Sam’s Blog

I hope you are looking forward to a safe and enjoyable long weekend. Canada Day is one of the most special holidays of the year. That is why City Council has agreed to support an investment in the Canada Day Fireworks for the second year in a row. This celebration will kick off another wonderful summer season of community celebrations around Vancouver. It promises to be a record year for special events in our city.

City Hall Progress Report

This past week was a busy one for us at City Council. Further to previous reports, I want to update you on some of the progress we are making on a number of important issues, including:

I am preparing this update as I have just returned from Hong Kong with a delegation of community leaders and the Vancouver Board of Trade. We had a very successful visit that allowed us to strengthen our economic relationship, share best practices and promote Vancouver in advance of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

In this report, please find updates on a number of the important issues our government is working on for you:

• Crime & Safety – Beach Patrol, Entertainment District, Con-Air
• Securing the future of BC Place & Vancouver Art Gallery
• $10 million for drug treatment & outreach services
• 2008 Beijing Paralympic Torch Relay
• EcoDensity update
• BC Children’s Hospital motion passes!

Thank you again for your ongoing interest in all these issues. As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me with your thoughts and ideas.

Yours truly,

Sam Sullivan
MAYOR

Over the past week, we have introduced a series of measures that will help improve the quality of life for children and families in Vancouver.

• Vancouver Children’s Hospital Capital Campaign
• More Access to Quality Daycare & Less Red Tape
• Sustainability Pledge
• Other News
  • Collaboration for Change
  • Hong Kong Visit

Vancouver Children’s Hospital Capital Campaign

Last Monday, we introduced a plan to support the current Vancouver Children’s Hospital capital campaign through a special partnership with the Sunny Hill Foundation for Children.

The Children’s Hospital is planning to invest almost $500 million dollars to establish a state of the art medical facility in Vancouver – located within close proximity of the new Canada Line.

The partnership is focused on land owned by Sunny Hill at 3644 Slocan Street in Vancouver.

Further to recent progress reports, and in light of the fact citizens around the world are celebrating Earth Day this week, I am writing to update you on some of the measures we are taking to ensure the City of Vancouver it doing its part to protect the environment. In this report we are featuring:

• Earth Day Sustainability Pledge
• Green Legislation – Bill 27
• Volunteer Participation – Keep Vancouver Spectacular!
• EcoDensity Update
• Fact Sheet: Well-planned Density Can Help Save our Planet

Sustainability Pledge – Earth Day

Better urban planning and increased density can help save our planet – and in the face of rising energy prices – make our economy more competitive.

Further to recent progress reports and the Five Goals we have established for our government, I am writing to update you on some recent announcements. In this report we are featuring:

• $10 million to improve Gastown, Chinatown, Strathcona and Japantown
• New Funding for Housing Projects
• UBC/Vancouver Integration
• More Buses for Vancouver

Great Beginnings: Old Streets, New Pride

In February, I submitted a proposal to the provincial government regarding Vancouver’s participation in BC’s 150th anniversary. The goal was to support our Project Civil City goals by recapturing the vibrancy of Vancouver’s founding neighbourhoods – Gastown, Granville, Chinatown, Japantown and Strathcona. The plan is called Great Beginnings: Old Streets, New Pride.