Christine Boyle defeats Andrea Reimer in the battle of Little Mountain, meaning we’re likely headed to a council byelection later this year. Last year’s annual report fundraising gives us some insight into how well each party might do. Surrey meanwhile, doesn’t want money. Vancouver will be saying goodbye to public hearings. An overdose prevention site draws controversy, as do new rules around sheltering in parks. The City hopes to go to the Supreme Court of Canada. The Olympic Village school is finally coming. And Vision Zero wants you to take a brick to cross the street.

Links

• Vancouver Coun. Christine Boyle secures B.C. NDP nomination | CBC News
• Andrea Reimer’s thread on her loss
• ABC raises most while OneCity has largest supporter base – Cambie Report
• Local party fundraising beyond Vancouver in 2023
• Minister’s statement on Surrey policing transition | BC Gov News
• Surrey police chief sees path now to completing transition | Vancouver Sun
• Proposed changes to Vancouver Charter will help build more homes faster
• Health authority secures ‘discreet’ location for Vancouver overdose prevention site
• Vancouver mayor disappointed by new location for overdose prevention site
• Vancouver Park Board tightens rules on homeless encampments – BC | Globalnews.ca
• Vancouver SRO vacancy control to be heard in Supreme Court
• New school coming to Olympic Village | BC Gov News
• Granville Island crosswalk users urged to pick up a brick | CBC News
• About Granville Island – Granville Island – Vancouver, BC
• Granville Island – Wikipedia

The municipal becomes the provincial as two friends-of-the-pod compete in the race to replace an outgoing MLA. Mike Klassen asks the city for money for a Junos trip, Ken Sim asks a park board commissioner for forgiveness and the MST Nations are going to ask the province for everything. We also get into BIA expansion controversies, calls to make the red Vancouver sign permanent, and the history of neon signs in Vancouver.

B.C. NDP nomination battle brewing between former and current Vancouver city councillors

Vancouver councillor withdraws application for city cash to cover Junos trip with mayor

Integrity investigation finds Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim discriminated against Park Board commissioner

Vancouver Host First Nations support Park Board dissolution

Letter from MST nations 

Dan Fumano: Vancouver park board abolition not coming before B.C. election, Premier Eby says

Community associations ask B.C. not to eliminate Park Board

Dan Fumano: Psychedelics are illegal — and Vancouver police say criminal charges could be coming

Richmond, B.C., council approves drug consumption site motion | CBC News

Richmond won’t seek approval for drug consumption site: mayor | CBC News

A supervised consumption site for Richmond, B.C., was ditched. Why are critics still so furious?

24-07 BCPS announces appointment of Special Prosecutor Gordon

West Vancouver mayor Mark Sager suspended from practicing law for two years after admitting misconduct – North Shore News

3 code of conduct complaints filed against Port Moody councillor during first year in office

Mount Pleasant BIA expands despite objections

B.C. municipality to debate whether it should continue to exist | CBC News

City Council to consider installing a permanent “VANCOUVER” sign | Urbanized

Neon Vancouver Ugly Vancouver — MOV

Neon in the City — MOV | Museum of Vancouver

This Week in History, 1927: Neon signs light up Vancouver

Park board abolition, budget task force and naming rights, car-free gastown and more.

Links

• Muni Ministry – Park Board MMA-2023-33456.pdf
• Vancouver Mayor – Park Board 2023-763 – res.pdf
• “the province is not going to be surprised”
• Sim says Vancouver Park Board ‘not fixable’
• Park commissioners unlock $20K to fight Vancouver mayor’s move to abolish board
• Vancouver-area Indigenous groups refuse to endorse mayor’s plan to dismantle park board – The Globe and Mail
• 2 local First Nations support Vancouver Park Board plan
•  Mayor’s Budget Taskforce Report
• Vancouver mayor says city could generate $100M via naming rights of buildings, parks
• Commissioner says no conflict in Rolling Stones’ promo at Vancouver city hall
• Dan Fumano: ABC Vancouver returns $116000 in prohibited donations from 2022 election
• High-profile member of Vancouver Police Board resigns – BC | Globalnews.ca
• Vancouver Police Board member resigns, cites conflicts of interest, political interference | CBC News
• Metro Vancouver bus strike averted as 2 sides accept mediator’s recommendations | Globalnews.ca
• Vancouver’s Gastown will go car-free this summer
• North Vancouver District approves controversial supportive housing
• Why I quit my job (video) | Patreon Bob Kronbauer

