Honouring the Horse Lunar New Year Gala
Motion 16 · Standing Committee of Council on City Finance and Services, February 4, 2026
Summary
- Council approved one-time financial support (up to $30,000) to help the Chinese Benevolent Association host the Chinatown Lunar New Year Gala dinner on February 22, 2026.
- The unexpected closure of Floata Restaurant created unanticipated costs including temporary venue setup, equipment and furniture rental, food preparation, staffing, security, cleaning, and additional permitting.
- The motion was co-submitted by Councillors Zhou and Kirby-Yung and had unanimous support from the Chinatown Advisory Committee.
- Public speakers including CBA representatives, alumni associations, and community members described the gala as a 52-year tradition that functions as both a reunion dinner and a new year opening banquet, drawing approximately 3,000 attendees and supporting local businesses throughout Chinatown.
- Councillors emphasized this is explicitly framed as a one-time bridge measure, not a precedent for ongoing event funding, and noted the closure of Floata represents extraordinary circumstances outside the organizers' control.
Vote
Public comments
Read all 8 statements
Transcript
34 segments
The next item.
Hi, everyone. The next item is motion six, honoring the horse, saving Vancouver's iconic Lunar New Year community gala in Chinatown. And it is to be moved and introduced by Councillor Zhou. And before we begin this agenda item, if anyone believes they have a conflict of interest, Now is the time to declare it. Does anyone have a conflict to disclose? All right. Seeing none, Counselor Zhou, you have two minutes. Oh, you've got my desk there, so we'll just switch the name, or we can just advance, and you can be me for a little while.
Or I'll just advance. Okay, perfect. Thanks, Vice Chair. So today I'm bringing forward this motion with Councillor Kirby on together to help ensure that this iconic Lunar New Year gala in Chinatown can go ahead in 2026. For decades, the Chinese Benevolent Association, or CBA, has led this Lunar New Year gala, making it one of Vancouver's signature cultural traditions with deep historical roots in Chinatown. And the gala is always on the same day of the Lunar New Year parade, so people can enjoy staying in Chinatown for the entire day, which is really good for the business in Chinatown. I've had the privilege of attending this gala many times, both before and after I became a city Councillor. I've seen firsthand how important this gala is to the families, seniors, youth, small businesses, and the broader community. It's more than just a dinner event. It's a gathering point that brings people together and keeps Chinatown vibrant. This year, as we all know, the unexpected closure of Flota Restaurant has generated additional costs, including temporary venue setup, equipment and furniture rentals, food preparations, staffing, security, cleaning, utilities, and added permitting and coordination requirements. Without this one-time support from the city, there's a real risk that this gala could be canceled this year, which would have cultural, economic, and reputational impact for Chinatown and for the city as a whole. This request also comes from the unanimous support from the Chinatown Advisory Committee, which also reflects how important this event is to the community. I also want to flag there's a small typo in the Resolution B of this motion. The end date should be February 24, 2026, not 2006. I will table an amendment later on to correct that typo. So with that, I hope to get support from the council members.
Thanks. Thank you, Councillor Zhou. And since this motion was co-submitted, Councillor Kirby Young. is seconding the motion. So we will now hear from registered speakers for this motion. And our first speaker is Frank Huang. And he is here. And Frank, you...
the podium and for a moment I'm going to turn the new microphone on is that the right one it's a new switch for me okay thanks chair and yeah mayor and member of the council and the members of the committee my name is Fang Huang I'm the vice president of the Chinese benevolence Association I would like to thank Consular Joe and Consular Kirby Yang for forwarding bringing forward this motion and thank the council for giving the community an opportunity to speak. Vancouver Spin Festival celebration has been part of the city for more than five decades. It attracts nearly 200... I was I was cultural group from across Canada and local and international spectators and is the cities when cities cities of Vancouver designated civil civil event and the Canada grantees grandest spin festival celebration. For many peoples in our community, as well as many Vancouver citizens, it is not just an event, but a tradition that marks the beginning of the year. It brings peoples into Chinatown, connects generations, and reminds us that Chinatown is not just a historic place, but a living neighborhood. Within these celebrations, the Lunar New Year gala dinner plays a very important role. It is more than a dinner. It is a motion when the entire day comes together. After the parade, the fair, people stay in Chinatown. They eat lunch, they shopping, they visiting family, friends, and associations. And then in the evening, they gather again for the gala. Over time, This has become familiar and meaningful with him for the communities. For many families, especially the elders, the ganda is both a reunion dinner to Lin Fan and a new year opening banquet for Lin Fan. It is time to sit together to reconnect and to begin a year with sense of the united and hope. For younger generations, it is often their strongest connection to Chinatown and to cultural tradition. And for the local business, it is one of the most important days of the year. This year, however, the sudden closure of the Fruita restaurant created a situation no one... Fuda has long been closely associated with the Garda. Its growth has brought an expected financial and operational challenge, all within a very tight planning timeline. Without short-term support from the City Hall, there is a real risk that this year's Garda could be cancelled. That would be... not only the laws of the community, but also for the Chinatown as well as the city of Vancouver.
Sorry, Frank, I just want to let you know you've come to your time.
Okay, yeah, thank you so much. I'm here, yeah. On behalf of the CBA, I respect Tony asked the council to support this movement and help make sure the New Year Ghana can continue this year. Thank you so much.
Very good, thank you very much. And just a reminder to our speakers just to state whether they are in support of opposition and recommendations. Okay. Our next speaker is Vivian Zhuang. Vivian?
Oh, on the phone. Is she on the phone? Okay. We'll go on to the next. So we've got Irene Guo. And she's a representative. Is Irene here? Yes. Yes, she's on the phone. Thank you, Irene. Okay. Yeah. You have, it says here you're a representative and you have other people. So presumably that's in order to get the longer speaking time?
Oh, no. I think maybe three minutes is okay. Okay. It's according to your time. Okay. At the afternoon and conscious. Thank you for this opportunity to speak here today. My name is Irene. I'm calling representing the Zhongshan Secondary School Alumni Association to express my strong support for the Chinese New Year Gather and related celebrations in Vancouver. This event will bring together more than a thousand people there. including the community leaders, families, seniors, youth, and elected officials. It's not only a celebration of the Lunar New Year, but also a meaningful opportunity to promote cultural understanding, community connection, and civil pride. The Lunar New Year celebrations have long been an important tradition in Vancouver. They reflected the city's diversity, inclusiveness, and respect for multicultural communities, particularly the Chinese and other Asian communities who have contributed so much to our social, cultural, and economic life for the city. The event... The event and the related play will encourage the community participation, support local business and tourism. These funds that are invested into the community and the city insurances trap Vancouver's reputation as a welcoming world-class city. I believe that supporting Iran is an investment in the community, harmony, cultural heritage, and the shared values of Vancouver. I join this gala for... many years i have i have experienced that the people like this opportunity and the chance to express the their hope their future and they have the good start in the first year in the year of the first day but that's all my speech today thank you so much okay thank you very much so our next speaker on the phone is juliet jang Yes. Good afternoon.
Go ahead.
Oh, hi. Good afternoon, Mayor and Councillors. Thank you for this opportunity to speak today. My name is Juliette Jang. I'm supporting the motion to save Vancouver Iconic Lunar New Year Community Gala in Chinatown.
The lunar... New Year Gala is not simply a celebration, it is a long-standing community tradition, deeply connected to Vancouver Chinatown and generation of Chinese Canadian family for decades. Following Lunar New Year Festival and Parade, community member have gathered to dine, connect, support local business, and celebrate the beginning of the New Year together. Each year, this event brings together several thousand attendees, including families, seniors, youth, community leaders, and elected officials. It represents a reunion, renewal, and shared hope of the future. also strengthening the culture and understanding of civic pride across Vancouver. Today, however, this tradition has faced real challenge. With the closure of long-standing venues such as Flotas Restaurant, there is growing concern within our community that this important gala may not be able to continue in the way it has. for more than five decades. Without city support, a meaningful part of this Chinatown cultural life was being lost. Supporting this gala means preserving an important culture and historical tradition, supporting Chinatown local business and economic vitality, encouraged community participation and intergenerational connection, reinforcing Vancouver reputation as an inclusive multicultural city. This is not just a funding for an event, it is an investment in cultural community and harmony, and ongoing vitality of Chinatown. I respectfully urge Council to support this motion and help ensure this iconic Lunar New Year Gala can continue this year and into the future. Thank you, Mayor and Councillor, for your time and recognition of this important cultural celebration. and bring community together. Thank you.
Thank you very much. Our next speaker is Fong-Hua Choi. Is Fong-Hua Choi in chamber?
Fong-Hua Choi.
Are you speaking?
Lower the, I don't know, press that button to lower it. My name is Honghua Xi. I'm a resident of Vancouver. I'd like to support City Hall to keep the food restaurant operating. I'd like to support City Hall to keep the food restaurant operating. I'd like to support Chinatown's Spring Festival celebration. This celebration is a multicultural celebration. It's very important for Vancouver. Appreciate the City Hall for continuing to support this important celebration. Thank you. Excellent. Thanks very much.
Good job. Okay. Mandy Liu. Mandy Liu would be on the phone. Mandy there?
Okay. Carmen Lee. Carmen? Are you on the phone?
Okay. Jaiden Guo. Jaiden?
Jaiden Guo?
OK. I have Qian. Ah, OK.
