Vision Vancouver platform 2011

8/3/2019 Vision Vancouver platform 2011

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PLATFORM 2011

A VISION FOR VANCOUVER


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From MAYOR GREGOR ROBERTSON

I LOVE OUR CITY.Vancouver has trans ormed into one o the worlds mostlivable and multicultural cities since my youth, and will no doubt experiencegreat change in my kids li etime. As Mayor during this pivotal time in ourhistory, I see a city inspired by its potential, working hard to build the uture

we all want to live in.

In 2008, you elected Vision Vancouver to lead your City Council, and you gaveme the opportunity to serve as your Mayor. Since then, weve accomplisheda lot together, and weve aced some di cult challenges. Through it all, weveprotected our public services, and launched ambitious new programs whilenavigating the treacherous waters o a global recession. From turning thetide on homelessness and achieving dramatic drops in crime, to hostingexceptional 2010 Winter Games, weve ample reason to be optimistic. We willneed that positivity - mixed with our creative, entrepreneurial drive - to keepmaking progress.

What makes Vancouver special is ar more than its natural beauty: its ourvalues. We are a city o compassionate people o many cultures who believea better world begins right here with us. People tell me they want to live in avibrant, sa e city that is a ordable and green. They tell me theyre pleased tosee ar less negative bickering at City Hall this term, and more co-operationand integrity a civic government that comes together to solve importantissues or the greater good.

In just three short years, weve accomplished a lot. Weve completed nearlyevery one o the things we set out to do, with many more achievementswithin reach. Im excited about the possibility o working on your behal or

another term in a Vision-led Council.

Within this document, I hope you see a vision that re ects your hopesor Vancouver, and your values. Youll fnd a comprehensive list o our

achievements since 2008, and our commitment to a better city.

Sincerely,


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T hree years ago, Vancouver was in the midst o a homelessness crisis. Mayor Robertson andthe Vision team campaigned on a clear message o change:

We would take homelessness seriously, and take

immediate actionWe would make building a ordable housing a

priority or City HallWe would work to put a ordable housing options

in reach o hard-working Vancouverites, soVancouver can truly be a livable city or all.

A VISION FOR VANCOUVEPLATFORM 2011

AFFORDABILITY, HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS


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The results speak or themselves. Our promise tocreate new shelters has resulted in an 82% drop instreet homelessness over 600 ewer people sleepon the streets in Vancouver than they did in 2008.While there is no question that more work needs tobe done, the Vision council has made headway on theissues that the NPA chose to ignore. Our ability to work e ectively with the BCgovernment secured a record $333 millioninvestment in more than 1,500 units o low-incomehousing throughout Vancouver. Between 2010 and2011, we achieved the frst year-over-year decreasein overall homelessness in over a decade 110 lesspeople were homeless this year compared to last. In a city where more than 50% o our citizens rent,weve put renter issues up ront at City Hall. Vision has

lobbied or changes to the Residential Tenancy Actto protect renters and end reno-victions. The Short- Term Incentives or Rental (STIR) program created thefrst new market rental housing in our years romdowntown south to Marpole to Mt Pleasant.

We created the frst new co-op housing in a decadein False Creek, and have sought out innovativepartnerships to get new housing built. Teamingup with the YWCA to build housing or women

and children above a new library in Strathcona.Converting the old Remand Centre into a ordablehousing in partnership with Bladerunners in theDowntown Eastside. Vision is eager to explore newideas in our quest to make housing more a ordablein Vancouver. We approved laneway houses tocreate a new supply o rental and amily housing inresidential neighbourhoods. Our commitment to protecting low-income housinghas been backed up by action and results. UnderVisions leadership, City council fnally got tough onslum landlords, using legal injunctions or the frst-time ever to orce building owners to clean up theirlow-income hotels in the Downtown Eastside. Its atool that is working and well continue to use it. Visions work on homelessness and a ordable

housing is making progress. The most challengingsocial issue o our time wont be solved in a singleterm o Council, but weve put Vancouver on the rightpath to making sure no one has to sleep outside atnight. In a city as compassionate and resource ul asVancouver, there is no reason we cant end streethomelessness in our city, or create a ordable, qualityhousing or amilies, seniors, and students. Vision hasshown whats possible in three years, but our work together has only begun we need to do more.