Denis Agar, founder of Movement, a transit advocacy nonprofit organization, discusses the challenges and solutions for improving transit in Metro Vancouver. We cover the issues with the 49 bus route, the need for bus lanes and other transit improvements, the importance of community engagement, the funding challenges faced by TransLink, the potential of real estate development as a funding source, and the strategies for addressing different levels of government. The conversation discusses the challenges and funding contingencies in implementing transit plans, particularly in the context of the bus rapid transit (BRT) 10-year plan. It highlights the need for increased funding for bus service and the importance of public involvement in transit advocacy.

Links

• TransitMovement.ca
• Our repeat Vancouveratta on the 49 plaques

Ken Sim proposes abolishing the Park Board, shocking half of the ABC Park Board caucus who are now in open revolt. Can the right decisions be made for the pettiest of reasons? Ken Sim also saw the City Hall walls and wanted them painted…with the Rolling Stones logo. New regulations from the province dictating how cities need to implement the coming upzoning laws are giving city planners nightmares but that’s a good thing. Cops and West Van mayors seem to rely on loose interpretations of facts (allegedly). And we have some holiday drink recommendations.

Links

• Mayor moving to dismantle Vancouver Park Board
• Vancouver’s mayor makes a bold step to eliminate the park board — at the risk of dividing his party | CBC News
• Move to abolish Vancouver park board reveals rift in Mayor Ken Sim’s ABC party
• 9 points on the ABC Vancouver split over the future of the park board
• The motion
• The letter to the ABCD councillors
• Renting Vancouver City Hall to Rolling Stones promoters is peak Sim City cringe
• Regulations, policy manuals issued to help deliver more homes for people faster | BC Gov News
• ‘Steady decline’ in Vancouver stranger assaults since 2021, police department report reveals
• West Vancouver mayor facing probe for election ‘spending irregularities’ – BC | Globalnews.ca
• Vancouveratta: How did the Vancouver Christmas Market come to be? | Evolution 107.9 

BC’s new housing laws mean major shakeups for city councils but maybe that’s a good thing since we are in a housing crisis. Plus cities try to make themselves useful in the meantime. Except Surrey and especially except Harrison Hot Springs.

Links

• Legislation introduced to rein in short-term rentals, deliver more homes for people | BC Gov News 
• More small-scale, multi-unit homes coming to B.C., zoning barriers removed | BC Gov News 
• Legislation introduced to deliver more homes near transit hubs | BC Gov News
• Legislation introduced to streamline delivery of homes, services, infrastructure | BC Gov News
• New standardized designs will help build more homes quicker | BC Gov News
• Eby says governments must step up on housing, can’t rely on private sector – Real Estate | Business in Vancouver
• BC looking at Vienna & Singapore models of public housing
• It took 5 months, but B.C. Govt FOI response reveals the ten ‘experts’ guiding the hammer of provincial housing policy | CityHallWatch
• Could BC’s push to densify housing around transit hubs threaten Chinatown, Gastown heritage buildings?
• B.C.’s new housing rules could have ‘enormous unintended consequences,’ warns Coquitlam mayor
• Vancouver council passes 2 housing motions
• Motion to densify Shaughnessy housing fails | CityNews Vancouver
• Parking minimums eliminated for new developments in West End and Broadway Plan areas | City of Vancouver
• Vancouver councillor pitches ‘potentially transformational’ plan for the city’s Downtown Eastside – The Globe and Mail
• Draft 2024 Budget | City of Vancouver
• Mayor’s budget task force was supposed to report by Oct 3
• New VPD contract would make officers the highest paid in Canada | Globalnews.ca
• Vancouver’s Pay Boost for Unionized Staff Increases Budget Pressures | The Tyee
• Elections B.C. audits Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim’s political party campaign contributions
• TEAM calls for audit of ABC Vancouver
• Corporate donors put Stanley Park’s miniature train back on track for Christmas
• 23,000 Stanley Park Bright Night train tickets sell out in 90 minutes – BC | Globalnews.ca
• B.C. Supreme Court rules against Vancouver group’s challenge to supportive-housing project – BC | Globalnews.ca
• Minister’s statement on appointment of administrator to act in place of Surrey Police Board | BC Gov News
• Another Surrey lawsuit
• B.C. mayor asks council to approve hiring investigator to find ‘mole’ writing critical letters about him | CBC News
• Vancouveratta: Slumach.ca

