Mayor Welcomes Positive Vancouver Rankings

Posted inIn the News

Global & domestic reports reinforce city’s reputation as a great place to work and live: Sullivan

Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan today welcomed the findings of two reports that will enhance Vancouver’s reputation as one of the best places in the world to work and live. The 2007 Cascadia Scorecard and 2007 MasterCard Worldwide Centres of Commerce Index have recognized Vancouver as a global and domestic leader in urban planning and ease of doing business.

“The five goals we have established for Vancouver are focused on improving our quality of life,” said Mayor Sullivan. “Over the past 18 months we have introduced measures to reduce urban sprawl and improve access to municipal services for local businesses. These reports suggest we are making progress.”

Easy living, easy business in Vancouver

Posted inIn the News

By Tavia Grant
The Globe and Mail
Vancouver, a city best known for laid-back living and soggy weather, is the easiest place in the world to do business, a global study of 50 cities says.
The West Coast city, along with Toronto and Montreal, were top three in the world in that category because of a “strong national health-care system, excellent infrastructure, low traffic and easy access to public transportation,” according to MasterCard International Inc.’s first annual ranking of global cities, to be released today.

Marking the mid-term of our mandate

Posted inSam's Blog

Greetings from City Hall! This week marks the mid-term of our mandate, and I’d like to share with you a progress report. In my State of the City address last January, I outlined a set of Five Goals to guide my government’s service to its citizens.

The Five Goals for a Better Vancouver are:

  • Becoming a world leader in environmental practices & sustainable transportation
  • Developing the strongest local & regional economy in Canada
  • Ensuring civility on our streets & compassionate solutions to challenging social issues
  • Ensuring that Vancouver is the most accessible & inclusive city in Canada
  • Making Vancouver a premiere destination for the celebration of arts, culture & heritage

We are making real progress on the issues residents care about most – including housing, the economy, the environment and celebrating our culture & heritage. We have established a strong foundation for more achievement and success in Vancouver’s future.

Since the State of the City address, there have been many positive developments in support of the Five Goals. These include:

  • Helping to secure one of the largest affordable housing investments in Vancouver history – in partnership with BC Premier Gordon Campbell. Approximately 1300 permanent, transitional and sheltered housing units will be established for vulnerable people suffering from mental illness and addiction;
  • Hiring former BC Attorney General Geoff Plant as the new Civil City Commissioner;
  • Launching the EcoDensity Initiative with our first public consultations on what kind of sustainable city we want to see. EcoDensity demonstrates our willingness to undertake the political challenge of actively supporting and encouraging increased density in Vancouver, while maintaining the liveability our city is known for;
  • Voting to freeze taxes on Vancouver’s small businesses to 2006 rates, and sending a message that Vancouver is a place where small businesses can thrive and succeed;
  • Approving a $60 million upgrade of the city’s civic theatres – including Queen Elizabeth Theatre, and approving bonuses for redevelopment of Vancouver Playhouse production facilities.

Additional announcements regarding the Five Goals are expected in the coming weeks. You can read a summary of achievements related to each of the Five Goals, which are linked below.

I want to thank all City Councillors, staff, and citizens of Vancouver for their hard work and participation in the on-going community dialogue. It is their effort and dedication that helps set the stage for an exciting and successful second half of our term.

Sam Sullivan

Mayor Sam Sullivan

Community Events for June 2007

Posted inIn the News
BARD ON THE BEACH May 31, 2007 to Sept 23, 2007 Location: Vanier Park bardonthebeach.org PORTUGUESE HERITAGE MONTH June 1, 2007 to June 30, 2007 Location: Various Venues portuguesemonth.com VANCOUVER…

Grassroots take up the challenge

Posted inIn the News

By Mary Teresa Bitti
National Post
Save the environment. Save the planet. From coast to coast, local governments and citizen groups are taking up the challenge to build sustainable communities and in the process taking environmental stewardship into their own hands to lessen the burden on the planet.
“It has historically always been municipalities that have led the way with programs and initiatives that have been very innovative and progressive,” says Jed Goldberg, president of Earth Day Canada.
“The federal government has been slow in reacting and so municipalities continue to carry the load.”
From introducing rural virtues into high-density urban centres to putting rainwater and wind power to work, cities are leading the way to a healthier planet.

Mayor to Convene Four Pillars Coalition

Posted inIn the News

Progress report, national drug strategy and supervised injection site extension to be discussed

Mayor Sam Sullivan today announced his intention to convene the City of Vancouver’s Four Pillars Coalition for a strategic planning session next month. Today’s announcement is further to the Mayor’s commitment to introduce new consultation measures for the second half of his first mandate.

“Finding compassionate solutions to the social challenges we face and being the most inclusive local government in Canada are two of the five goals I have established for my government. Today’s announcement will help achieve these goals.” said Mayor Sullivan. “The Four Pillars Coalition has been a tremendous resource for the City of Vancouver and I look forward to working with them in the months ahead.”

Mayor & Councillors Mark Mid-Term of Mandate

Posted inIn the News

Summary of achievement sets the stage for future success: New consultations announced

Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan today marked the mid-term of his first mandate with a summary of achievements. Mayor Sullivan was sworn into office 18 months ago on December 5, 2005.

“We are making real progress on the issues residents care about most – including housing, the economy, the environment and celebrating our culture & heritage,” said Mayor Sullivan. “I want to thank all Vancouver Councillors and City Staff for their hard work. We have established a strong foundation for more achievement and success in the future.”