Vancouver's new city council expected to fast-track measures to 'uplift' Chinatown
Vancouver’s new mayor and council hold their first meeting this week and one of the items on the agenda involves helping the embattled Chinatown neighbourhood.
On Tuesday, Coun. Sarah Kirby-Yung will put forward a motion titled “Urgent Measures to Uplift Vancouver’s Chinatown,” which aims to fast-track a number of measures for the community.
Motion, Urgent Measures to Uplift Vancouver’s Chinatown, November 15, 2022
“They need support in dealing with things ranging from graffiti, vandalism, ongoing random attacks, just general cleanliness and to create a neighborhood where people want to visit,” Kirby-Yung said.
Immediate plans include beefing up cleaning of streets, alleys and sidewalks, creating new graffiti removal strategies and adding more lighting and murals. One long term plan is to establish a satellite city hall in Chinatown, one of the ABC party’s campaign promises.
“It would be so that mayor and council could work on a regular basis from this office and see what’s really happening on a day-to-day,” Kirby-Yung said.
The idea is being welcomed by Jordan Eng, president of the Chinatown Business Improvement Association.
“We’re really excited that they're going to open an office here,” Eng said. “In order to feel the neighborhood you have to be in the neighborhood.”
Eng was part of a Vancouver delegation that travelled to San Francisco earlier this year to see how the Chinatown community there achieved successes after dealing with similar problems of street disorder, racist vandalism, and crime. The trip was paid for by the Vancouver Police Foundation.
“The big difference was there was support from the leadership up top, that was really evident in San Francisco,” Eng said, adding there were also “beat cops” who patrolled the area 24/7 and improved communication between business owners and the local council.
Kirby-Yung’s motion will be presented to council on Tuesday and is likely to pass with an ABC majority.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL has suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.