Social housing at Little Mountain continues to be the most aggravating story in the City of Vancouver, and it just got worse. Boyle wants red light and speed cameras in the city, but ABC wants further study. The cops are using their political capital. The Park Board is protecting golf courses. The city wants to save Britannia Community Centre but possibly eliminate the Beach Ave bike lane.

Further afield, Metro plows ahead with development fee increases, Richmond goes all in on cars and Port Coquitlam does an about face on a “controversial” daycare.

Links

• Little Mountain developer says social housing requirement stalling progress on market condos
• A bit of history (thread)
• Results of the vote (McElroy on Twitter)
•  Vancouver city councillor criticizes amendment that calls for further study of intersection cameras
• Vancouver police arrest 2 after raids on Drug User Liberation Front | CBC News
• Vancouver police bust three storefronts selling psilocybin and psychedelics
• Vancouver police announce 258 arrests in latest violent shoplifting crackdown – BC | Globalnews.ca
• B.C. coalition seeks ‘critical’ crackdown on violent retail crime | CTV News
• Vancouver Park Board again rejects calls to convert golf courses into housing | CBC News
• Master plan for Britannia community centre may get sidetracked | Vancouver Sun
• Cyclists concerned about proposed West End waterfront revitalization plan
• Metro Vancouver approves development charge increase 
• No BRT, no RapidBus: Richmond City Council rejects TransLink’s proposed route to Metrotown
• PoCo council reverses previous decision, approves Grant Avenue daycare
• Vancouveratta: Chinese Canadian Museum

Surrey sues the province, who’s about to crush them with legislation. Vancouver seeks a new city planner to build the homes Ken Sim is hoping his new plan will allow, if he’s not too busy filing complaints against political rivals. Burnaby allows laneway houses but misses out on federal funding as Metro Vancouver’s new development fees are too high. And Port Moody council approves a new development despite a marathon of controversy.

Links

City of Surrey launches court proceeding to halt police transition (City announcement with petition)

Surrey launches policing review in B.C. Supreme Court | CityNews Vancouver

Minister’s statement on Surrey policing | BC Gov News

City of Vancouver parts ways with chief planner

Vancouver council approves ‘missing middle’ motion allowing up to 8 homes per lot – BC | Globalnews.ca

Dan Fumano: Vancouver Mayor Sim and ABC majority pledge housing action

Ken Sim housing motion

Vancouver City Council to consider review on how view cones impact housing

100 Cops, Not Even 10 Nurses | The Tyee

Dan Fumano: Vancouver council eyes loosening rent limits to boost construction

Ken Sim Tried to Stop a Councillor From Talking. Will It Happen Again? | The Tyee

Vancouver mayor’s 2nd conduct complaint against city councillor upheld

Integrity Commissioner Report COVIC-005: Complaint against Councillor Christine Boyle

Christine Boyle spent $7K to defend complaint from Ken Sim – Vancouver Is Awesome

Dan Fumano: Major Vancouver labour group changes direction, throws support behind one party

