Vision Latest News

Posted by:
Vision Vancouver

8:44 am, Dec 8, 2013
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Vision Vancouver welcomes School Trustee Allan Wong
Five-term COPE School Trustee Allan Wong announced today that he has joined Vision Vancouver, building upon the experience, diversity and policy leadership of the Vision team serving on the Vancouver Board of Education.

“My priority has always been to provide strong advocacy for world-class public education in Vancouver, and I look forward to continuing work with my fellow Vision Vancouver trustees to ensure our students have the support they need,” said Trustee Allan Wong. “I am very proud of everything this School Board has accomplished to improve learning opportunities for Vancouver students of all backgrounds and aspirations, but we still have a lot more important work to do. Vision Vancouver is committed to strengthening our schools, communities, and public education system, and I am excited to be working with a positive team that reflects the full diversity of Vancouver.”

First elected with COPE in 1999, Wong was re-elected to the Vancouver Board of Education in 2002, 2005, 2008, and 2011. As a former Vice-Chair of the Board and currently Chair of the Planning and Facilities Committee, he has been a leading advocate for seismic upgrading in schools and for stronger investments to support ESL programming and students with special needs. He has served on the City of Vancouver’s Race Relations Advisory Committee and defended the Vancouver School Board’s anti-homophobia policy against attacks from the NPA.
Posted by:
Vision Vancouver

10:15 am, Nov 18, 2013
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Vision Vancouver Talk to Gregor Telephone Town Hall - November 26th 7PM PT
Mayor Gregor Robertson and the Vision Vancouver team are focused on the priorities that matter to people in Vancouver. Whether it's affordable housing, advocating for better transit, or making Vancouver a more fun city, Gregor and Vision have accomplished a lot, but there is more work to do.

Register here to join Gregor for a Telephone Town Hall November 26th starting at 7PM! Hear about Gregor and Vision's accomplishments over the past 5 years, the work they still have to do and ask him your questions live.
Posted by:
Vision Vancouver

6:13 pm, Oct 24, 2013
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Next steps on the West End community plan
On October 22, the draft West End neighbourhood plan was released. I want to make sure you're aware of it, and encourage you to read it.

Creating a new, updated neighbourhood plan for the West End is a commitment Vision made last term. We heard loud and clear that people wanted a new plan that protects neighbourhood character, delivers new affordable housing, and prioritizes important community amenities like parks, child care, and support for seniors. It is also a priority that our growing LGBTQ community has more access to inclusive space throughout the neighbourhood, and that we strengthen and enable vibrant shopping districts in Robson and Denman Villages. The plan seeks to ensure that Davie Village remains a vibrant entertainment hub, by enhancing local celebrations and community events.

Since April 2012, city staff have been holding open houses, workshops, walking tours, individual meetings, and forums to collect information on what West End residents value in our community.

Here's a highlight of some of the key directions in the draft plan:

Protect the existing rental housing in the West End's residential areas, like Nelson Slopes, west of Denman and south of Davie, by maintaining existing zoning and height limits.

Enable new social housing and market rental housing that meets the needs of West End residents.

Make it more enjoyable to walk through the West End by looking to widen sidewalks along Denman, Davie and Robson, and adding more benches and lighting.

Create a new purpose-built facility for Qmunity.

Prioritize new child care as well as community spaces for seniors.
Posted by:
Vision Vancouver

1:06 pm, Oct 1, 2013
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New Mobile Business Licence cuts red tape, supports small businesses
Doing business in the Lower Mainland just got easier thanks to the new Metro-West Inter-Municipal Business Licence agreement.

The six participating municipalities – City of Burnaby, Corporation of Delta, City of New Westminster, City of Richmond, City of Surrey, and City of Vancouver – have worked together to adopt a common by-law allowing businesses to purchase an Inter-Municipal Business Licence (IMBL), also referred to as a Mobile Business Licence (MBL), for specified trades.

The Inter-Municipal Business Licence reduces red tape by allowing mobile businesses to operate in more than one municipality by purchasing only one licence, rather than obtaining non-resident licences in each municipality in which they operate.

“Coming from an entrepreneurial background, I understand the need for cities to support small businesses by streamlining regulations and cutting red tape,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson. “The launch of this innovative new multi-city business license makes it easier do business in Vancouver’s growing economy and throughout our region, and builds on our work to make Vancouver even more competitive for new investment and jobs.”