Goal: A world leader in environmental practices & sustainable transportation

Posted inIn the News

To preserve our health and quality of life, we have made environmental leadership one of our five goals. Mayor Sullivan and Councillor Suzanne Anton have introduced the new concept of EcoDensity to reduce urban sprawl and minimize Vancouver’s environmental footprint.

EcoDensity further establishes Vancouver as a global leader in urban planning. It recognizes land use planning as an environmental tool that cities control exclusively.

The plan will help establish green building standards, improve public transportation and increase access to quality amenities and services.

Goal: Develop the strongest local & regional economy in Canada

Posted inIn the News

While challenges exist, Vancouver’s economy continues to exhibit many positive trends. Employment has reached 30 year highs and construction continues to drive growth to 2010 and beyond.

Mayor Sullivan and Councillor Peter Ladner have worked to ensure Vancouver maintains a strong financial position by supporting the development of tight fiscal controls and freezing business taxes.

Goal: Ensuring civility on our streets & developing compassionate solutions to challenging social issues

Posted inIn the News

City Council is working hard to address our community’s most difficult challenges. We will continue to provide leadership and work in partnership with senior levels of government to deliver positive change for all our citizens.
Mayor Sullivan & Councillor Kim Capri have introduced Project Civil City to reduce aggressive panhandling, homelessness and the open drug market while increasing access to supportive housing.

Goal: Most accessible & inclusive City in Canada

Posted inIn the News

The comprehensive public involvement plans around EcoDensity & Project Civil City demonstrate our commitment to making Vancouver the most inclusive and accessible local government in Canada.

Over the past 18 months, Mayor Sullivan, Councillors and City Staff have participated in hundreds of meetings and thousands of hours of community consultation to develop municipal policies. More is on the way.

Mayor Sullivan and Councillor BC Lee will initiate new consultation to complete the second half of the mandate regarding Olympic & Paralympic celebrations, Millennium Line completion, G.L.B.T. community, youth involvement and climate change.

Goal: Making Vancouver a premiere destination for the celebration of arts, culture & heritage

Posted inIn the News

Vancouver’s aging arts infrastructure is in need of repair and replacement. When compared to cities such as Toronto and Montreal that have received millions of federal dollars in the last decade to revitalize their theatres and cultural institutions, it is clear we have much work to do.

In addition to promoting the economy, supporting arts and culture represents an investment in our multicultural, Aboriginal and community heritage.

With 2010 approaching, Mayor Sullivan & Councillor Elizabeth Ball will be working to capitalize on this opportunity to showcase Vancouver’s best to the world.

EcoDensity: Vancouver city hall concerns shift dramatically

Posted inIn the News

Regulators will be asking developers what their proposals will contribute to helping save the planet
By Bob Ransford
Vancouver Sun
Vancouver may not be leading the way in sustainable urban development, but the city is poised to make up ground in the race to sustainability at a rapid pace.
There’s a new era in urban development rapidly dawning in Vancouver. It’s one where our individualistic and hedonistic obsession with the lifestyle pleasures of our special natural setting will be replaced with a collective serious concern for sustaining the ecosystems that are at the heart of our natural environment. The “eco” part of Mayor Sam Sullivan’s nifty brand name for new urban growth — EcoDensity — is taking on a real meaning under the leadership of Brent Toderian, Vancouver’s new director of planning.

Mayor Supports Proposed Measures to Strengthen Vancouver Port Operations

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Resolutions support goal of stronger economy: Sullivan

Mayor Sam Sullivan today announced he will support measures being proposed to strengthen Vancouver Port operations. Vancouver Councillor Kim Capri has proposed three City Council resolutions for discussion and vote this month.

“Strengthening Vancouver’s economic performance is one of the goals I have established for my government,” said Mayor Sullivan. “The resolutions being proposed will enhance international competitiveness, improve governance and increase security. I will be encouraging my colleagues to support these measures.”

Riverview is not the only choice

Posted inIn the News

Tri-City News
With less than 1,000 days to go before B.C. welcomes the world for the 2010 Winter Olympics, anxious officials are starting to wonder if the region’s homelessness problem won’t overshadow the celebrations.
Some critics have even speculated there could be more homeless bedding down in the streets than athletes marching into BC Place on opening night. The thought of legions of homeless freezing in doorways, sleeping in tents or crowding into shelters has some top politicians, including Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan and Premier Gordon Campbell, wondering aloud if closing Riverview wasn’t a bad move.

Can’t sweep mentally ill under rug: advocate

Posted inIn the News

By Sarah Payne The Tri-City News
A Port Coquitlam-based mental health support organization has responded with some skepticism to the possibility of re-opening Riverview Hospital.
Gisela Theurer, director of rehabilitation for the New View Society, said staff members had “mixed feelings” about the suggestion from Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan that some 1,500 mentally ill homeless people be housed at Riverview.
While it was greeted as a positive way to provide short-term recovery services, Theurer said any plans to re-open Riverview would have to come with strategies to transition clients to long-term, supported housing.