During the lead-up to Easter Sunday, we began a one-month trial of having a security guard at the Cathedral. While we communicated directly with individual ministries affected by this change, we did not broadcast the decision to the general congregation through the Chronicle. We recognize that this should have been shared more broadly in advance, and we will ensure that future operational changes of this kind are communicated more clearly and promptly.

The daytime security program was introduced in part because employers in British Columbia have legal responsibilities regarding workplace health and safety. The WorkSafe BC website states:

“Whether a business is large or small, the law requires that it be a safe and healthy place to work. If you are an employer, it is your responsibility to ensure a physically and psychologically healthy and safe workplace.” (WorkSafe BC, n.d.)

The Cathedral also has a moral responsibility to our volunteers, and especially to our Greeters.

The tone of the downtown core has shifted since 2020. We are witnessing the effects of increased substance use within the community. While substance use in and around the Cathedral grounds is not new, the impacts on individuals appear to be changing.

Our staff, greeting teams and members each have their own levels of comfort when interacting with individuals who may be under the influence of a substance. We are not all the same—and that is okay.

On May 6th we made the decision to extend our initial trial period through the summer, to encompass the World Cup and tourist season, so you will continue to see a security presence around the Cathedral.

We’d like to hear your thoughts about how this decision may impact your experience of the Cathedral. If you wish, please complete a short questionnaire to share your feedback. The link will be included in the May 7th and 14th editions of the Chronicle.

Reference

Worksafe BC. (n.d.). Roles, rights & responsibilities.
https://www.worksafebc.com/en/health-safety/create-manage/rights-responsibilities