The Vision Blog

Today Mayor Gregor Robertson announced a series of next steps for the public to participate in developing the final report of the Engaged City Task Force, as part of a push to strengthen civic engagement and modernize consultation in Vancouver.
 
The Mayor and the Engaged City Task Force launched a new Online Ideas Forum where Vancouver residents can post ideas, make comments, and answer questions posed by the Task Force, with the input to be incorporated into the final report in July.
 
Click here to visit the new Online Ideas Forum
 
The Task Force also launched the new @EngagedCity twitter channel to solicit feedback and tweet ideas for discussion and commentary.
 
“In a time of fast-moving technological change, it’s important the City’s services and decision-making processes are made to be as open, accessible and engaging as possible,” said the Mayor. “Expanding the City’s engagement online and on social media will be a crucial component of our work to build a stronger and more civic-minded community, and I look forward to building on the input we receive from these important new tools.”
 

The Broadway Corridor has North America’s busiest bus line through British Columbia’s 2nd largest downtown core leading to our largest university. Thousands of riders are passed up daily, and users report waits of up to five busses to get on board. To keep our economy and our population moving forward, we need better transit solutions for Broadway.

Join Mayor Gregor Robertson and Councillor Geoff Meggs on Sunday March 10 from 2pm to 4pm at St James Community Hall to discuss how to move forward on our top regional transit priority: a Broadway Subway to UBC.

This was an important week of progress for Vancouver, and I want to make sure you’re up to date on everything we’re doing at City Hall to move forward on Vancouver’s real priorities.

We started Monday with the exciting announcement that the world-renowned TED Conference is re-locating to Vancouver.

TED talks are known internationally for being a source of inspiration and innovation, with the goal of developing and implementing “ideas worth sharing.” Millions of people watch the talks in person and online, and past speakers have included Former US President Bill Clinton, Apple founder Steve Jobs, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, and Vancouver’s Wade Davis.

To have the organizers of TED choose Vancouver as their new home is remarkable news for our tourism industry and a tremendous validation of our work to make Vancouver a world leader in sustainability and technology.

TED moves to Vancouver:

Click here to learn more

At Tuesday’s public hearing, the Vision-led City Council unanimously approved new zoning bylaw changes that will open upsignificant new affordable artist space in Vancouver, by allowing work-only art studio uses in all 12 of the city’s industrial districts.

 By. Vancouver Sun 

Vancouver city council has unanimously passed a responsible investment motion, aimed at ensuring money the city invests isn't being used to fund companies that don't fit with the city's core values.

The motion, brought by Coun. Andrea Reimer, will see staff report back to council, likely later this year, with information on how the city's cash investments and pension plan align with the city's "mission, values and ethical purchasing policy.

The city's 2011 statement of financial information shows the market value of its total cash and investments was more than $809 million.

The bulk of the money is managed by the city using policy that guides the integrity of the process, such as the risk and return on the investment, but does not define the integrity of the investment. The city and its employees also contribute about $100 million to the Municipal Pension Plan. The plan is managed by the B.C. Investment Management Corporation, which invests on behalf of public sector clients in the province, including municipal employees, post-secondary institutions, health care workers, police and firefighters, and teachers.