Vancouver ending 'block stewardship' contract with Downtown Eastside group
The City of Vancouver is ending its contract with a Downtown Eastside organization that it hired to help keep streets in the neighbourhood clean.
The city's contract with Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users was scheduled to run for six months from July of this year to January 2023.
The purpose of the agreement, according to the city, was to implement a "Block Stewardship Pilot Program" for the zero through 300 blocks of East Hastings Street.
In a statement, the city said the contract aimed to "explore the potential for such a program to offer support for sidewalk cleanliness and as a potential alternative to requesting (Vancouver Police Department) support for street and traffic bylaw enforcement."
"After an interim assessment of the program, it is evident that VANDU placed emphasis on community development and individual empowerment rather than street cleaning," the statement continued.
"While this has value – and a forthcoming evaluation will provide further information for future consideration – the city requires a focus on cleaning, and as a transition, will engage with other community groups to provide cleaning services."
The contract was worth $320,000. It's unclear how much of that money had been spent through the first four months of the contract.
"In the coming weeks, a (request for proposals) opportunity will be made available to non-profits with capacity and experience working with communities experiencing marginalization to deliver focused cleaning programs," the city said in its statement.
"City crews will continue their daily efforts to clean the streets and remove material from the area."
The city thanked VANDU for "its efforts and work along East Hastings."
"We continue to work in close partnership with a variety of community organizations to balance the needs of those experiencing homelessness while addressing serious life, safety and fire risks in the area," the city said.
The presence of a tent city along the sidewalks of Hastings Street near Main Street has been a source of controversy for months.
In July, Vancouver's fire chief ordered the removal of tents from the sidewalk because of safety concerns, saying a fire in the area would quickly become "catastrophic."
Residents of the encampment have responded with protests and legal action, declaring that they have nowhere else to go.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Thieves use stolen forklift to rip cash machine out of U.K. bank
Police in the U.K. are searching for a group of suspects seen on video using a forklift to steal a cash machine from a bank.
'There was a lot of black smoke': Crane operator sounds alarm while trapped during highrise fire in Halifax
A tower crane operator alerted emergency crews after noticing a fire on a construction site in Halifax Tuesday morning.
Cherry blossoms blooming in Canada: Here's what to know
There is a swaying sea of colour in some cities across Canada, and it's a sure sign of spring: cherry blossoms are in bloom.