SAVE OUR STREETSCOMMUNITIES DRIVING CHANGE FORUM
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue
580 W Hastings St., Vancouver, B.C.
On Thursday, January 23, Save Our Streets (SOS) held the day-long Communities Driving Change Forum at the Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue in Vancouver.
With crime, violence and street disorder plaguing communities large and small across British Columbia, it’s time for British Columbians to consider an evidence-based approach to how we’re addressing these issues. The Forum featured professionally moderated, non-partisan and future-focused panel discussions on topics such as Judicial Reform and Resources, Policing Reform and Resources, Addictions and Mental Illnesses continuum of care, and The Role of Housing.
Addressing these key issues were subject matter experts and keynote speakers with a wide range of perspectives and experience, including representatives from the judiciary, prosecutor service, defense attorneys, police forces, addictions and mental illnesses specialists and researchers, academics and housing advocates. Joining them were community and business representatives from throughout B.C., as well as elected officials from all levels of government to discuss solutions to these serious community and societal issues.
The time is now for British Columbians to re-evaluate where we are on these important issues, set aside our political differences and develop collaborative, evidence-based approaches and solutions that can serve as a new model for addressing these issues in B.C. and beyond. The Communities Driving Change Forum was an important step in that process.
Clint MahlmanPresident and COO of London DrugsCo-founder and Chair, Save Our StreetsCMahlman@londondrugs.com
Jess KetchumPresident, Ketchum Communications Ltd.Co-founder, Save Our Streetsjketchum@direct.ca
Panel One
Justice for All: Challenges and Choices
- Jas Johal, CKNW (Moderator)
- Honourable Wally Oppal, K.C., Senior Counsel, Boughton Law, former judge and B.C. Attorney General
- Christina J. Cook, Senior Policy Lawyer, BC First Nations Justice Council
- Leonard Krog, Mayor, City of Nanaimo, and former MLA
- Adam Dalrymple, President, B.C. Crown Counsel Association
Panel Two
Policing and Public Safety: Options and Opportunities in Changing Times
- Simi Sara, CKNW (Moderator)
- Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, Commanding Officer, BC RCMP
- Chief Adam Palmer, Chief Constable, Vancouver Police Department
- Kash Heed, Councillor, City of Richmond, former West Vancouver Police Chief, and former Solicitor General
- Chief Norm Lipinski, Chief Constable, Surrey Police Service
