I am writing to update you on progress in meeting the goals we have established for our government. One of our top priorities after the last election was to improve relations with senior levels of government.
It is very important to Vancouver’s success that the Government of Canada, Province of BC and City of Vancouver are working together to address current policy challenges and opportunities.
I am pleased to report we are doing that – with success.
Since my last communiqué, both provincial and federal governments have introduced their 2008 Budgets. Many of the measures announced respond to our goals.
Federal Budget
Last month, we presented a submission to the federal government identifying the City of Vancouver’s budget priorities. Many of these were acted on by the federal Minister of Finance in the budget they introduced this week:
- funding for new police officers
- investment to address mental illness – including specific funding for the Downtown Eastside
- long-term infrastructure funding
- investments in regional transportation
- support for 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games
I want to thank the federal government for their ongoing support for Vancouver priorities. While we did not get everything we were looking for in the federal budget, there are a number of significant steps forward – particularly related to new funding for police.
Yesterday, City Council approved a motion asking the BC government to accelerate discussions with the federal government regarding these new officers. The is to make sure we receive our fair share of funding in Vancouver and that resources are directed to officers on the street.
British Columbia’s share of the new federal investment is estimated to be $53 million. An equitable distribution of these funds would see $13 million allocated to the City of Vancouver for police recruitment.
In addition to securing these funds, we will continue to work with the federal government in the coming months to address the Olympic security budget and ensure the federal government maintains a role in social housing.
Provincial Budget
In October, our government presented a submission to the BC Minister of Finance identifying the City of Vancouver’s budget priorities. Many of these were acted on by the provincial government in the budget they introduced earlier this month, including:
- significant investments in arts and culture – including new funding to support Vancouver Art Gallery and Science World
- more investment in social & supportive housing
- new investments to address chronic mental illness
- increased funding for buses & rapid transit
- investment in community infrastructure – including new funding for the Vancouver East Cultural Centre
- tax policy changes in favour of car sharing
- rewards for fuel efficient vehicles
- support for BC Arts Council
- increased investment for immigrant settlement
I want to thank the provincial government for their ongoing support for Vancouver priorities. We will continue to work with them in the coming months to address the municipal fiscal imbalance, increase resources for municipal police and the UBC Rapid Transit Line.
Mayor meets IOC President in Vancouver
Clr B.C. Lee, IOC President Jacques Rogge, Mayor Sullivan & Clr Anton before a model of the Olympic Village at S.E. False Creek
In was an honour to welcome the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Jacques Rogge to Vancouver this week. Mr. Rogge and I toured the Olympic Athletes Village development at Southeast False Creek.
In addition to being very impressed with the progress we are making, the President was pleased to see the Olympic Village will be an international model for green building standards when it is complete. He was also very supportive of our plans to secure employment opportunities for inner city residents on the site.
When the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are complete, 33% of the Olympic Village will be available for social and affordable rental housing. It will also house a vibrant new community centre.
At the conclusion of his visit, President Rogge commended the work being done here by VANOC and its partners – including the City of Vancouver. Our government is committed to ensuring our city is ready to host the world in 2010.
Earth Hour Vancouver on Facebook
Earth Hour is a global initiative put on by the World Wildlife Fund, encouraging people around the world to turn lights off for one hour, starting at 8:00pm on March 29, 2008. In addition to reducing our city’s energy consumption, Earth Hour will raise awareness about conservation among our citizens and businesses.
Our government is working with WWF, BC Hydro and the Vancouver Sun to invite all Vancouver residents and businesses to turn their lights off to mark Earth Hour. I want to personally invite you to join other Vancouver citizens ready to make a difference by searching “Earth Hour Vancouver” on Facebook’s group and event listings, or clicking the button at www.samsullivan.ca.
I want to thank BC Hydro, WWF and the Vancouver Sun for joining this international event. Stay tuned for more announcements in the coming weeks.
Thank you again for your ongoing interest and support on these initiatives. As always, I look forward to your ideas and feedback.
Yours truly,
Sam Sullivan
Mayor
