Dear Neighbours and Supporters,

We’ve been preparing for the upcoming provincial election on Saturday, October 19th, by researching the civic issues that have concerned our neighbourhood over the past 6 years, specifically the positions taken by the provincial government and our MLA on these issues.

Our intention is not to convince you to vote one way or another, only to share facts about the issues which have activated our neighbourhood, that you might find helpful in your decision making.

• The Broadway Plan: This master plan for 500 blocks along the Broadway corridor was overwhelmingly opposed by our neighbourhood. The Plan promises 30,000 new homes mostly on existing housing sites but it is bereft of plans for new schools, parks, community centres and civic facilities. David Eby and our NDP MLA George Heyman took the unprecedented action of writing to Vancouver Council in support of this Plan in their official capacities. The Plan is already threatening the tenancies of many of our neighbours who rent. (Read more here)

• Bill 44: This Bill was enacted in 2023 by the BC NDP without proper debate in the BC Legislature nor any public consultation. It forcibly eliminates single family zoning, parking minimums, and public hearings for rezonings that are consistent with Official Community Plans in BC municipalities over 5,000 people. The Bill was informed by "experts" from Rennie (Bob Rennie's real estate marketing firm), the development industry advocacy group, the Urban Development Institute and Abundant Housing Vancouver, an activist group. While dramatically increasing density, the Bill contains no provisions for improvements to municipal infrastructure (water, sewer, schools, etc.). (Read more here)

• 2538 Birch Street (28 Floors): This blockbusting rezoning by Jameson Development Corp. was overwhelmingly opposed by our neighbourhood because it was considered before the Broadway Plan public consultation finished (despite provisions designed to prevent this), and did not fit in with the neighbourhood character. Our NDP MLA George Heyman supported the development. Under NDP Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, BC Housing provided the developer with a $164M low interest loan with the promise of affordable homes, from the same unsuccessful Housing Hub program as 1807 Larch Street (see below). (Read more here)  

• 1477 West Broadway (Old RBC site): This controversial rezoning by PCI Developments was overwhelmingly opposed by our neighbourhood because it was considered before the Broadway Plan public consultation finished (despite provisions designed to prevent this), and did not fit in with the neighbourhood character. This development increased our mistrust of civic government due to a suspicious public land sale, lack of transparency and misleading public information. David Eby and our NDP MLA George Heyman took the unprecedented action of writing to Vancouver Council in support of this project in their official capacities. (Read more here)

• Park Board: Ken Sim and the ABC Councillors passed a motion to eliminate the democratically elected Park Board after saying that they would not do this during their campaign in 2022. Premier David Eby said that, if Vancouver met certain requirements, the provincial government would amend the Vancouver Charter to dissolve the Park Board. (Read more here) 

• 7th & Arbutus Supportive Housing: This rezoning by BC Housing was overwhelmingly opposed by the Kits neighbourhood. Neighbours supported social housing but did not support congregate housing for the drug addicted and mental health patients in this location, beside an elementary school, a playground and a women’s shelter. At the Public Hearing, top SFU clinical researcher Julian Somers testified that addiction/mental health congregate housing like this does not work. David Eby supported this project and later, the BC NDP took the unprecedented action of using dedicated legislation to enforce this rezoning. (Read more here)  

• 1807 Larch Street: This rezoning by Jameson Development Corp. was overwhelmingly opposed by the Kits neighbourhood because it did not fit in with the character of the neighbourhood and was being built on a former church site which had become a community gathering place and daycare. The development was supported by David Eby. BC Housing provided the developer with a $32M low interest loan with the promise of affordable rentals. Now that the building is finished, most of the rentals are priced above market rates. (Read more here)

For more information on the election, how to vote and where to vote, click here.

We hope you find this information helpful. Whoever you decide to vote for, please vote!

Thanks for your ongoing interest and support,  

Fairview/South Granville Action Committee