Thursday December 14, 2023 | VANCOUVER, BC [Updated December 15, 2023]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Last night, the City of Vancouver’s council passed a motion requesting that the Province amend the Vancouver Charter and abolish the democratically elected Park Board so that responsibilities can be shifted to the municipality.
Today Premier David Eby said during a media availability in Vancouver that the province will be expecting to see a detailed transition plan from the City of Vancouver.
He itemized that the plan will need to include engagement issues (including with Indigenous communities), the future of staff, and the future and transition of facilities.
The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation currently has a 10-goal plan to shape the city’s parks over 25 years.
Political points:
Today BC Green Leader Sonia Furstenau released a copy of the letter her party has sent to Municipal Affairs Minister Anne Kang, saying it’s important for the province to protect the democratic processes and the democratically-elected members of the Vancouver Park Board.
The board has seven members, elected separately from city council. The parks board level of governance in the broader Vancouver area is seen as an entry-point for new politicians.
But Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim said last week on Focus BC (Global TV) that streamlining the governance of parks and recreational facilities around Vancouver will save money and improve efficiency of decision-making and service.
It would be fair to say that the City of Vancouver’s mayor and council are elected on a broader platform than park board commissioners.
Municipalities usually do parks:
Parks and recreation are handled within municipal governance in many other large cities, not separately (though here on Vancouver Island several recreational facilities are handled by the Capital Regional District as well as by a separate society West Shore Parks and Recreation in the west shore area, in addition to some municipalities operating their own including Saanich and Oak Bay).
Here on Vancouver Island there is the Capital Regional District (CRD) level of governance which over the years has spurred conversation and suggestion that another layer of government produces inefficiencies. The CRD provides policy and services to 13 municipalities and three electoral areas on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, serving about 440,000 people. Some municipalities already have inter-dependency agreements, and each election cycle there is always talk of amalgamation.
About the Vancouver Parks Board:
The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation currently looks after 250 public parks and beaches, VanDusen Botanical Garden, Bloedel Conservatory and a large public recreation system of community centres, pools, rinks, fitness centres, golf courses, street trees, marinas, sports fields, and playgrounds.
The Park Board is made up of seven commissioners, who are elected at large for a four-year term (most recently in 2022). The seven commissioners are Brennan Bastyovanszky (board vice-chair), Lauren Christensen, Tom Digby, Angela Haer, Marie-Claire Howard, Scott Jensen (board chair), and Jas Virdi.
The chair and the vice chair are elected by the commissioners for a one-year term.
They state their mission as to provide, preserve, and advocate for parks and recreation services to benefit all people, communities, and the environment.
UPDATE December 15, 2023:
“Wednesday’s vote is the first step towards bringing parks and recreation under the direct oversight of Council, with the objective to enhance operational efficiency and community involvement. Excited to continue working with our Provincial partners to bring about a new era of parks in the City of Vancouver.” ~ Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim
“We respect the decision of Vancouver city council on the future of the park board. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs will begin work with the city to move forward on this significant change to governance in Vancouver. There are a number of items that need to be addressed, including land ownership and the future of the workers at the park board, and we need to make sure First Nations are consulted. We are asking the City of Vancouver to provide the Province with a transition plan to address these considerations so we can move forward together.” ~ Anne Kang, Minister of Municipal Affairs
===== RELATED NEWS:
- Tree planting event by City of Langford on Earth Day 2023 (April 22, 2023)
- Saanich seeks public input on people, pets & parks (June 1, 2022)
- West Shore Parks and Recreation opens a child care space (November 30, 2021)