Development Cost Charge Revisions | Metro Vancouver

Feds postpone housing funding for 2 of B.C.’s biggest cities amid concern over development fees | CBC News

Federal housing minister’s ‘fiasco’ flip-flop on housing funds puzzles B.C. mayors

‘A significant step forward’: Laneway housing legalized in Burnaby

Burnaby council says no to Metrotown city hall after public backlash

When is a tour actually a meeting, a Port Moody councillor wants to know. But the rules aren’t entirely clear

MLA’s Coronation Park letter surprising and ‘disappointing,’ responds developer – TriCities Dispatch

MLAs letter shows lack of understanding and lack of respect, Mayor writes – TriCities Dispatch

Burns Bog – Wikipedia

The latest threat to neighbourhood character: Young children.

Also: Paying people to speak at public hearings, selling off school board land, staffing the mayor’s office, banning Hookah shops, developing Coquitlam and Burnaby.

Links

• Vancouver graffiti for climate change action (inspiration for the song Heat Dome)
• Dan Fumano: How a Vancouver neighbourhood fought, and defeated, a daycare
• Dan Fumano: Vancouver parents desperate for daycare slam city hall rejection
• Dan Fumano: Vancouver councillors promise action after daycare’s rejection
• Rental housing tower approval rescinded after developer paid supporters in public hearing
• Vancouver School Board tells judge it is considering selling a prime piece of land – The Globe and Mail
• New staff at the Mayor’s Office
• A look at who’s who in Ken Sim’s office
• Vancouver bylaw official tries to close hookah shops – Retail & Manufacturing
• Era of building single-family home neighbourhoods is over: Coquitlam mayor
• Coquitlam should build ‘conventional’ townhomes: councillor
• Why Burnaby Decided to Develop Its Own Housing | The Tyee
• This Pride anthem was written in Vancouver — inspired by a local landmark | CBC News

We can’t have nice things: We can’t have a spa, we can’t have the polar bears, we can’t have a mural, we can’t have the RCMP in Surrey, we can’t have temporary modular housing and we can’t have water. But we can have a beer at Khatsalano.

Links

• Vancouver mayor shotguns beer at outdoor festival | CBC.ca
• Councillor doesn’t regret shotgunning drink with Vancouver mayor, does regret it was vodka cream soda | CBC News
• Decision on Surrey Police Service ensures public safety in Surrey, the province | BC Gov News
• 5 things to know as B.C. orders Surrey to continue transition to municipal police force
• Surrey police decision draws mixed reaction | CityNews Vancouver
• Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke to ‘explore options’ as B.C. shuts down bid to stay with RCMP
• Missing middle housing motion set for Vancouver city council vote – Real Estate
• Could the Missing Middle Solve the Housing Crisis? | The Walrus
• Dan Fumano: Modular housing was meant to be temporary. ABC wants to make sure it stays that way
• After 15 Years, Little Mountain’s Housing Promise Still Looks Empty | The Tyee
• Some Vancouver residents unhappy about park board leaving Vancouver ponds dry | CBC News
• Vancouver hands out more than $71000 in water restriction fines as drought intensifies
• Relief in the works to help with Stanley Park’s weekend traffic jams | Vancouver Sun
• Vancouver orders removal of ‘iconic’ rat mural at Commercial Drive brewery – BC | Globalnews.ca
• Dan Fumano: Politicians ‘must be open to critique’: Vancouver staff respond to council’s effort to stifle criticism
• Nearly 11000 abusive tweets targeted Vancouver and Surrey election candidates

Vancouveratta

• The Stanley Park Zoo, A Vancouver Institution Until 1996 – Scout Magazine
• A spa in Stanley Park’s polar bear enclosure? Park board chair would ‘love to see’ idea move forward | CBC News
• Justin McElroy video on the spa idea

We also can’t ever have perfect audio quality – apologies for the bit of echo in here, we reduced as much as we could.

Surrey policing drama, disqualifications, ethics issues, car-free pilots and mean girls.