Cambie Report

At some point Brenda Locke should get tired of losing, but today is not that day. It does inspire us to think of Surrey as a grand collective delusion that we're all experiencing. Importantly though, voting isn't speech and the constitution still doesn't recognize municipalities.In Vancouver, Council wants to keep property taxes low, there are squabbles at the Park Board but maybe we can sell off naming rights to our parks to solve our budget woes (spoiler: we can't). Ken Sim will continue to operate on vibes, however. Throughout that, Vancouver is behind on its housing targets but it has plenty of company from municipalities still grumbling about the province forcing them to upzone all residential zones.George Harvie is still in hot water over travel expenditures, Port Moody mulled a lobbyist registry, Langley City is banning daycares and Coquitlam nearly banned joy.And you should all go save the WISE Hall.LinksSurrey loses court bid to keep RCMP As Brenda Locke's policing losses mount, mandate argument weak

No fun city? Unless you want to gamble. Surrey policing drama. Mayors behaving badly.LinksJohn Coupar runs for BC ConservativesVancouver mayor cautious about organizing Canucks watch parties | CBC NewsVancouver mulls viewing area for ’amazing’ Canucks’ fans | The ProvinceRoxy Fever…the Podcast! (@roxyfever) / XInvestigations Initiated into Potential Contraventions of the Local Elections Campaign Financing ActVancouver council considers 'modifying' moratorium on gambling expansionDate set for Surrey Police Service to take over from RCMP: FarnworthBombshell hidden provincial report confirms SPS costs to skyrocket by $750M | City of SurreySurrey Police Deloitte reportSurrey mayor’s ‘withdrawal of service’ complaint about SPS officers called ‘hurtful’B.C. judge refuses to seal documents alleging RCMP bullying against Surrey policeUPDATE: RCMP union says its officers can't work under Surrey Police without federal law changesDelta council votes to remove Mayor Harvie as Metro chairJas Johal on George HarvieThread o

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.LinksVancouver Coun. Christine Boyle secures B.C. NDP nomination | CBC NewsAndrea Reimer's thread on her lossABC raises most while OneCity has largest supporter base – Cambie ReportLocal party fundraising beyond Vancouver in 2023Minister’s statement on Surrey policing transition | BC Gov NewsSurrey police chief sees path now to completing transition | Vancouver SunProposed changes to Vancouver Charter will help build more homes fasterHealth

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 councillorsVancouver councillor withdraws application for city cash to cover Junos trip with mayorIntegrity investigation finds Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim discriminated against Park Board commissionerVancouver Host First Nations support Park Board dissolutionLetter from MST nations Dan Fumano: Vancouver park board abolition not coming before B.C. election, Premier Eby saysCommunity associations ask B.C. not to eliminate Park BoardDan Fumano: Psychedelics are illegal — and Vancouver police say criminal charges could be co

Park board abolition, budget task force and naming rights, car-free gastown and more.LinksMuni Ministry - Park Board MMA-2023-33456.pdfVancouver 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 boardVancouver-area Indigenous groups refuse to endorse mayor’s plan to dismantle park board - The Globe and Mail2 local First Nations support Vancouver Park Board plan Mayor's Budget Taskforce ReportVancouver mayor says city could generate $100M via naming rights of buildings, parksCommissioner says no conflict in Rolling Stones' promo at Vancouver city hallDan Fumano: ABC Vancouver returns $116000 in prohibited donations from 2022 electionHigh-profile member of Vancouver Police Board resigns - BC | Globalnews.caVancouver Police Board member resigns, cites conflicts of interest, political interference | CBC NewsMetro Vancouver bus strike averted as 2 sides accept mediator’

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.LinksTransitMovement.caOur 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.LinksMayor moving to dismantle Vancouver Park BoardVancouver's mayor makes a bold step to eliminate the park board — at the risk of dividing his party | CBC NewsMove to abolish Vancouver park board reveals rift in Mayor Ken Sim's ABC party9 points on the ABC Vancouver split over the future of the park boardThe motionThe letter to the ABCD councillorsRenting Vancouver City Hall to Rolling Stones promoters is peak Sim City cringeRegulations, policy manuals issue

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.LinksLegislation 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 NewsLegislation introduced to streamline delivery of homes, services, infrastructure | BC Gov NewsNew standardized designs will help build more homes quicker | BC Gov NewsEby says governments must step up on housing, can't rely on private sector - Real Estate | Business in VancouverBC looking at Vienna & Singapore models of public housingIt took 5 months, but B.C. Govt FOI response reveals the ten ‘experts’ guiding the hammer of provincial housing policy | CityHallWatchCould BC's push to densify housing around

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.LinksLittle Mountain developer says social housing requirement stalling progress on market condosA bit of history (thread)Results of the vote (McElroy on Twitter) Vancouver city councillor criticizes amendment that calls for further study of intersection camerasVancouver police arrest 2 after raids on Drug User Liberation Front | CBC NewsVancouver police bust three storefronts selling psilocybin and psychedelicsVancouver police announce 258 arrests in latest violent

