On Vancouver's new cup and bag bans, and associated fees

On Vancouver’s new cup and bag bans, and associated fees

January 1, 2022 saw the introduction of Vancouver’s new bylaws and fees designed to reduce the use and waste of single use items and very specifically plastic bags and disposable cups.

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Ambulance and Air ambulance parked at Vancouver Waterfront

Planning to Support Distributed Ambulance Services in the City of Vancouver

Following catastrophic loss of life across the Lower Mainland during June 2021’s heat dome, this resolution directed staff to look at opportunities to better support distributed BC Ambulance Services in Vancouver.

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In Vancouver, social housing probably doesn’t mean what you think it does

In Vancouver, social housing probably doesn’t mean what you think it does

As the city defines it, a building is considered 100 per cent social housing if it’s rental housing that includes a minimum of 30 per cent low-market rents.

A fanciful promise to “make it easier to build social housing than mansions” failed to win support at Vancouver council last week.

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BC's outdated wrongful death law

BC’s outdated wrongful death law

VANCOUVER

Unanimous support from my colleagues at Vancouver CIty Council to encourage the province to update BC’s Wrongful Death Law. We are the only Canadian province who have not updated our wrongful death legislation – which currently fails “non-breadwinners” children, elders, the disabled, and disproportionately high number of indigenous peoples.

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Updating BC’s Wrongful Death Law

Updating BC’s Wrongful Death Law

Tragically, hundreds of British Columbians will experience the loss of a loved one each year, and in the event of a wrongful death many will discover they cannot access legal representation or recourse.

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Roadmap for clearing the tent city at Strathcona Park

Roadmap for clearing the tent city at Strathcona Park

VANCOUVER

Finally we have a coordinated response rolling out for Strathcona Park; with City, Parks and new provincial government at the table.

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Local State of Emergency  Declared in Vancouver

Local State of Emergency Declared in Vancouver

VANCOUVER, community safety, COVID

Emergency Operations team (led by City Manager, Deputy City Manager and our Fire Chief) powers to react more swiftly to issues as we need to keep our city safe: ie shutting down unsafe situations, thwarting hoarding and price gouging, procuring emergency supplies and even temporary expropriations.

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Considering a Local State of Emergency

Considering a Local State of Emergency

VANCOUVER, community safety, COVID

The City is preparing to declare a State of Local Emergency.

While that sounds scary, it’s no reason to panic. SOLE is a legal tool that allows us to shut down risky establishments, mitigate price gouging & hoarding, and keep our City COVID-safe.

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Extinguishing Consumer Fireworks

Extinguishing Consumer Fireworks

COUNCIL RESOLUTION

What started as a quixotic quest that earned me the ire of fireworks aficionados, some friends and neighbours, and a few councillors resulted in a tremendous outpouring of public support. The motion to ban consumer fireworks went from no support at council to a commanding endorsement at a remarkable change for our city.

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