Posts by samadmin

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) released a national report on federal policing. It concludes that municipal property taxpayers in Canada are subsidizing federal law enforcement activities to the tune of more than $500 million/year.

Towards Equity and Efficiency in Policing (pdf) shows municipalities have seen their share of RCMP contract policing costs rise dramatically over the last 20 years – while municipal police forces have had to take on more traditional federal enforcement roles. In Vancouver this means requirements associated with:

• port policing
• 2010 preparations & Olympic Security
• international drug trade
• cyber crime
• human trafficking
• non-returnable warrants (Con Air)

The $500 million estimate is the value the FCM places on the amount of time municipal police officers spend enforcing federal laws or mandates – based on the $5 billion spent by municipal governments on police services each year.

By Jessica Werb
Georgia Straight
The month of June was declared “CBC Radio Orchestra Month” by councillor Elizabeth Ball, reading a proclamation from Mayor Sam Sullivan at a rally on May 24 in support of the orchestra.
The event, which took place on the north side of the Vancouver Art Gallery, was attended by approximately 300 supporters, and featured speeches by Bard on the Beach artistic director Christopher Gaze, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra conductor Bramwell Tovey, renowned bassoonist George Zukerman, and local blues legend Jim Byrnes, among others.

Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Don Lee, a former City Councillor and Vancouver School Board Trustee.
“It was with great sadness that I learned over the weekend that Vancouver School Board Trustee Don Lee has passed away.
On behalf of my colleagues at City Council, Park and School Boards, Lynn and I want to extend our sincere regrets to Don’s family and friends – particularly his wife Sally.
One of the reasons Vancouver is one of the world’s best cities is because of the contribution of Don Lee.

During his 2008 “State of the City” address in January, Mayor Sam Sullivan identified a number of priorities for the coming year. One of the most important was to secure the future of BC Place Stadium for generations to come. Shortly after that speech, Vancouver Council approved a comprehensive plan – and today the next major step was announced.
Mayor Sullivan joined Premier Campbell and other community leaders at BC Place this morning to unveil plans for a major renovation of the Stadium – including construction of a retractable roof after 2010. The proposal will:

• expand the city’s sport, culture & entertainment district
• feature a new home for the Vancouver Whitecaps
• provide a waterfront site for a new Vancouver Art Gallery

The following Health Canada news release is linked here.
The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health was joined by City of Vancouver Mayor Mr. Sam Sullivan to announce new treatment services that will help to treat individuals living in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
A total of $10 million in federal funding will be provided over five years, and the program will be implemented in partnership with the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, an agency of the British Columbia government. Minister Clement and British Columbia’s Health Minister George Abbott are finalizing the agreement for implementation of these new services.
“As part of the National Anti-Drug Strategy’s Treatment Action Plan, this new initiative will provide improved treatment for individuals living in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside,” said Minister Clement. “These services will include an Assertive Community Treatment team of professionals, and 20 new treatment beds dedicated to vulnerable female drug addicts.”