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LEVERAGE THE CITYS ASSETSTO BUILD MORE AFFORDABLEHOUSING

Earlier this year, the Vision Council approved a newa ordable housing plan, which includes:

A detailed, 10-year plan to create andenable 38,000 new a ordable housing unitsthroughout the city.A Task Force on renters rights to identi y waysto strengthen protection or Vancouver renters.A permanent shelter strategy, in partnershipwith BC Housing, to maintain low-barriershelters or our most vulnerable citizens.

The Citys A ordable Housing and HomelessnessPlan, initiated and approved by the Vision-ledcouncil, provides a ramework or tackling housinga ordability at a number o levels. Building on theplan, we will leverage city-owned properties withprivate and non-proft partners to use city assets toincrease the stock o a ordable housing, includingco-ops, a ordable rental, long-term leases, anda ordable home ownership.

CONTINUE SUPPORT FOR SHELTERSSO NO ONE HAS TO SLEEP ON THESTREET

The solution to homelessness is always going tobe homes. But until those homes are built, itsunacceptable or people to be orced to sleepon our streets. We will continue our support orshelters in priority neighbourhoods with homelesspopulations, including a 24/7 womens shelter inthe DTES.

INCREASE SUPPORT FOR SENIORSHOUSING

Recent studies have indicated our agingpopulation, particularly immigrant communities,will ace increased housing needs over the comingdecade. We will priortize working with communitypartners like SUCCESS to create appropriateseniors housing that addresses our citys uniquecultural needs.


Next term, Vision will:


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CRACK DOWN ON NEGLIGENTLANDLORDS

Vision has taken a hard line on landlords whore use to bring their properties up to eventhe most basic standards. We will continue toaggressively pursue injunctions against SROlandlords to orce them to provide sa e, cleanhousing or their tenants. To give more power to renters, we will create a

comprehensive apartment registry to publiclytrack work orders and property violations.Renters will be able to discover the worstlandlords and properties on an easy-to-use,searchable city website.

IMPROVE AFFORDABILITY FORRENTERS

Ensuring that the city continues to implementincentives to build new rental housing is apriority or Vision. We will continue to supportrenters who dream o owning their own homesby developing strategies to promote homeownership.

For renters in crisis those at risk o losing theirhomes because o a sudden job loss or majorunexpected expense we will work with theprivate sector, the Board o Trade, individualdonors, and other orders o government todevelop a rent bank that will loan unds to thosewho need them to cover rent. The unds arerepaid over time by those who borrow them.


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GREENEST CIT

T he City o Vancouver is showing the world howeconomic success and environmental leadershipcan go hand in hand. Mayor Gregor Robertson and theVision team have brought dedication, urgency, andcommitment to our Citys environmental health thathas never be ore been seen at City Hall, and creatednew economic opportunities in the process. Underour leadership, weve taken swi t, bold action on ourpolicies and programs with broad public support.



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Its no coincidence that Vancouver is now the

greenest city in Canada according to both The Economist and Corporate Knights. Upon taking o ce, Mayor Robertson initiated theGreenest City Action Plan, a long-term strategydeveloped with local leaders including Dr DavidSuzuki and ormer Premier Mike Harcourt. Weconnected with over 25,000 people rom all acrossour city with the Talk Green to Us campaign. Theresult is a plan that sets out clear targets or newparks, better transit, more e cient waste andenergy use, and cleaner air and water. And in three short years, we are already seeingresults. We started Vancouvers frst curbsidecompost program or single- amily homes, withplans in the works to expand it to apartmentsand multi-unit buildings. Vancouver now has thegreenest building code in North America, requiringall new rezonings to be LEED Gold. Our City now has the lowest per capita GHGemissions in North America. We advocated or

and helped secure a U-Pass or all Vancouver

post-secondary institutions, and ought or newinvestments in public transit. We ended yearso talk and instead took action to create sa erpedestrian and cycling in rastructure, with newseparated bike lanes and crosswalk countdowntimers put in place. The City has started new partnerships with localbusinesses and non-profts, including teaming upwith Cisco and Pulse Energy to improve energye ciency in city buildings, and with EMBERS totrain Downtown Eastside residents to weatherizehomes to help save energy and create green jobs. Weve made it easier or armers marketsto expand and grow, and our street ood cartprogram has given dozens o vendors newopportunities to showcase Vancouvers top notchlocal ood industry. Vancouver isnt just a greener city under Vision, itseconomically stronger, more resilient, and morelivable.

