Vancouver residents will have say on park board’s future

Ken Sim Photo: abcvancouver.ca

THE Province has tabled legislation in response to a request by the City of Vancouver to dissolve the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation.

Government is proposing amendments to the Vancouver Charter that will provide authority to Vancouver city council to dissolve the park board by bylaw if a majority of eligible voters in the city approve the dissolution through an assent vote. This will ensure Vancouver residents have a direct say in the future governance of Vancouver parks.

It will be up to Vancouver city council to decide if and when it holds the assent vote and passes the bylaw. If the assent vote is successful and receives a majority of the valid votes (50% plus one) cast by the eligible voters, Vancouver city council can adopt a bylaw to dissolve the park board. Jurisdiction over all areas designated as parks in the city of Vancouver would then transfer to Vancouver city council.

To strengthen protection for permanent parks, the legislation would require a unanimous vote of Vancouver council, along with an assent vote, for removing a permanent park designation. As requested by the city, permanent parkland being transferred to First Nations would be exempt from the assent vote.

The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation was established in 1889 as an independent statutory body to oversee and manage parks in Vancouver. In December 2023, Vancouver city council passed a resolution to ask the Province to dissolve the park board and transfer all the board’s powers, assets and obligations to the council.

If passed by the legislative assembly, the proposed changes to the Vancouver Charter would come into effect when the legislation receives royal assent.

 

VANCOUVER Mayor Ken Sim said in a statement: “We appreciate [Housing and Municipal Affairs] Minister [Christine] Boyle’s decision to move forward with legislation this fall that would enable the City of Vancouver to transition the elected Park Board under the oversight of City Council, following a positive outcome from a public referendum.
“While we review the final details of the legislation and determine timing and next steps, we are hopeful that this announcement finally provides the clarity and direction needed to move this process forward.
“The Park Board Transition Working Group’s final report found that transitioning the elected Park Board under City Council would save taxpayers a minimum of $70 million over the next decade by reducing duplication and streamlining services that can be re-invested into our parks and recreation facilities.
“Our goal has always been to provide the world-class parks and recreation facilities that Vancouverites deserve. Our parks are the heart of our city, and we are excited to potentially bring forward a new era for parks and recreation.”

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