April 2024 Update: Breaking ground on Little Mountain social housing

After a week-long break with my family to start the month of April, I was quickly thrust back into work with an early online meeting as Vancouver’s designate for the B.C. Urban Mayors Caucus where we met Premier David Eby and Minister for Local Government Anne Kang to discuss a range of topics affecting our cities.

April 9 was also a Council meeting day, which got underway after Mayor and Council proclaimed Eid al-Fitr – the “breaking of the fast” of Ramadan – in the City of Vancouver. With prominent leaders of our Muslim faith community present, Council restated its firm commitment to condemn Islamophobia and all expressions of hate in our city.

That same week I accompanied Councillor Lenny Zhou at an uplifting memorial ceremony at Mountain View Cemetery in tribute to Benjamin “Benson” Flores. Historical records indicate that Flores was the first immigrant from the Philippines to have lived in British Columbia, upon arriving in the 1860s. His final resting spot is at an unmarked grave at the cemetery. It was a proud moment for all in attendance, including many of the prominent members of the Filipino community. Lenny and I were so pleased we were there to proclaim Benson Flores Day in the City of Vancouver.

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Earlier I wrote about the grand opening of PAL New West – a 66-unit building built for deserving members of the arts and entertainment sector. Many arts professionals in our city feel huge pressure to live elsewhere especially due to high housing costs. We cannot afford to lose our most talented and creative artists and performers, which is why I remain committed to finding solutions to this challenge.

I joined Mayor Ken Sim and Councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung at a press conference hosted by Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services (VFRS). City Council had recently approved funding to that made VFRS the first fire department in North America to transition to turnout gear free from Per-and-Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). “Occupational cancer” is an unacceptable reality for our firefighters, and I’m proud that our City is the first of hopefully many departments to procure PFAS-free bunker gear.

Mid-April is the traditional time for the Vaisakhi Festival and Parade. To start the day, I joined Mayor Sim and fellow councillors and park commissioners to pay reverence to Sikh community and faith leaders at the Ross Street Gurdwara. Vaisakhi marks the commemoration of Khalsa by the 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

The Vancouver Vaisakhi Parade which followed this ceremony is one of the largest festivals in the world. This year’s spectacular sunny day attracted approximately 200,000 festival goers, who enjoyed music and free food or Langar served by volunteers. The free food at Vaisakhi serves to break down social and economic barriers, build community, cultivate compassion, and encourage selfless service.

While we count down the months to the scheduled 2026 opening of the Broadway Line SkyTrain, it is exciting to see how the new stations along the line are transforming the route along with new housing and commercial spaces. Cllr. Zhou and I were able to take in the views from the top floors at the new 39-storey residential and office building under construction at the NE corner of Granville Street and West Broadway. A much-needed grocery store to be operated by Save-On Foods will also be a part of this site.

The downpour that happened during the Little Mountain housing groundbreaking did not dampen our excitement at finally seeing construction underway for a new City of Vancouver owned building. This building will be the location of a new Neighbourhood House, a childcare centre, a public plaza and 48 units of affordable non-market rental housing. After the ceremony I visited with long-time Little Mountain resident and community champion Ingrid Steenhuisen.

Other April highlights:

  • Brought greetings to the 1st Lapu-Lapu Day Festival — “South Vancouver’s best block party”
  • Celebrated the new Fraser Street banners (I project I initiated prior to running for office)
  • Proclaimed BC Adaptive Snowsports 50th Anniversary in the City of Vancouver
  • Joined fellow councillors and community leaders at the DTES Community Collaboration Event
  • Presented proclamation for “International Transgender Day of Visibility” with QMUNITY
  • Celebrating Sikh Heritage Month at Vancouver City Hall
  • Attended the UNDRIP Final Summit for Urban Indigenous community members
  • Delivered greetings from City of Vancouver at the 4th Annual Private Wealth Canada Forum
  • Joined organizers in celebrating of new YVR & PAFN Accessibility Training initiative
  • Marked the Day of Mourning for Persons Killed or Injured in the Workplace at Jack Poole Plaza