GREENEST CITY


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MAKE VANCOUVER THE GREENESTCITY IN THE WORLD BY 2020

In 2008, we began implementing projects andprograms like curbside composting, electric vehicles,and green development standards. In the meantime,we consulted with over 25,000 people and partneredwith over 100 non-profts, businesses and academicsto develop a realistic and a ordable plan to get us to2020 Council approved the plan earlier this year.

With over 85 separate initiatives underway tomake Vancouver a world leader in 10 di erentenvironmental policy areas ranging rom climateto green spaces to local ood, the hard work o implementation will continue throughout the nextterm.

ENHANCE OUR WALKINGINFRASTRUCTURE

Building on our priority investments in pedestrianin rastructure, Vision will continue to enhancepedestrian sa ety by expanding key intersectionimprovements, increasing public awareness, installingmore countdown timers, and continuing the newactive transportation committee. These steps willmake Vancouver sa er or walkers o all ages.

BUILD A SAFER NETWORK FOR

CYCLISTS IN ALL PARTS OF THE CITYWorking in close co-operation with residents andbusinesses, we will continue to grow the bike network to improve accessibility, sa ety and convenience orcyclists. We will implement a bike-sharing program,which has been success ul in cities like Montreal, Toronto and London.

To promote health and ftness, and reduce tra ccongestion, we will also ocus on improving sa ety orkids walking and riding bikes to school.


GREENEST CITY


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FIND INNOVATIVE WAYS TOCREATE NEW GREEN SPACES

Throughout the city there are under-used spacesthat could be converted to park spaces. Local

communities could help us identi y those spacesand the city could develop a community processand plan to convert the selected areas intoneighbourhood parkettes, unlocking new greenspace in neighbourhoods across the city. In addition, we will work to create new publicspace along the Fraser River, allowing more publicaccess to the water and creating enhanced park spaces.

CHAMPION IMPROVEMENTS TOPUBLIC TRANSIT FOR EVERYONE

We will build on Visions success ul advocacy orthe Canada Line and this alls Translink undingplan to improve public transit in our city. Throughthe Mayors role as the Citys representative on the Translink Mayors Council, Vision will be a leadingvoice or public transit improvements, both in thenear term and or the uture.

Our immediate transit priority is to add more buseson busy routes and improve late-night service; ouroverarching priority is to work with Translink andthe BC government to develop our east-west rapidtransit along the Broadway corridor to UBC.

SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT OF GOODPAYING GREEN JOBS

Vision has a strong track record o supportingand achieving green job development, throughour investment in the Vancouver EconomicCommission and the establishment o the GreenestCity 2020 Action Plan. We will continue to supportthe development o good paying green jobs,including home deconstruction projects, energye ciency retrofts, and green building technology.

GREENEST CITY


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SAFE, LIVABLE NEIGHBOURHOODS

T he health and vitality o Vancouversneighbourhoods is what makes our city theenvy o the world. Over the past three years,despite challenging economic times, MayorGregor Robertson and the Vision Vancouverteam have maintained our commitment to keepour communities sa e, to take a compassionate,pragmatic approach to our toughest socialchallenges, and to support services that help

amilies and children.



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Despite a global recession and acing record defcits, Visionincreased investment in the Vancouver Police Department eacho the past three years. Under Chie Chus leadership, Vancouver

has seen signifcant decreases in crime rates violent crimehas dropped 9%, property crime is down 18%, and total crimereduced 14% compared with 2008. Were striving to be the sa estmajor city in Canada, and were on the right track with our crimedropping at almost twice the rate o the average or Canadiancities. Mayor Robertson and the Vision team have ollowed through onour promises to tackle serious issues drug addiction, mentalillness, and sexual exploitation that hurt our citizens and puta drain on city resources. The City now has a Mental Health andAddictions Strategy, ensuring that ront-line city workers areequipped to recognize signs o mental illness. We also openedthe Bosman Hotel, which provides 100 homeless Vancouvercitizens with 24/7 support in partnership with the Mental HealthCommission o Canada. Vision Vancouver has been a steady champion o InSite, despiteintense pressure rom the Harper Government (including a ailedSupreme Court challenge) to shut it down and deny injectiondrug users the chance to access health services and treatment. This September, Vision approved a City strategy or dealing withthe sex trade and human exploitation, ocusing on preventionin youth, increased services or exiting, and better en orcementon premises that engage in sexual exploitation. Were not a raidto address controversial issues head-on and do what we think isright to help our most vulnerable citizens. The Vision Parks Board has delivered record investments in parksand in rastructure, making our green spaces better or sportsand recreation. In partnership with the City and the ederalgovernment, weve built two new tur felds at Memorial andJericho, a new track at Memorial, upgraded Grandview and Trillium parks, and enhanced the Stanley Park seawall. Anddespite acing enormous budget pressures, the Vision parks

