As homelessness becomes a bigger issue in Metro Vancouver, a workshop is targeting businesses in the region to help them deal with the effects. Sandy Burpee, the former chair of the Tri-Cities Homelessness and Housing Task Force, said the origins for the workshop come from a meeting with an RCMP liason officer. Burpee, of Coquitlam, said the liason officer said businesses in the Tri-Cities — Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, and Port Moody — were increasingly concerned about the proliferation of panhandling in the area. Burpee completed his own survey of businesses, especially those near a homeless shelter in Coquitlam at 3030 Gordon Street. Burpee, who was recently awarded a Community Spirit Award from the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce for his work on homelessness, is working with the Port Coquitlam Business Improvement Association as well as a colleague who has experienced homelessness before for Wednesday's workshop.

Source: CBC News February 14, 2019 02:26 UTC