How to bring the same amount of energy and resources that went into the Olympics to the problem of solving homelessness in Vancouver? That was the subject of a panel last night at the First United Church on Hastings. And although the mayor showed up, missing were many of the key public officials who could be pivotal in making this happen: Premier Gordon Campbell, for instance.

The key point, one observer said, was the initiative and how it fit in with precisely what various community groups have been saying for years. The next important point was that the mayor of the city hosting the Games and one of the strongest opponents of the Olympics were both there to support the initiative. But the fact that lots of local politicos were not there and why… NDP to position themselves for future campaigns, Libs to duck the issue….may have been the most important fact of all…

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