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.LinksCity of Surrey launches court proceeding to halt police transition (City announcement with petition)Surrey launches policing review in B.C. Supreme Court | CityNews VancouverMinister’s statement on Surrey policing | BC Gov NewsCity of Vancouver parts ways with chief plannerVancouver council approves ‘missing middle’ motion allowing up to 8 homes per lot - BC | Globalnews.caDan Fumano: Vancouver Mayor Sim and ABC majority pledge housing actionKen Sim housing motionVancouver City Council to consider review on how view cones impact housing100 Cops, Not Even 10 Nurses | The TyeeDa

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.LinksVancouver graffiti for climate change action (inspiration for the song Heat Dome)Dan Fumano: How a Vancouver neighbourhood fought, and defeated, a daycareDan Fumano: Vancouver parents desperate for daycare slam city hall rejectionDan Fumano: Vancouver councillors promise action after daycare's rejectionRental housing tower approval rescinded after developer paid supporters in public hearingVancouver School Board tells judge it is considering selling a prime piece of land - The Globe and MailNew staff at the Mayor's OfficeA look at who's who in Ken Sim's officeVancouver bylaw official tries to close hookah shops - Retail & ManufacturingEra of building single-family home neighbourhoods is over: Coquitlam mayorCoquitlam should build 'conventional' townhomes: councillorWhy Burnaby De

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.LinksVancouver mayor shotguns beer at outdoor festival | CBC.caCouncillor doesn't regret shotgunning drink with Vancouver mayor, does regret it was vodka cream soda | CBC NewsDecision on Surrey Police Service ensures public safety in Surrey, the province | BC Gov News5 things to know as B.C. orders Surrey to continue transition to municipal police forceSurrey police decision draws mixed reaction | CityNews VancouverSurrey Mayor Brenda Locke to 'explore options' as B.C. shuts down bid to stay with RCMPMissing middle housing motion set for Vancouver city council vote - Real EstateCould the Missing Middle Solve the Housing Crisis? | The WalrusDan Fumano: Modular housing was meant to be temporary. ABC wants to make sure it stays that wayAfter 15 Years, Little Mountain’s Housing P

Surrey policing drama, disqualifications, ethics issues, car-free pilots and mean girls.LinksOlivia Chow requests to take office July 12, says first order of business is housingSurrey mayor threatens to call for inquiry into policing transition after Farnworth’s ultimatumSurrey mayor levels allegations of bullying and misogyny as policing debate shows no sign of ending | CBC NewsSurrey mayor declined meetings with Surrey Police while reinstating RCMP - The Globe and MailRob Shaw: RCMP union tells province to respect Surrey council's wish to retain its Mounties force - Economy, Law & Politics | Business in VancouverLocke campaigning hard for case for retaining Surrey RCMP - Surrey Now-LeaderSurrey finds councillor in conflict of interest | CityNews VancouverSurrey Ethics Commissioner Investigation Report: Complaint M0323Progress Vancouver Deregistered, Candidates Disqualified | Elections BCMark Marissen statementElectoral Area A candidates fail to file election finance statements | Georgia Straight Vancouv

A jury convened by a Coroner's Inquest has deemed the death of Myles Gray to be a homicide, seven years after he was dead following an altercation with Vancouver Police. But this is only the latest in a long history of challenges for policing in Vancouver. Meanwhile, the province has recommended Surrey continue transitioning to the Surrey Police Service and Brenda Locke refuses to read the reasons why.Vancouver Council opts to make Gastown car free but also wants to give developers a big cheque. Burnaby is still figuring out the Alternative Approval Process and considering moving city hall.And the Park Board mulls a goose cull.LinksMyles Gray inquest: Death deemed homicide in Vancouver police beating - BC | Globalnews.ca Vancouver police officers claim union reps told them not to take notes after death of Myles Gray | CBC NewsFirefighters say VPD officers told them not to check Myles Gray's condition in last moments: report | CBC NewsJury VerdictStop ignoring the brutal, racist history of the Vancouver Police

Ken Sim clears Hastings Street and has thoughts on housing. Brenda Locke stands by her interpretation of a meeting.LinksVancouver police, city staff begin removing encampment on East Hastings Street | CBC NewsCity of Vancouver document calls for using police to speed up clearing DTES street campsBack on Vancouver's Hastings Street with no tent, no mattress and nowhere to goVancouver readies 'quick response teams' in case tents return to East Hastings Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim brings in outside experts to review city budgetCity of Vancouver to pre-zone Cambie Corridor properties to speed up 1600 new townhomesTeam behind Army & Navy project asks city to approve new development - The Globe and MailPlan to build single-family home on nine-foot-wide Vancouver lot rejected by cityJustin McElroy on Twitter: "Ken Sim floats the idea.."Vancouver to allow drinking in public plazas year-roundStatement from the Mayor: Metro Vancouver Mayor’s Committee Unanimously Supports Retaining Surrey RCMPSurrey RCMP comments from