board made the tough choices that allowed us to ensure no cutsor closures to our community centres. The Vision school board has been a relentless advocate orparents and children as we deal with unding cutbacks anddemographic challenges. Visions school trustees protectedcrucial community learning centres like Carleton elementary

rom closing. In partnership with the Ministry o Education,several schools are beginning much-needed seismic upgrades.



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The Vision school board has proven itsel to bea frm and air advocate or Vancouvers publicschools when it comes to dealing with the ProvincialGovernment. Visions commitment to strengthening ourneighbourhoods in the ace o economic

challenges has demonstrated our dedicationto making Vancouver a better city or everyoneto live in. Protecting vital services, addressingsocial challenges, and enhancing our parks andrecreational space these are the hallmarks o elected o cials who put the needs and priorities o Vancouverites frst.

STOP GAMBLING EXPANSIONIN VANCOUVER

Vision Vancouver took a strong stance againstexpansion o gambling in our city by stoppingthe mega-casino proposed or downtown. We willcontinue that commitment, and prevent any urtherexpansion o gambling in the City o Vancouver.

EXPAND THE WILDLY SUCCESSFULFOOD CART PROGRAM

Our ood cart program has been very popular exceeding our own expectations by providinghealthy, delicious and diverse ood options. We willexpand the ood cart program with a minimum o 17 new carts coming on line per year over the nextthree years.

MAKE OUR STREETS SAFER WITHMORE POLICE OFFICERS ON

THE STREETWe will increase unding to ensure our policedepartment can continue to reduce crime rates inVancouver to achieve our goal o being the sa estmajor city in Canada. Key priorities will includeincreasing street presence with Metro teams andfghting gang violence.

BOOST SUPPORT FOR FIRE AND

RESCUE SERVICEWe will invest in upgrades to Fire and RescueServices acilities, equipment and sta to ensureour Fire dept can keep pace with the demands o agrowing city, including support or Urban Searchand Rescue and disaster response, training citizenvolunteers, and providing a neighbourhood placeo re uge in times o crisis.




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MAKE COMMUNITY RECREATIONMORE ACCESSIBLE ANDAFFORDABLE FOR FAMILIES

Community recreation is an important part o healthy living, and an area where many amiliesstruggle to fnd the resources to participate.We will help amilies gain access to recreationprograms, like selected ree programing on specifcdays at recreation centres across the city, to ensureeveryone has opportunities to a healthy activeli estyle.

CREATE A NEW PUBLIC SQUAREDOWNTOWN

Building on the lessons o the 2010 OlympicGames, and the Citys ongoing consultations onthe Citys Transportation 2040 plan, we will work tocreate a new public square in the downtown.

SUPPORT FOR SENIORS IN CRISISAs our population ages, ront-line communityworkers need new skills to help seniors in crisis.We will provide training or city sta andcommunity organizations to identi y signso dementia and Alzheimers and provide anappropriate response. In those situations, a swi tresponse can save lives.

SUPPORT NEW CHILD CARE SPACESWe will set a goal o a minimum o 500 newdaycare spaces over the course o the next termand will prioritize the creation o spaces or in ants,toddlers and a ter school care.

CONTINUE STRONG SUPPORT FORINSITE AND HARM REDUCTION

Caring or those at risk and providing acompassionate approach to addiction issuesis a value we all share. We will continue ourunequivocal support or Insite and the FourPillars strategy or harm reduction, en orcement,prevention, and treatment.



