VICTORIA, BC, November 13, 2020 – On November 12, 2020, Stephen Dorsey a Vic High alumni, and also the co-founder of the Friends of Vic High (FOVH),  addressed Victoria City Council on the issue of systemic, social inequality and the need for equity in institutional and governmental decision making.

Mr. Dorsey had initially asked to address council on the pending OCP, Rezoning, and Development Permit Application related to the land for monies lease controversy involving Victoria High School land, land that had for years been set aside as part of an overall revitalization project for the school’s Memorial Stadium.

Mr. Dorsey’s initial request to speak directly on the issue was denied due to stated procedural rules and as such, he re-submitted a request to speak about the broader issues of systemic, social inequalities that have for decades, negatively impacted disadvantaged youths at Victoria High School.

Although not directly mentioned in his address last night, Mr. Dorsey is working with his FOVH colleagues to shed light on the previously undisclosed land use plans that now threaten the buildout of the standard, 8-lane metric track for Vic High’s Memorial Stadium Revitalization Project – a key element of the much-publicized project championed by the Vic High Alumni since 2013. These plans became known to the public only by Freedom of Information requests and were not disclosed to the public during consultations about Vic High land use.

The FOVH is asking the City of Victoria to deny the rezoning application due to their prior commitment and support to Vic High students and the community it serves -  to retain the land for the envisioned athletic facilities. More details on the issue can be found on the FOVH website at https://www.vichighsaee.ca/

“The lack of transparency that now threatens the promised  Memorial Stadium revitalization plans is appalling, and another example of how Vic High often gets the short end of the stick. We want this to stop with all parties keeping their promise to current and future students”, commented Esther Callo, co-founder of the FOVH.

The full transcript of Mr. Dorsey’s address follows. The audio recording can also be accessed at this link. https://www.dropbox.com/s/m4ihjvf78p514vc/VictoriaCityCouncilAdress_FOVH.wav?dl=0

“Your Worship Mayor Help and Council

Thank you for the opportunity to address you today on the issues of equity and equality.

In the midst of a historic pandemic, our civil society has also had an awakening around the issues of systemic inequalities that affect Black Canadians, people of colour and of course, our Indigenous brothers and sisters. As a bi-racial, Black Canadian - systemic inequalities have directly impacted my life.
Today, progressive-minded Canadians are being asked to do more than just decry the systemic inequalities in our society, but to stand up and take action to help effect the change necessary to eliminate them.
In Victoria, inequality also includes systemic classism– an unfortunate holdover from our colonial past. Social inequality affects several demographics, not the least –young people from the lower middle class and immigrant households – many of whom are disadvantaged simply because of where they live, the economic status of their parents, and where they attend school.
The majority of students in Victoria are in the public-school system. Those with means have the right to choose private education of course but to have BC taxpayers subsidize this “privileged” education to the tune of up to $500 million dollars a year is a travesty.  These limited funds should instead be used to shore up a public school system in dire need of resources.
The social inequalities also extend to the City’s public-school system. In the Greater Victoria school region, we have seen how systemic policy-making and preferential, budget allocations decisions have unfairly advantaged some schools while neglecting others.
I graduated from Vic High in 1984. Then and in the nearly four decades since, it’s obvious to most observers that Vic High’s needs have not been prioritized. As a foster child growing up in the then lower-middle-class neighbourhood of Fairfield, it was evident to my classmates and me that schools like Mt. Doug and Oak Bay were supported more favourably from the inside out – a reality that has seemingly continued to this day.
For decades, Vic High’s learning environments have been falling apart - sub-par compared to other schools, including the athletic facilities that have been left to degenerate to the point of being unusable for safety reasons and not meeting competitive standards. The seismic upgrade of the historic building is a noted recent exception, but only for the fact that vocal critics including myself stood in opposition to the forces wanting to demolish this impressive heritage building.

In contrast, schools like Oak Bay have benefited from bountiful resources over the decades, including receiving funds to build “college like athletic facilities” and other infrastructure to support sports academies and artistic programs - the Municipality of Oak Bay alone donating $1M towards the construction of a live theatre space for the benefit of students and the community.
Why are Vic High students deprived of the same resources and facilities that students at other schools in the Greater Victoria region take for granted?

What message are we sending to these disadvantaged youth at a time when they should be supported, encouraged, and feel like they have equality of opportunity? Why are our leaders continuing to perpetuate and normalize these inequalities?
Imagine if the parents of children going to Oak Bay were asked to send their kids to Vic High instead? They would dismiss this premise outright because they know that attending Vic High would disadvantage their children and potentially put their future at risk.

Having all schools in the Greater Victoria region provide equal resources and facilities for optimum learning in the public system should be priority number one.

To begin to eliminate social inequalities in Victoria, you as leaders must ensure that equality and equity are considered and central in both the formulation of the policies you put forth and in your support of decisions made by your public and private partners. 

I understand the challenges you face in balancing the urgent needs of today while building for the future. I challenge you to believe in the power of the AND vs the OR. It is possible to achieve win-win outcomes if you are determined to do so. Some of that power is within your control.

In 1914, community leaders invested in building an inspirational place of learning - the Vic High school we know today.  In 1950 a new generation of leaders invested in Vic High’s Memorial Stadium- a tribute to those students and faculty that served in World War Two.
Notable alumni like Stew Smith, one of the world's top particle physicists, Mohammed Elewonibi, Superbowl champion, and Richard Hunt, one of Canada’s most renowned Indigenous artists, all benefited from immersion in athletics at Memorial Stadium.
In 2014, the City of Victoria wholeheartedly supported Vic High’s Memorial Stadium Revitalization project committing up to $250,000 in matching funding to support what was touted as a modern, multi-sport facility built to competitive standards, that would serve students and the community.  Everyone, including myself, saw this as a positive step towards reconciliation for decades of inequality.
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In 2020, we found out that this promise has seemingly been broken by our institutional leaders -   dealing another blow to our hopes for fairness and equity.

This council has the power to put Vic High students first - providing them with an even playing field and access to equal opportunity. I urge you to make that choice – to take a small but important step toward making Victoria a more just society.
The current and future students of Vic High are counting on you. Thank you.”