Fact sheet: Vancouver’s commitment to housing
New Units Planned in Vancouver:
The City has almost 500 new units of low-income housing becoming available over the next few years:
Council approves 311 system to improve service to citizens
New decision on operational costs will mean savings for taxpayers
Mayor Sam Sullivan today congratulated Council for moving forward on the implementation of a 311 system and consolidated citizen service centre for Vancouver.
311 will provide a single phone number for non-emergency municipal services and information, and will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in multiple languages. The system is also expected to result in more streamlined operations and potential cost savings for the City.
Mayor confirms private emergency clinic must comply with Canada Health Act
Mayor Sam Sullivan today expressed concern that a proposed new emergency clinic in Vancouver may not comply with federal or provincial legislation. "The enforcement of the Canada Health Act is…
Project Civil City tackles crime, public disorder and social issues in Vancouver
In an effort to tackle Vancouver’s crime and social issues, Mayor Sam Sullivan and Councillor Kim Capri today unveiled Project Civil City which is aimed at eliminating homelessness, aggressive panhandling and the open drug market, with a minimum 50 per cent reduction by 2010.
The comprehensive proposal was developed, in part, through: a series of roundtable discussions with more than 75 local community and business stakeholders; consultations with local service providers, the police, the local health authority as well as representatives from senior levels of government; and feedback from 2,469 Vancouverites through an online survey posted on the Mayor’s website.
Announcing Project Civil City
When I was elected as your Mayor, I asked the question: “What kind of city do you want the world to find in 2010?” In the months since, I have…
Project Civil City: Letter from Mayor Sullivan
Dear Citizens of Vancouver,
As your Mayor, I am pleased to present you with a framework for action to address the issue of public disorder in the City of Vancouver. I am bringing forward a proposal to City Council which sets out ambitious targets, describes our most pressing challenges, and introduces a number of potential solutions.
This initiative, entitled Project Civil City, was produced in partnership with Councillor Kim Capri, a trained criminologist with 20 years of experience and formerly Executive Director of the BC Crime Prevention Association, whom I have asked to take a lead role in Council on this major public policy issue.
Project Civil City, along with policy initiatives our Council is undertaking in the areas of economic development and the arts, is vital to the successful implementation of EcoDensity in the City of Vancouver. We want our citizens to choose to live in high-quality, ecodense neighbourhoods. This requires a commitment to minimize public nuisances and improve public order and community safety.
Put housing on the ballot in 2008
Sullivan proposes new regional solutions to GVRD Mayors
Mayor Sam Sullivan is calling on Mayors in the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) to put the issue of municipal funding for social housing on the ballot in the next civic election in 2008.
“If we are going to find long-term solutions to the housing crisis facing our region, it is clear we need to support a sustainable plan that will provide new funding for us to partner with the Province,” said Mayor Sullivan. “By putting a housing question on the ballot, we will give every citizen and business owner in the GVRD a chance to voice their support for our most vulnerable living throughout the region.
“Mayor Sullivan also highlighted several components of a motion that will be brought forward by Councillor Kim Capri at the next GVRD Housing Committee meeting. This includes the establishment of a new Provincial/Municipal Social Housing Protocol. This Protocol will serve to clarify what role, given the limited tax base of cities, municipalities can play to facilitate the development of social housing within their communities.
Mayor urges Vancouver residents and businesses to adhere to boil water advisory
Mayor Sam Sullivan today reminded residents and businesses that the boil-water advisory is still in effect for Vancouver, and will remain in effect until Vancouver Coastal Health and the Greater Vancouver Regional District deem the water to be safe again.
“The fact that our residents and businesses have to either buy bottled water or boil water is very unfortunate,” said Mayor Sullivan. “We realize this is causing inconvenience and hardship, especially for some businesses, and we hope the water advisory can be lifted soon. Meanwhile, we hope people who are buying bottled water will consider the needs of other citizens. There have been media reports of some shoppers hoarding water and not leaving enough supply for others.”
BACKGROUNDER: Mayor’s Survey on Public Disorder
City of Vancouver, Office of the Mayor
November 2006
SUMMARY OF RESULTS
On September 22, 2006, Mayor Sam Sullivan launched a survey about public disorder in the City of Vancouver, posted on his website www.samsullivan.ca. In just a matter of days, hundreds of Vancouver citizens had logged on to provide their views on issues such as aggressive panhandling, littering, open drug use and noise infractions. The survey closed November 1, 2006, with a total of 2,469 responses received. Based on the results, it is clear that many Vancouverites feel that our City has a serious public disorder problem and that action must be taken.
Of the almost 2,500 people who completed the survey, 1,909 people took the time to provide specific comments or observations based on their own personal experience or their perceptions of the conditions in their neighbourhoods. Below is a summary of survey responses as well as some of the specific themes and ideas that emerged from the public feedback.
Immediate action needed to address public disorder: Mayor’s survey
Mayor Sam Sullivan today released the results of an informal web poll which reveals that Vancouverites are seeking immediate action to reverse the trend of increasing public disorder on the streets of the City.
The Mayor’s survey, which was posted from September 22 through November 1, 2006, at www.samsullivan.ca, drew a total of 2,469 responses. Of those, 1,909 citizens took time to provide detailed comments and ideas to combat disorderly conduct such as aggressive panhandling, open drug use, littering, and noise infractions.
“The people of Vancouver have spoken clearly: they feel that our City has a serious public disorder problem and that action must be taken,” Mayor Sullivan said. “This web survey and a series of community roundtable meetings I have conducted over the past six months have strengthened my resolve to find long-term, sustainable solutions that will restore order and civility on our streets.”