Standing Committee on City Finance and Services
June 14, 2023 · 09:30 am
Summary
- YVR annual update: Vancouver International Airport presented its 2022 highlights and 2023 priorities, including a $40-million investment plan for winter operations, cargo expansion, a net-zero-by-2030 roadmap, and the fifth year of a Friendship and Sustainability Agreement with Musqueam Nation.
- Climate Emergency Action Plan – accelerated measures: Council approved eight staff-recommended measures to help close the gap toward Vancouver's 2030 emissions targets, covering walkable neighbourhoods, active transportation, EV charging, and building emissions. Amendments added a public/private EV charging partnership study and a mayoral letter advocating for faster school construction in dense neighbourhoods.
- Zero Waste Demonstration Site pilot: Council authorized below-market licences at a city-owned property at 1198 East Kent Avenue South, allowing up to 10 zero-waste technology start-ups to operate for 2.5 years at nominal rent ($200–$500), with a 2025 review.
- Transit for low-income youth: Council endorsed the Mayors' Council position urging the province to expand the BC Bus Pass program to all low-income residents including youth, and directed the Mayor to write to five provincial ministers. An amendment replaced a narrower "Transit for Teens" framing with the broader low-income eligibility focus.
- Filipino Cultural Centre: Council directed the Mayor to write to Premier David Eby and federal and provincial ministers supporting a Filipino Cultural Centre, ideally located in Vancouver, during Filipino Heritage Month.
- Leaves of absence: Routine absences approved for Councillors Dominato, Carr, and Zhou, and Mayor Sim.
Motions
Zero Waste Demonstration Site Pilot Licenses
1198 East Kent Avenue South- Authorized below-market licences at 1198 East Kent Avenue South for selected Zero Waste Technology Providers participating in the city's Zero Waste Demonstration Site Pilot.
- Nominal rent of $200–$500 per occupant to be charged over a 2.5-year first cohort; foregone market rent treated as a grant (up to ~$276,000/year across all licensees).
- Pilot is a partnership with the Vancouver Economic Commission's Project Greenlight program, targeting start-ups developing innovative zero-waste technologies.
- Staff directed to report back in late 2025 on outcomes and whether a second cohort should proceed.
Climate Emergency Accelerated Measures
Carried Details
- Approved eight accelerated and additional measures to help close the gap between current trajectory and Vancouver's 2030 emissions reduction target of 50% below 2007 levels.
- Current forecasts show only a 15% reduction under existing plans; with all planned CEAP and CleanBC actions combined, the projected reduction reaches 41%, still short of the target.
- Measures span four areas: (A–B) complete walkable neighbourhoods, including aligning area plans with the Vancouver Plan and streamlining electrical servicing for missing middle housing; (C–D) active transportation and transit funding advocacy; (E–F) EV ecosystem strategy update and EV permitting improvements; (G–H) lower carbon limits for large commercial buildings and streamlined heat pump permitting for homes.
- As amended, also includes EV public/private partnership study (E addition) and school capital advocacy letter (new I).
- Four public speakers appeared in support before the vote.
Endorsing Transit for Low-Income Youth
Carried Details
- Council endorsed the Mayors' Council position urging the province to expand transit fare discounts to all low-income residents, including youth, through an improved BC Bus Pass program.
- Noted that transit access is critical for low-income youth to reach school, health care, shelter, and services, and that monthly pass costs are a significant burden on struggling families.
- Referenced a city-led Reduced Fare Transit Pilot (Oct 2021–Mar 2022) in which free passes improved teens' access to school, mental health supports, and community activities.
- Directed the Mayor to write to five provincial ministers and the Select Standing Committee on Children and Youth urging them to secure funding and develop a plan.
- Five public speakers appeared; four in support, one with general comments.
Support Filipino Cultural Centre Campaign
Carried Details
- Council expressed support for a Filipino Cultural Centre in Vancouver, noting the city is home to Canada's second-largest Filipino community.
- Directed the Mayor to write to Premier David Eby, provincial Minister of Tourism Arts Culture and Sport, Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism Initiatives, and the federal Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, backing a centre ideally located in Vancouver.
- Timed to coincide with Filipino Heritage Month (June) and aligned with a provincial mandate letter directing the Minister of Tourism to advance a provincial Filipino cultural centre.
- Five public speakers appeared in support.
Agenda documents (9)
PRESENTATION
1. EXTERNAL Presentation – YVR Annual Update to Mayor and City Council
REPORTS
1. Climate Emergency Action Plan – Additional and Accelerated Climate Measures
2. Approval of Below-Market Licenses for Zero Waste Demonstration Site Pilot at City Owned Property 1198 East Kent Avenue South
COUNCIL MEMBERS’ MOTIONS
1. Requests for Leaves of Absence
2. Endorsing the Transit for Teens Campaign to Extend BC’s Get on Board Program up to Age 18
3. Support for the Filipino Cultural Centre in Vancouver Campaign
ROLL CALL
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
Vote matrix
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rebecca Bligh🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | ||
| Ken Sim🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| Christine Boyle🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Adriane Carr🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Lisa Dominato🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Pete Fry🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Sarah Kirby-Yung🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| Mike Klassen🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Peter Meiszner🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| Brian Montague🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Lenny Zhou🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |