Appointment delivers on City Council resolution
Mayor Sam Sullivan today welcomed the appointment of former British Columbia Attorney General Geoff Plant, Q.C. as Vancouver’s Civil City Commissioner. The appointment – confirmed yesterday by Vancouver’s City Manager – delivers on an important City Council decision regarding the implementation of Project Civil City.
“We have a tremendous opportunity to use the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games as a catalyst to solve the public disorder problems that affect our city,” said Mayor Sullivan. “On behalf of the City of Vancouver, I want to thank Mr. Plant for his commitment to help make the most of that opportunity.”
In December 2006, Mayor Sullivan presented a report on public disorder to City Council — referred to as Project Civil City. It was approved by Council and sets ambitious targets regarding homelessness, curbing the open drug market, reducing aggressive panhandling and increasing satisfaction with how public nuisance complaints are handled.
“I am committed to tackling the underlying root causes of Vancouver’s challenges, while also dealing with some of the more straightforward, public disorder issues that we are experiencing,” added Mr. Plant.
City Council approved $300,000 to establish an implementation office and hire a Civil City Commissioner to help achieve the targets that have been established.
Mayor Sullivan has established five goals for Vancouver; economic development; enhanced accountability; environmental sustainability & sustainable transportation; more civility in Vancouver neighborhoods; and support for arts & culture.
Additional announcements will be made in the coming days to help achieve these goals.
