In the News

Mayor Sam Sullivan is calling upon Council to support an initiative from Councillor Suzanne Anton that aims to put significantly more taxis on the road in Vancouver, as well as improve the sustainability and accessibility of the taxi fleet in the City.

In order to have a significant number of new taxi permits in place by the 2007 tourist season, Councillor Anton is asking City staff and the Vancouver Taxi Roundtable to begin immediately working on recommendations for:

• Issuing new permits in 2007, as well as recommendations on additional permits from 2008 through 2010, in order to address the current shortage of taxis in Vancouver;
• Improving the process for issuing the permits, including fees;
• Increasing the accessibility of the taxi fleet for persons with disabilities, for the new permits issued in 2007 and over the long term; and,
• Achieving compatibility of the taxi fleet with the goals of the City’s Community Climate Change action plan.

The City of Vancouver’s 2006 Remembrance Day ceremonies will be held on:

Saturday, November 11, 2006 at 10:30 a.m.
Cenotaph at Victory Square
West Hastings Street, between Cambie and Hamilton

These ceremonies, which include a wreath laying to honour those who gave their lives in the service of our country, will mark the 61st anniversary of the end of World War Two, and the 88th anniversary of the First World War Armistice.

Mayor Sam Sullivan applauded Council’s decision tonight to improve the City’s advisory bodies, noting that the new framework will increase the role of citizen volunteers, better align their work with City priorities and provide new funds for community outreach.
As part of the changes to advisory committees, Council established the following priorities which will be considered by all citizen advisory bodies as they create work plans for their committees through 2008:

A group that develops and delivers innovative peace programs and a long-time advocate for immigrants and refugees are this year’s recipients of the City of Vancouver’s Cultural Harmony Awards.

Mayor Sam Sullivan is planning to support a series of recommendations proposed by Councillor B.C. Lee that will serve to increase the role of advisory bodies, better align their mandate with Council priorities and provide them with additional financial resources to conduct their activities.
“I am proud of what our advisory bodies have done and continue to do in helping to shape City policy,” said Mayor Sullivan. “That’s why I have taken the time to carefully review the recommendations outlined in the May Brown Report and will support Councillor Lee’s recommendations to strengthen the role of our advisory committees.”