October 2024 Update: PFAS-Free Gear arrives for Vancouver’s firefighters

October has been a bustling month filled with events that celebrate innovation, culture, and community spirit. Here are some of the notable highlights from my activities this month:

Supporting Firefighters with PFAS-Free Gear

Recognizing the importance of supporting our firefighters, Council approved new PFAS-free turnout gear to reduce cancer risk, the leading cause of death for firefighters in Canada. The distribution of this gear across the city is one of our Council’s most consequential decisions, and I am proud to have supported this initiative and join the official launch ceremony with Mayor Sim and Chief Karen Fry.

Frontier Summit 2024

The Frontier Summit 2024 brought a community of innovators, creators, and visionaries to Vancouver. The energy, ideas, and collaborations were truly inspiring, and it’s exciting to see our city building an interconnected ecosystem of global entrepreneurs and changemakers.

Community Safety Forum

Thank you to Downtown Vancouver Association for hosting the 2024 Community Safety Forum. Engaging with experts from Portland, we learned about successful solutions and valuable lessons on decriminalization, crime, and social issues. These insights will be invaluable as we work to enhance community safety in Vancouver.

Signals 2024: A Creative Technology Expo

Kudos to DigiBC and VIFFest for organizing Signals 2024, a 7-day creative technology expo that showcased B.C.’s high-tech innovation and film production sector. The event brought together artists, tech pioneers, and industry leaders in an exciting collaboration of film, television, and A.I. The creativity and innovation on display were truly inspiring.

Tour of Hopehill Housing Community

I joined fellow Councillors on a tour of the Hopehill housing community, where the construction of a new 64-unit low-cost housing building for low-income seniors is well underway. This project, funded in part by a CHIPS grant, will provide much-needed affordable housing when it opens in February 2025. It’s incredible to see how Hopehill’s housing and programming benefit elderly residents and their families in this East Vancouver neighbourhood.

Dunbar Seniors Café Visit

Meeting with the wonderful women (and one brave fellow) of the Dunbar Seniors Café at St. Philip’s Church was a highlight of my month. We discussed ways to better support older adults in the community and shared laughter and warmth over our nearly 90-minute conversation. I was given a number of tasks to follow up on, and I’m grateful to staff at the Vancouver Park Board for their work to enhance programming for seniors in Dunbar.

Continue reading below…

Other October highlights

Hope Air Celebration

I had the honour of joining Hope Air’s celebration in Vancouver, recognizing the staff, Board members, volunteers, pilots, partners, and donors who have made over 16,500 travel arrangements possible for patients in financial need. Their unwavering support ensures that individuals, including many children and their families, can access essential medical care.

International Day of Older Persons

Working alongside our Older Persons & Elders Advisory Committee, I am pleased that the City of Vancouver will annually acknowledge International Day of Older Persons each October 1st. At the proclamation ceremony, we recognized the dedication of OPEAC chair Marc White and vice-chair Susan Scott-Gabe, who are stepping down after many years of service.

BC Restaurant Hall of Fame Awards

It was an exciting night at the 2024 BC Restaurant Hall of Fame Awards, where we honoured 28 incredible individuals who have made invaluable contributions to our industry. Our City Councillors were out in force to cheer on our food and hospitality sector, celebrating its achievements.

Diwali Celebrations

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. This month, homes were adorned with beautiful lamps and rangoli designs, and families came together to share sweets and gifts. Each year Diwali brings prosperity, happiness, and cherished moments to all.

Climate Emergency Dialogue

I had the privilege of participating in a dialogue titled “Climate Emergency: Tipping Points for Planetary Health” organized by the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE). Alongside Green Party leader Elizabeth May and outgoing MLA Aman Singh, we discussed climate policy advocacy and the importance of GHG emissions reductions through innovation.

Urban Indigenous Engagement

A heartfelt thank you to City staff, including Rachel Wuttenee, for their efforts during the Urban Indigenous Engagement event. It was a pleasure to hear from community members about their needs and to discuss ways to boost Indigenous involvement in City processes. Urban Indigenous Engagement is a key action item in Vancouver’s UNDRIP Framework.

Latin American Heritage Month

October is Latin American Heritage Month, and Mayor and Council officially proclaimed it as such in Vancouver at one of the most rousing community events of the month. During September we celebrate the vibrant culture, rich history, and invaluable contributions of the Latin American community that add to the diversity and dynamism of our city.

I look forward to the next 2 years of this term in Council and taking more steps to foster innovation, celebrate our diversity, and create a brighter future for all residents of Vancouver. Thank you for your ongoing support and engagement!