Say what you will about Rich Coleman, the brusque, no-nonsense Minister of Housing and Social Development, he's a rare guy in government unafraid to tell it like it is. Or at least how he believes it is. He also seems able to get things done, without bogging down in the mire of bureaucratic bafflegab.
Forget the fact he's a former security cop and once worked in real estate. Hey, I used to be a TV reporter.
Mr. Coleman has been in the news this week over his tough-love wish for ways to force recalcitrant homeless people into shelters during periods of "extreme weather." This, apparently, is a bad thing to do. Much better to leave them sleeping on the street where their Charter rights can be protected by freezing to death.
Of course, the issue is not as clear cut as that. Civil libertarians have raised legitimate concerns, and the real answer is more and better shelters, not to mention social housing.
But that doesn't make the minister some evil gent with horns who wants only to cleanse the streets of Vancouver for the coming Olympics. It's not enough, but Mr. Coleman's ministry has done a lot since he took over the housing portfolio, in particular the remarkable purchase of 23 single-room occupancy buildings (SROs) in Vancouver for renovation into decent social-housing units.
He seems to have got religion on housing. Listen to his heartfelt description in the legislature of the recently reopened Backpackers Inn on the Downtown Eastside.
"When we bought it, it was one of the worst buildings I ever walked into. It was grungy. It stunk of urine and vomit. It had rats. It had other bugs and vermin. It was a place you'd never, ever, think another human being should have to live."
As he left, Mr. Coleman thought: "Boy, we've really bought a dog on this one." He expected it to be torn down.
Instead, after $400,000 in renovations, people like Moe Spiers have moved from temporary shelters into the SRO's spartan but livable rooms. Mr. Spiers told the minister that his new home has made all the difference in his life. "He's over the moon," Mr. Coleman informed the legislature.
The minister singled out groups like the Portland Hotel Society for their role in running the renovated hotels. "They bring the heart and soul that nobody can put into these buildings ... because they care about the people that move in."
As a final bonus, the minister revealed a little-known warrior in the fight against the dreaded bed bug: algae. You put this "microscopically thin, razor sharp" algae between the walls, see, and the bed bugs then cut themselves up on the algae. "So the bugs do not survive," according to Mr. Coleman. Insect mayhem. Who knew?
Quietly, or maybe not so quietly, Mr. Coleman has emerged as a major contender to replace the current Premier, if he ever steps down for more time to feed his admirable, eclectic reading appetite.
Provincial power play
Mayor Gregor Robertson seems to have fallen under Mr. Coleman's sway. A recent announcement on social housing for Little Mountain was topped by the province's huge sunrise logo (British Columbia, The Best Place on Earth), followed by a minuscule City of Vancouver notation. Not hard to figure out who called the shots on that one.
Right to know? Hardy-har
Next week has been officially proclaimed "Right to Know" week in the province. The royal proclamation, signed by Attorney-General Mike de Jong and Lieutenant-Governor Steven Point, refers to the five happy days as "a celebration of the right of British Columbians to access information [that]will promote citizen participation in the process of governance ..." Who says the Liberals don't have a sense of humour? Laugh? I thought I would die.
Protesters don't ice team
Two terrific new community ice rinks opened on the east side of Vancouver - Trout Lake and Killarney. Strangely, there were no anti-Olympic protesters on hand, despite the fact that VANOC contributed $5-million in cold hard cash to the buildings. Whatever happened to that ringing slogan: "No community arenas on stolen native land?"
Panned professions
Good news for reporters. Sure, the public thinks funeral directors are more honest and ethical than we knights and dames of the keyboards, but a multitude of professions are ranked even lower by Canadians, a survey by the Nanos Research group has found. Who are these Hall of Shamers? Think politicians, lawyers, bankers, real-estate agents, business executives, stock brokers, labour leaders (sigh) and particularly, car salesmen. Makes a fella proud.