VANCOUVER City Council has approved a motion addressing historic service and infrastructure inequities impacting South Vancouver.

“Seeing action being taken to address the needs of South Vancouver, the community that raised me, is incredibly meaningful,” said Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim. “The vibrant, diverse, and fast-growing neighbourhoods that make up South Vancouver are an essential part of our city.”

The motion featured amendments from Councillors Lenny Zhou, Mike Klassen, and Sarah Kirby-Yung, supporting the need to enhance public safety, deliver more childcare spaces, build a new turf field, improve rapid transit on 49 Avenue, expand the local tree canopy, address the Memorial South pond, and increase stakeholder engagement.

“I’ve seen firsthand how previous administrations have underserved this community,” Sim added. “For too many years, politicians have paid lip service to South Vancouver without any plan to improve services and infrastructure – that changes now.”

This motion builds on recent efforts by City Hall to revitalize communities across the city.

“Revitalizing and supporting Vancouver’s communities is a key priority for this Council,” said Zhou. “I’m highly confident that by working together with community members and organizations, we will be able to address the historic inequities across all of South Vancouver’s neighbourhoods.”

The commitment to South Vancouver by Sim and Council has been well-received by community members.

“It’s wonderful to finally have a Council that recognizes the needs of South Vancouver,” said Pall Beesla,” Director of Community Partnerships for the Punjabi Market Collective. “We’ve seen City Hall ignore our communities for decades, we’re glad to see our elected officials finally listening.”