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DRIVE MEANINGFUL, BROAD-REACHING CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Building on the success ul Talk Green to Usprogram at the city, which engaged over 35,000people in the development o the Greenest City2020 Action Plan, we will develop new ways toreach our diverse communities, seniors, youthand aboriginal groups so they continue to have avoice at City Hall. This will include a wide-reachingtask orce on Expanding Citizen Engagement to

bring orward options to make city processes moretransparent, accessible, and accountable to thepublic.

EXPAND PUBLIC ACCESS TO OPENDATA AND CITY SERVICES

We will continue to support and expand the opendata and open source initiatives that began in thelast term o Council.

As smartphone use continues to rise, there is aneed to fnd new ways to deliver services to thepublic. We will develop a Vancouver City App tomake it easy to access city services, and reportproblems on your mobile phone.

SUPPORT ELECTORAL REFORM

We will continue to advocate or electoral and

campaign fnance re orm, including donationlimits, and fnancial disclosure. A Vision-led Councilwill also develop strategies to increase voterparticipation with young people.



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A thriving, diverse economy with opportunityor everyone is the oundation o a livable city.From day one Mayor Gregor Robertson and VisionVancouver brought ocus and a strong businessethic to City Hall. Weve targeted support or key job-

creating industries, rom high-growth sectors likeclean technology and digital media to investing in ourport. At the same time, weve supported our world-class creative sector: the artists and per ormers whobring vibrancy to our city.


JOBS, CREATIVITY, AND FINANCE


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Mayor Robertson has used his experienceas a success ul entrepreneur to help marketVancouvers unique advantage and attract new jobs: Pixar, Sony Imageworks, Microso t, IndustrialLight and Magic, Canon Canada, Hootsuite,and Telus are making signifcant investments in

Vancouver, putting down roots and hiring newVancouver talent. Our Olympic business program, which used the2010 Winter Games as a plat orm to reach globalcompanies and investors looking to do businesshere, delivered $85 million in direct investment

or Vancouver and created over 2,500 jobs acrossthe region. Weve been recognized by KPMG ashaving the most competitive tax rate o any majorcity in the world, and this year we achieved thelowest overall property tax increase o any MetroVancouver municipality. When it comes to the creative sector, the Visionteam stood frm with local artists, and ensuredthat there were no cuts to arts and culture undingdespite acing extreme budget pressures rom theeconomic downturn. Mayor Robertson and Visionrecognize the importance o the arts to our localeconomy and social abric.

Thats why we saved the York Theatre, which willnow be restored and operated as a communityperformance space by the Vancouver EastCultural Centre. Thats why we introduced measures to cut red

tape and make it easier for local performancespaces to operate and hold events. Thats why we partnered with the federalgovernment to make major upgrades to theQueen Elizabeth Theatre, the Orpheum, andMalkin Bowl. Innovation and entrepreneurship are crucial toVancouvers economy going orward. We cantcoast on our past successes, we need to reinvestin the areas where Vancouver has a hard- oughtadvantage. Over the past three years, thatsexactly what weve done: landing new investment,supporting local businesses, and giving our artsand culture sector the tools they need to thrive.



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ACTIVELY PROMOTE LOCALINVESTMENT AND GROWTH

We will implement a Mayors Investment Forumto attract investors globally to invest in localVancouver entrepenuers and companies. For major employers looking to build new o ces,

creating jobs and increasing the tax base, we willo er tax incentive grants. This strategy has beensuccess ul around the world with major cities,and has no cost to the city because the grants areo set by growth in the tax base caused by the newdevelopment.

IMPLEMENT THE ECONOMICACTION STRATEGY

We will aggressively implement the VancouverEconomic Commissions new strategy, whichincludes retaining and supporting existingbusiness, attracting trade and investment, andcreating a new Tech Centre to support localentrepeneurs and new companies.

CONTINUE TO KEEP TAXESAT REASONABLE RATES FORRESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES

Despite many fnancial challenges, including theglobal recession, the Vision Council was able tokeep tax increases among the lowest in the regionduring our frst term in o ce. We will continueon this trend, through a combination o e cientsavings and cost reductions like those identifedduring the Vancouver Services Review. Forexample, we will reduce city costs by reducing thecost o city vehicles by at least 5 percent in each o the next three years. We will also continue to implement therecommendations o the Fair Tax Commission totransition some o the tax burden rom businessto residential. That will include one fnal tax shi t in

2012, with no shi t in 2013 and 2014 until urtherassessment is completed.



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EXPAND EFFORTS TO REVITALIZECHINATOWN

We will bring orward additional plans to revitalizeChinatown, including attracting new businesses,protecting the heritage eatures o this historicarea, and creating more a ordable housing.

MAKE PERMITS FASTER ANDEASIER

We will ensure that single amily home permitprocesses are streamlined and establish a standardturnaround time or the awarding o permits.

BUILD PARTNERSHIPS WITH SISTERCITIES

We will enhance economic opportunities orlocal companies by identi ying new sister-cityrelationships in countries that have strongeconomic ties to Vancouver.

DEVELOP A CITY ATTRACTION PASS

We will develop a City Attraction Pass to promote

the use o our cultural and educational attractions.A limited number o passes would be available atall local libraries, which could be checked out byindividuals and amilies or the day, and used togain ree access to a number o local attractions.

CREATE AN ARTISTS-LED ARTSCOUNCIL

Work to consolidate arts unding programs toensure artists lead a transparent decision makingprocess or granting unds.

SUPPORT ARTS FUNDING AS ACORE CITY INVESTMENT

Despite di cult economic times, Visions supportor arts unding was consistent throughout the

past three years. We will maintain arts unding atexisting levels during the next term, with no cutsto current programs.


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MAKE CREATING CULTURAL SPACES A CITY PRIORITY

WE WILL WORK TO CREATE NEW CULTURAL SPACES, AND IMPROVEACCESS WITH THE FOLLOWING FIVE-POINT PLAN:

Undertake a ull review to fnd ways to streamline and improve access to city-1.owned arts acilities.

Identi y creative zones in which by-laws and zoning requirements are used to2.encourage and protect creative activity.

Lead a plan to support the creation o new cultural spaces, and move orward3.

with public consultation on expansion o the Vancouver Art Gallery withoutdelay.

Facilitate the use o Vancouver School Board, Park Board and City properties or4.artist studio space. Build on the agreement between the School Board and Green Thumb Theatre by developing and implementing a Studio Space Pilot Project.

Increase the amount o studio space available to the arts sector by 10,000 sq eet5.over the next term o Council.



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VISION EDUCATION

Vision Vancouver has spent the last threeyears demonstrating what advocacy andstanding up or Vancouvers kids and publiceducation can achieve. Were working to

build partnerships with other levels o government,

community partners and at the grassroots level with parents, amilies and residents to support publiceducation.



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Vancouver schools are a microcosm o our city.Schools are places o diversity, o tolerance,sustainability and ostering innovation - all

the things we want our city to be. Preventinghomelessness and crime, improving childhealth, increasing tolerance, innovation tosolve complex community challenges - we canbegin to tackle all these things in our schools.We need to invest in this sustainable, healthyand just uture or Vancouvers kids - the utureo our city.

In spite o the fnancial challenges a ectingall BC public school districts, theres a sense o renewal in Vancouver - a sense o optimismand possibility. Thats what advocacy andcollaboration are all about. We have so muchmore to do, which is why were asking oryour support as we continue to work to keepVancouvers school system one o the best inNorth America - and make it even better thanit is today.

We know that advocacy works. Last year theVancouver Sun named Vision Vancouverschool trustee and VSB Chair Patti Bacchus one

o BCs most in uential women or her high-profle advocacy work. Your elected Visiontrustees, working with our COPE colleagues,got the attention o provincial decision-makersto engage in a dialogue on the challenges

acing not just the VSB, but school districtsaround the province.

Were moving Vancouver into a new era o learning, building on the successes o ourtop-per orming school system to produceoutstanding opportunities and results orstudents and our communities.

Vancouver public schools are the best placeor your kids - a place where theyll receive an

equitable, frst-rate education. We have a planor ensuring our schools stay that way and

seek ways to update and improve learningopportunities or all students.

SCHOOL BOARD


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STUDENT SUCCESS, SAFETYAND EQUITY

Continue to ocus on equitable access tostudent learning opportunities and successthrough enhanced teaching and learning, use o educational technology, early intervention, andassessment or learning and innovative programs.Engage with amilies directly in supportingstudent success and provide in ormation and toolsto support their involvement.Increase our students voice in learning, planning,

and policy development, and create learningenvironments that support student engagement.Continue initiatives to make our schools sa er,inclusive, and more welcoming or all students,and promote socially responsible behavior inboth the real and virtual societies (physical andemotional sa ety).Improve services or Aboriginal studentsby continuing to work with the Aboriginalcommunity to plan and implement an aboriginal-

ocused school o choice.

