Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim is once again protesting the provincial government’s refusal to support the city’s plan to dissolve the Board of Parks and Recreation.
In a letter to B.C.’s attorney general, Niki Sharma, Sim, who addressed “Nikki” (sic) Sharma, took issue with language her office reportedly used to describe the city’s pause in action announced in May.
Sim’s letter to Sharma, dated Tuesday, objected to the implication that the pause was the city’s choice.
“It has come to our attention that your office has recently described the City of Vancouver’s position on the transition away from an elected Park Board as ‘paused by the City’ in response to questions from your constituents about the Province’s delay,’” wrote Sim.
“I want to be clear, the City of Vancouver has not chosen to pause this work.”
In December 2023, city council passed a motion asking the provincial government to help transition Park Board responsibilities to the council. The Park Board has challenged the move, voting to remain an elected body and preserve its 135-year existence in September 2024.
The decision to amend the Vancouver Charter to allow for dissolution was in the hands of the provincial government.
But, in an update on May 30, the city said the province did not introduce the decision for consideration by the legislature before the end of the spring session, but had committed to “act at a future date.”
The city said it would pause operational planning for the transition until that time.
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Sim says the province failed to follow through with a commitment to amend the Charter in the spring session.
“This inaction has left Vancouver stuck: the City is ready and willing to move forward, but cannot do so without the Province taking the necessary legislative steps.”
Sim’s letter repeated a city staff calculation that dissolving the board would save Vancouver approximately $7 million per year.
He also promised the change would allow the city to repair the derailed Stanley Park Train, end the maligned reservation system at Kitsilano Pool, and deliver the highly sought-after 50-metre pool for the Vancouver Aquatic Centre.
“Most importantly, it will lead to the permanent designation of 89 acres of parkland, including high-profile areas like David Lam Park and additional sections of Stanley Park. This would mark the largest addition of permanent parkland in Vancouver in more than 30 years,” said Sim.
He claims the bureaucratic delays of the dual governance model have already cost the city’s budget $15 million.
“Given this, we ask that your office correct its communications with our shared constituents to accurately reflect the status of the transition: the work is not paused by the City, but is awaiting provincial action,” the mayor wrote.
The next provincial legislature session is expected to begin Sept. 6.
1130 NewsRadio has reached out to Minister Sharma’s officer for comment.
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