The Globe and Mail's exclusive claims China attempted to interfere in Vancouver's 2022 election and councillor Lenny Zhou is in the crosshairs. The Broadway Plan is up for a series of votes, ABC wants grant recipients to be nicer and a roundup of other recent news.LinksChina’s Vancouver consulate interfered in 2022 municipal election, according to CSIS - The Globe and Mail Vancouver councillor refutes 'absolutely nonsense' suggestion he is pro-Beijing supporterRussil Wvong reactionFormer Vancouver mayor Kennedy Stewart’s campaign fails to pay bill to small business owner - BC | Globalnews.caFormer Vancouver mayor Kennedy Stewart awarded $100K to cover cost of fighting NPA defamation case | CBC NewsBroadway Plan moves full speed ahead, council votes against pace-of-change policyVancouver City Council to eliminate southward view cones of City Hall | UrbanizedVancouver Broadway bike lanes not likelyDan Fumano: Non-profits seeking funds must be 'respectful,' Vancouver council saysHelp wanted: B.C. hiring municipa

Vancouver passes a budget that "sucks" and kills the Living Wage. Progress Vancouver admits to breaking election financing laws. And the City is clearing tents and considering a new hotel.Meanwhile, Burnaby is running an "alternative approval process" for a green waste facility, Surrey cops allege conflicts of interest and Harrison Hot Springs appeals to the Inspector of Municipalities to fix its council.Mission school board has banned an extremist group from future presentation and Coquitlam council applauds pro-LGBTQ+ students.And how you can be in the City of Vancouver's Book of Freedoms.LinksVancouver passes new budget with 10.7% property tax increase | CBC NewsText of ABC budget amendmentWhy can one Metro Vancouver municipality keep property taxes much lower than others?City of Vancouver backs away from living wage pledge after council vote in closed meeting | CBC NewsStatement on City of Vancouver's decision to withdraw as Living Wage EmployerWorking for a Living Wage ReportDefeated Vancouver mayoral ho

Elections BC has released the financial reports from the 2022 municipal elections and we can see how efficient each party's spending was. Meanwhile, the staff report from the Climate Emergency Action Plan is pretty bleak and ABC opted to slash the climate justice charter from its further implementation. This prompted a question of whether ABC is predetermining outcomes of council votes (probably), which is better than in New West where they just have too many votes.Back in Vancouver, successful votes mean social housing near the Italian Cultural Centre and the end of the single use cup fee. It also means the end of the Stanley Park bike lane - at least until another round of consultations is completed on installing a permanent lane. Until then, feel free to join Critical Mass once again on the last Friday of every month.The cops and nurses plan turns out to be just cops. Langley SkyTrain is on track. And Surrey homeowners will pay more but not 55% more.And in schools, Vancouver removes a racists' name, Coquit

Whether Gregorian or Lunar, Happy New Year.We're back to look at missing middle initiatives in Victoria and Vancouver. Plus what's hot and not for ABC. Surrey won't have an answer on policing anytime soon. And Kennedy Stewart is in the news once more.LinksVictoria council adopts divisive missing middle housing programMissing Middle Housing Initiative | Have Your Say'Plex appeal: Vancouver eyeing six-unit housing in low-density neighbourhoodsVancouver staff presentation and reportHere are the transit projects Metro Van mayors want in the next decade | CBC News .Minister’s statement on Surrey policing transition | BC Gov News Richard Zussman on Twitter: "NEW - Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke says Surrey residents will have to pay a one-time tax increase of 55%, in addition to the normal tax rate set by council to pay for Surrey Police Service transition if B.C. Government rejects proposal to stay with RCMP. #bcpoli" / TwitterABC defends axing Vancouver Renter Office, citing ‘duplication of service’ - BC | Globalnews.

Motions are passing unanimously at council but marginally more controversially at Park Board. The planning department is a mess, as is policing south of the Fraser. And sculptures!LinksBoyle nonprofit housing motion passesVancouver City Council approves exploring expediting social housing up to 12 storeys Text of the Klassen amendment Hardwick abstained from speakingCAC motion passes Vancouver Park Board approves immediate removal of Stanley Park Drive bike lane Thousands of Vancouver housing units in limbo in tug-of-war between developers, city planners - The Globe and MailCity of Vancouver must reconsider controversial Chinatown development application, court rules Court ruling In defense of the "gentrification building" Surrey council votes to scrap police transition, B.C. public safety minister respondsSurrey policing: 'Power politics' at play in final decision, says criminologistLangley, the township, is interested in breaking up with Langley, the city, on RCMP costs | CBC NewsNew Langley Township counci