In consultation with partners, develop technology

in rastructure to support teaching, learning, andsystem-wide e ciency and e ectiveness.Ensure equitable access or all students bytargeting resources and interventions whereneeded.

SCHOOL BOARD

LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY

Continue to provide vision, leadership, andaction or a strong, vibrant, well- unded andresponsive public education system.Continue to advocate and lobby or adequate,predictable, and stable unding or Vancouverstudents.Continue to e ectively manage the resourceso the school district to support studentlearning opportunities.


PROTECTION AND UPGRADING OFFACILITIES

Work with the Ministry o Education to

establish a Program O ce to plan theimplementation o an expedited timetable orseismic upgrading o Vancouver schools andto ensure that educational acilities decisionsconsider actors such as health and sa ety,21st Century learning design, heritage, andsustainability.Complete the development o a schoolrenewal plan or the entire district to ensurethe remaining at-risk schools are completed by2020.

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Work with the City o Vancouver and otheragencies to promote student health andftness by encouraging students to walk/cycleto school in a sa e manner.Work with students, partners, and community

agencies to implement a district sustainabilityplan with the goal o making the VSB thegreenest school district in North America.

UTILIZING SCHOOL SPACE

Building on our success with Carletonelementary and Green Thumb Theatre, we willcontinue to seek partnerships to enable under-utilized school space as studio space, andprovide new opportunities or classes or kids.Work with the City o Vancouver and non-proft agencies to investigate options or usingschool space or daycare and school-aged care


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VISION PARKS & RECREATION

Vancouvers parks and recreational services are atthe heart o what makes our neighbourhoods

strong, livable and inclusive.

The Vancouver Park Board has emerged rom a globalrecession with protected core services, new investments inindoor and outdoor acilities, and a renewed commitment toenhancing our positive impact on the lives o Vancouverites.

PARK BOARD


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PARK BOARD

Vision Vancouver is committed to ensuring theadministration o the Park Board is continuallystreamlined and examined or e ciencies andsavings. We have already achieved the regionslowest ee structure or services and will continueto seek ways to improve a ordability. That beingsaid, Vision Vancouver also believes in an expandedrole or the Park Board in the local community that

it serves. Over the past three years, Vision Vancouver hasmade strong e orts to expand into the areas o child care and ood security. We have engagedin the most comprehensive public consultationprocess that has ever been conducted at the Park Board level. We have created new recreational

acilities that engage youth and amilies.

We secured millions o dollars in investments romthe ederal government, building new tur feldsat Memorial South and Jericho Park. We havereached out to cultural communities to recognizeour shared and storied past. And we have keptparks, beaches and playgrounds ree rom smokingwith a complete ban.

Vision Vancouver stands poised to expand thePark Board and the relevance it has in the lives o Vancouverites once again. We will continue tolisten as widely as possible, to engage populationsthat have in the past been neglected, expand thekinds o services we o er through our communitycentres, ensure that access is never cost-prohibitive, and support activities that o er a moreholistic view o what the Vancouver Park Boardmeans to our city.


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PARK BOARD

SUPPORT YOUTH DEVELOPMENT INOUR COMMUNITIES

Neighbourhood community centres are o ten thefrst place our young people get to experience sports,

arts and culture outside o the school system. A VisionPark Board would work to enhance a ull-range o a ordable, quality services aimed at our youth.

We will also introduce more youth-themed parksincluding skateboarding, BMX biking, climbing wallsand murals.

A Vision Park Board views child care as a core serviceand will work with other levels o government andcommunity partners to expand the number o childcare spaces across the city.

We will also work closely with community partners toexpand hot break ast programs or children.

ENHANCE CITIZEN PARTICIPATION INOUR PARKS SYSTEM

Our parks and recreational acilities engage a widerange o local artists and per ormers while providingmany opportunities or people to enjoy and explorethe arts.

