Latest Updates

January 24, 2024

Vibrant Vancouver: City Council's Strategic Priorities for 2023-2026

Throughout 2023, city council, staff and the Mayor gathered together for several workshops to develop our shared priorities for our term at City Hall. 

While there are different political parties and perspectives represented on council, we all share many of the same common goals: to serve the people of Vancouver with passion and integrity; lift up the voices of the underrepresented and marginalized; and make our city, neighbourhoods and communities the best they can be. 

I'm a strong believer in having a clearly outlined plan. While unforeseen circumstances and events are guaranteed to come up (that's life!), a plan is a guiding document that keeps us on track, focused and accountable.

With that said, our collective plan, entitled "Vibrant Vancouver", can be viewed here.

The plan has nine objectives: 

 If you have feedback on our shared priorities document, I'd love to hear it. Please email me at: clrmeiszner@vancouver.ca

January 2, 2024

Speaking at the groundbreaking of the new QMUNITY 2SLGBTQIA+ resource centre and affordable housing development in Vancouver, at Davie and Burrard.

Reflecting on a momentous 2023, and looking forward to 2024

It’s hard to believe 2023 is nearly over, and 2024 is already upon us. 

What is truly “a dream come true” of being elected to Vancouver city council as one of your representatives at City Hall has quickly flown by. 

I am happy to share that we are making progress on accomplishing our platform promises and bringing common sense leadership back to City Hall.

I want to thank everyone who has supported me over the past year, including family, friends, neighbours and the broader public. Your kindness, help and suggestions have been invaluable.

As one of the few downtown voices on city council, I will continue to advocate strongly for our community – to ensure our neigbourhoods, parks and playgrounds are safe and welcoming; our facilities like community centres, theatres and libraries are well-funded and staffed; and our streets, sidewalks and public realm are clean and well-maintained.

If there’s something happening in your neighbourhood that needs attention, please drop me a line, anytime.

At the opening of the new Vancouver Public Library branch in West Point Grey. 

Here are some highlights of your ABC team’s work at council this year:

-         Passed omnibus housing motion, including expediting work on the Vancouver Plan; reviewing view cones and shadow guidelines impeding housing delivery; and passed the missing middle gentle densification plan to create more housing, among many other initiatives all aimed at creating more homes and addressing the affordability crisis;

-         Broke ground at the site of the new QMUNITY Building at Davie and Granville – a $91 million affordable housing building and new resource centre for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community;

-         Fully staffed the Vancouver Police Department and hired new Mental Health workers – several of which are already working with police to triage calls and deescalate non-urgent, mental health incidents;

-         Addressed public safety concerns surrounding the encampment on East Hastings Street by removing unsafe structures, and connecting people with shelter, housing and resources, while working with the Province on long-term solutions;

-         Set up regular, recurring meetings with Business Improvement Associations across the city to help address issues as they arise;

-         Opened City Hall office in Chinatown; lowered street parking rates to attract customers; and continued investment in Uplifting Chinatown to remove graffiti quickly, increase street and sidewalk cleaning, and support small businesses;

Working from the new City of Vancouver "Won Alexander Cumyow Civic Office" in Chinatown.

-         Accelerated work on a new vision for public spaces in Gastown, including future new sidewalks, pavers, lighting, seating and pedestrianized/’car light’ spaces;

-         Launched the Granville Street Planning Program, to kick-start the revitalization of this iconic downtown Vancouver entertainment district;

-         Eliminated the ineffective 25 cent paper cup fee;

-         Provided additional funding for Vancouver Public Library to open currently closed branches on Mondays;

-         Brought back the Stanley Park Train;

-         Saved the beloved mural at Storm Brewing and reversed an outdated and heavy-handed city policy;

-         Repaired and turned the fountains back on at parks and public spaces in downtown Vancouver after years of neglect.

Speaking at the opening of Carnaval Del Sol at David Lam Park, in my rusty Spanish and limited Brazilian Portuguese!

Looking to 2024, I personally commit to continuing to work hard on housing policy, to get more badly-needed rental and below-market housing on stream, as well as working closely with senior levels of government to improve the lives of people in the Downtown Eastside.

And of course, I will continue to advocate strongly for downtown residents and businesses.

I want to again thank you for all of your support over the past year; I can’t do this work without you.

Wishing you a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2024.

Sincerely,

Councillor Peter Meiszner

City e-mail: peter.meiszner@vancouver.ca

2023 in review photo gallery