November 2024 Update: Keeping the Dream of Homeownership Alive

As the year draws to a close, November was a month filled with remarkable events and initiatives that highlight the vibrant spirit of our community and our ongoing efforts to foster connection and progress. During the first half of the month I served as Deputy Mayor, and represented the City of Vancouver at numerous community engagements, including at the Remembrance Day Ceremony at Memorial South Park. Here are some of the notable highlights from my activities during the month:

Vancouver Tourism Awards Gala Breakfast

I was honoured to represent the City of Vancouver at the 33rd Annual Vancouver Tourism Awards Gala Breakfast. Congratulations to all the award winners and nominees! Your exceptional service and dedication to excellence make our city welcoming and vibrant. Thank you for your invaluable contributions.

Celestial Celebration Fundraising Gala

Congratulations to Together We Can on hosting their 7th annual Celestial Celebration Fundraising Gala. This Vancouver-based organization supports addiction and mental health treatment and recovery for hundreds at a time. The funds raised at the gala will provide crucial services to those in need. I am inspired by TWC’s leadership team and their life-saving work.

Canadian Human Connection Conference

I was excited to bring greetings from the City of Vancouver at the 3rd Annual Canadian Human Connection Conference. Kudos to GenWell Project and the Canadian Alliance for Social Connection and Health for bringing together experts like Pete Bombaci to share research, insights, and strategies for building more connected communities.

Attainable Homeownership Policy Framework

Let’s keep the dream of homeownership alive in Vancouver! Thank you to City Council for unanimously supporting my motion for an attainable homeownership policy framework. Innovative solutions like the Heather Lands project show the way forward. Let’s lower barriers and create opportunities for first-time buyers.

Meeting with Paralympic Champion Nathan Clement

A highlight of the month was meeting with Canadian Paralympic champion and Silver Medalist in Para Cycling, Nathan Clement. It was an honour to hold the medal he won in Paris! Councillor Lisa Dominato and I discussed with Nathan the urgent need for more accessible community amenities and housing.

Supporting Small Businesses

I am grateful for the ongoing relationship our Council has forged with the BIA Partnership. As we work together to support our small business and retail sector, we are redoubling efforts to reduce red tape and lowering the property tax rate. Successful small businesses are integral to making Vancouver a more vibrant and prosperous city.

Whole Way House Remembrance Day Fundraiser

Congratulations to Whole Way House on hosting its first-ever Remembrance Day fundraiser in support of their veterans housing. Thanks to the efforts of their team, led by Jenny Konkin, Whole Way House has been a beacon of hope and support for seniors and veterans in Vancouver. It was an honour to express on behalf of Mayor and Council our deep appreciation for their resilience and strength.

Grief, Bereavement and Mental Health Summit

I’m thankful for the opportunity I was given to moderate an important panel discussion at the Grief, Bereavement and Mental Health Summit 2024 hosted by BCHPCA. Huge thanks to Pablita Thomas and her team for organizing this event.

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Other November highlights

Blanket BC Donation Drive

Thanks to Blanket BC organizers and volunteers, Canada Line stations hosted drop off boxes at all stations for 2 days during November where members of the public can donate blankets or cash in support of people living in precarious conditions. Councillor Lenny Zhou and I enjoyed spending time with the enthusiastic volunteers at the Broadway-City Hall station. All of your contributions help people stay warm during winter.

Hogan’s Alley Society Rezoning Amendment

I am delighted that Council unanimously supported Hogan’s Alley Society’s rezoning amendment for the corner of Main & Union Streets. This project will create 108 housing units and reallocate all residential space to social housing. It was especially touching when Vincent Fodera, owner of the Jimi Hendrix Shrine, shared his memorabilia in the Council chamber, reminding us of the profound legacy of music tied to this site. This project supports cultural redress for Vancouver’s Black community.

Q&A with Federal Minister of Immigration

Thank you to the Board of Trade for inviting me to a Q&A with federal Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marc Miller, moderated by GVBOT CEO Bridgitte Anderson. It was an important discussion of the complexities around Canada’s immigration policies and the challenges we face in balancing growth with economic sustainability.

Housing Central Conference

Housing Central is B.C.’s largest gathering of people working in and supporting social and nonprofit housing. The second day of the conference was kicked off by Thom Armstrong. As in past years, the networking and table conversations were valuable and enriching for our work in the City of Vancouver. The session on seniors housing and health was brilliant, and the B.C. politics panel was insightful.

Grey Cup Celebrations

What a week of Grey Cup celebrations, capped with an exciting game at BC Place. Shout out to the organizers, volunteers, and the ~30,000 visitors who celebrated in our city! The spirit and camaraderie were truly inspiring.

Lapu-Lapu Festival Celebration

We had good fun and a great cause in celebrating Vancouver’s vibrant Filipino community, including its culture, food, music, and amazing people. Councillors brought greetings and words of support for the 2025 Lapu-Lapu Festival.

Vancouver Mural Festival Fundraising Event

The Vancouver Mural Festival fundraising event hosted at Fluevog Shoes was incredible! Celebrated local music artist Dan Mangan performed two new songs and spoke passionately about the power of public art to transform our city. Feeling inspired and grateful to be part of a community that values and supports public art.

Holodomor Commemoration

Thank you to the organizers of the ceremony commemorating the 91st anniversary of Holodomor. On that day, we stood united in remembrance and solidarity. We honour the memory of the millions of innocent Ukrainian lives lost and the resilience of the Ukrainian people. Together, we remember, unite, and shall overcome.

JUNO Awards Announcement

It was a thrill to attend the 2025 JUNO Awards announcement at CBC Vancouver! Huge shout out to CARAS CEO Allan Reid for making this happen. Excited to see Michael Bublé hosting at Rogers Arena on March 30th and celebrating Sum 41’s induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Can’t wait for JUNO Week in Vancouver and all the amazing music and celebrations it will bring!

Christmas Tree Lighting Event

We had an amazing time at Vancouver’s largest Christmas tree lighting event at the Vancouver Art Gallery, where the atmosphere was as electric as the 100,000 lights on the tree. Santa Claus and emcee Fred Lee added to the excitement felt by thousands in attendance! A big thank you to Amacon for presenting this wonderful event and to everyone who came out and made it a magical night!

Through my community engagement I’m filled with so much hope for the future of our city. By working together we are creating a brighter, more connected, and inclusive future for all residents of Vancouver. Thank you for your ongoing support and engagement!