The Vision Park Board led an extensive publicconsultation process to develop its new 5-yearstrategic plan. Input was sought rom a wide cross-section o community representatives and sta orinclusion into the creation o the Park Board newgoals and priorities.

Building on that success, we will improve the processor public consultation with regards to all aspect o the Park Board mandate and operations.

We will also utilize technology to ensure that morevoices have the opportunity to contribute to publicdiscussions and to have greater impact on theopinions and the decision-making o Park Board.

GREEN SPACE FOR ALL

Vancouvers parks are part o what makes ourcity great, and there are increasing demands ordi erent uses o them.

A Vision Park Board will work with localneighbourhoods to identi y and develop newgreen space such as pocket parks.

Through partnerships with environmental andcommunity groups, a Vision Park Board wouldimplement a stewardship plan that emphasizeshealthy ecosystems and habitat preservationthroughout all our parks.

The Vision park board will establish new

permanent fxtures in our parks such as chessboards, maj jong tables, and croquet equipmentthat require low maintenance while at the sametime providing recreational opportunities orpeople o all ages.

We will work to access provincial and ederalunding or out-door exercise equipment

installations, as well as to trans orm existingwading pools into water parks and new innovativerecreational uses.

We will also improve the o -leash dog policies,working rom the premise that we need a citywide network o separated o leash areas, notstaggered times o o leash. Park Board sta willalso continue to work closely with the city onen orcement to ensure better compliance with o -leash regulations.

Vision will strengthen the relationships with localfeld sports associations to jointly address ongoingissues o feld maintenance, feld allocation and the

construction o additional artifcial tur felds.


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AFFORDABLE PROGRAMS FOREVERYONEAccessibility or children, seniors, and amilies o all incomes is at the heart o Visions commitmentto parks and recreation. We have someo the bestparks acilities in the world, but it is important that allresidents not just the well-o have the ability toenjoy them.

Next term, the Vision Park Board will ensure that allees are consistent and a ordable and will also ensure

that the universal exipass andLeisure AccessCards are honoured at all Park Board acilities.

We will also introduce a pilot program o ree amilydays at recreational acilities, where amilies can enjoyselect programming at no cost.

PARK BOARD

FOCUS ON FRONT-LINE SERVICESAND STRENGTHEN FISCALRESPONSIBILITY

The Vision Park Board has protected valuablecommunity services whilebeing fscally responsiblein tough economic times. As part o the VancouverServices Review, the Park Board reviewed all internaloperations and services with the goal to fndinge ciencies.

By merging such services such as sanitation in with

city departments and moving to a unctional modelo administration, rather than district model, VisionVancouver will save Vancouver taxpayers hundreds o thousands o dollars annually.

We will also work to streamline the Park Boardsmanagement to ensure the most cost-e ectiveinternal sta ng possible. We will ensure anorganizational policy shi ts towards more ocusand resources on ront-line service delivery or thecommunity. This will include having ront-line park board sta trained to assist citizens in crisis.

To support the mission and fscal resiliency o the Park Board, Vision will establish a Park BoardCharitable Foundation which will ocus on thecreation o legacy projects through donations.


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MAKE ARTS AND CULTUREFUNDAMENTAL TO OUR COMMUNITYCENTRES

Our parks and recreational acilities provide ampleopportunities to engage local artists and per ormers,and enable citizens new opportunities to enjoy thearts.

Next term, the Vision Park Board will expand theArtists in Communities program, as well as extendthe Street Entertainment program to parks andrecreational acilities, giving artists new access tovenues, such as unused feld houses.

We will also partner with local galleries and artists tohave rotating art displays in our community centresand parks.

FOLLOW THROUGH ON THEGREENEST CITY PLAN

The Park Board is at the ore ront o makingVancouver the greenest city in the world by 2020.Next term we will introduce a green purchasingpolicy or all Park Board operations, and implementa city-wide zero waste program or all recreational

acilities.

Vision believes that the Park Board should play acrucial role in supporting neighbourhood oodsecurity. We will implement policies and practicesthat will integrate the recommendations o theVancouver Food Policy Council into all aspects o park and acility operations.

A Vision Park Board will encourage educationalopportunities to teach the residents aboutsustainable living and practices by partnering up withgroups such as the Environmental Youth Alliance.

PARK BOARD


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PLATFORM 2011

Documents

Vision Vancouver platform 2011