In the News

by Jeff Lee, Vancouver Sun
Mayor Sam Sullivan is heading to Lausanne, Switzerland, for the first meeting of Olympic host cities in what is expected to be his last international trip as Vancouver’s mayor.
The Lausanne Summit is being attended by officials from former and current host cities, as well as those wishing to bid on Olympic Games.
Sullivan said he’ll use the summit to push for better organization of Paralympic Games, which he believes haven’t earned enough attention. “This is the first time Olympic cities have come together to discuss the impacts the Games have on them. I intend to use this to stress the need for higher focus on the Paralympics.”

Will talk with league boss in New York
by Marc Weber, The Province
Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan has some 2010 business to attend to, but he’s talking a little 2011 on the way.
En route to a meeting of Olympic city mayors in Switzerland, Sullivan is stopping off in New York today, in part to sit down with Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber.
The Vancouver Whitecaps are one of eight cities in the running for the 17th and 18th MLS franchises, to begin play in 2011. The deadline for application is next week and the league is expected to announce the successful candidate cities in late November or early 2009.

By Christina Montgomery, Vancouver Province
Lighting will play a big role in the public art displays that will transform Vancouver’s main streets during the 2010 Olympics.
And artists will have to move fast to take advantage of the $5.9 million available for what is likely to be the biggest art show in the city’s history.
Following city council’s vote Tuesday afternoon, the race was on to get proposals submitted and approved for works that are expected to be installed by late next year.
All of the works and installations will be paid for the the city.

By Derrick Penner, Vancouver Sun
The City of Vancouver will spend $8 million for a 60-day demonstration of a streetcar service to connect Granville Island and the Canada Line rapid transit station at Cambie Street during the 2010 Olympics and Paralympics.
Mayor Sam Sullivan unveiled plans for what is being dubbed the Olympic Line, with International Olympic Committee approval, Tuesday with hopes that the test will lead to establishment of the long-sought permanent streetcar network that would loop around to serve all of downtown to Stanley Park.

Becomes first major Canadian city to allow the zero-emission vehicles on city streets
By Frances Bula
Globe and Mail
Vancouver is about to become the first major Canadian city that allows manufactured electric cars on its streets.
That has local electric-car enthusiasts predicting that the city’s aggressive leadership will produce a rush to buy electric cars and spur manufacturers to push harder on developing and producing new models.
“Absolutely this is going to result in people buying and driving these cars here,” says Don Chandler, president of the Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association. “Vancouver has been very active on this issue and the grassroots swell of interest here is amazing.”
B.C. is already home to three manufacturers or importers of what are technically called “neighbourhood zero-emission vehicles.” Between that and the interest from buyers and affiliated industries, the province is a small hub of electric-car activism.

Mayor Sullivan sent the following letter to Union of BC Municipalities asking them to allow the leader of the BC Green Party to address the conference.