Thanks, Chair, and the May Councillors, and all city staffers. My name is Helen Qian. I'm the director of the China Town Spring Festival committee. For the Chinese community, the gala dinner represents both the rainy dinner and a New Year open banquet. It's the moment of the beginning of the year when families, friends, and friends gather to celebrate the unit. In Norway and the shared hopes for the future beyond its cultural sagacity, the gala dinner has also played a meaningful role in supporting local business and contributing to the economic vitality of Chinatown. However, the closure of the floater restaurant has raised serious concerns with our community that this long-standing Tradition may be disreputable or disconnecting. We sincerely hope that with the support and the funding assistance of the City of Vancouver, this important event can continue to be held this year. Doing so would help preserve cultural traditions, strengthen community,
and contributed to the ongoing revitalization of Chinatown.
Thank you for your continued attention and support for Vancouver Chinatown and its wise communities. Thank you.
Okay, welcome. I am Li Chong. I am a New Yorker who has immigrated to Vancouver in recent years. Today, I am standing here to express my sincere support for this new year. I am very grateful to the Vancouver City Government for their great support this time. All right, our next speaker is Wan Lin Huang.
Hi, everyone.
Dear Mayor, Consulate, and fellow residents, my name is Gary, and I'm here to strongly support the motion Saving Vancouver Icons Lunar New Year Community Gala in Chinatown. This annual Lunar New Year's Gala is one of Vancouver's most cherished cultural traditions in Chinatown. For this case, it has brought together nearly 3,000 people, community members for lion dance. red envelope blessing and joyful performance to Chinatown.
It brings the new generation together to support our multicultural and I very strongly support this activity to our community's bones. Why not these beloved events have a risk to cancel in this year? Losing it is going to hurt our Chinatown's economy and cultural community and our city's reputation for inclusivity. Why not... The motion requests a small amount of support for the community, but it will help the community a lot. So I urge all the councillors to approve this motion to help the Chinatown community support Chinatown. And support Vibration Multicultural Vancouver. Thank you, everyone. Thank you.
Thank you. Okay. Our next speaker is on the phone. Su Yin Wu. No.
Zhao Junzhen. No. Okay. Jianchao Huang. No. Okay. Hang on, Lou. No. And Nancy Fu. Yes.
Hi.
Hi, Nancy.
Can you hear me? Yes. Hi. Dear Mayor and Member of Council, thank you so much for the opportunity to speak today. My name is Nancy Fu, and I would like to express my full support for the motion. to continue the Lunar New Year gala dinner in Chinatown. So for the past 52 years, the gala dinner has been a meaningful part of Chinatown's spring festival celebrations. After the annual parade, many families and community members stay in Chinatown to eat, to shopping, and celebrate together as a whole group, a whole family. So ending the day with a gala dinner is the most important thing. This is for not only the Chinese people, I'm thinking, but also for the community because Canada is a multicultural country. So before 20 years ago, I arrived to Canada. This is the first celebration I've been to, which is a festival like the parade. I'm really surprised because... During the time, I'm very enjoyed because I can see the people from all over the world. It's not only for, like, you know, part of the people. It's for the whole country and also for the people who come to Canada and visit. So this is also very meaningful. I'm thinking it's for everybody. So but you know the things happening because of the flooded restaurants closed. So that's why I think many of us are concerned that is important tradition may not going to be continue. I hope the city of Vancouver will provide the support. to ensure the gala dinner can move forward this year, but not only this year. It's also in the future. So I respectfully ask the mayor and the council to support this motion and help preserve this special culture and the community tradition. Thank you so much.
Okay, thanks very much. That is the end of our speakers list. And thank you to everyone for speaking.
Could do. Sure. I'll read the names just in case anybody was missed earlier. Mandy Liu. Carmen Lee.
Suyin Wu.
Oh, I forgot. Vivian Zhuang. No? Okay. All right. That does officially close the end of the speakers. I thank you for everyone speaking today at the Standing Committee on City Finances and Services. Committee members, is there any discussion? Councillors?
show yeah thanks vice chair so I just want to put forward that amendment to correct the table if you want me to the amendment queue we can move into the amendment queue then yes very good one moment I'll just add you here okay go ahead counselor yeah we're straightforward just replace 2006 with 2026 all right may have a seconder
Council Frye. Okay. All right. Thanks very much.
Councillor, is there any... I guess we'll just call the vote now. I've got Councillor Kirby on here.
Yeah, thanks, Chair. I just want to echo Councillor Zhou's eloquent comments earlier in introducing the motion. I'm very pleased to co-submit this with him and honored to support the community for the Lunar New Year. It is a really special time of the year. And just it's sort of called joyful chaos. There's people everywhere. You've got your lion dancers. Everybody's excited to be there and celebrate and share the moment together and to not have it go ahead. And I know how important it is to have it in Chinatown for everybody and to not have it go ahead, I think, would be a real miss. So sometimes there are exigent circumstances where the city can step up and help. to get it through a hurdle. I think that we'll be in a much better situation next year when we have a new operator, I hope. And I'm very optimistic about that in operating the space. But meantime, I don't think we want to miss 2026 and the ability to celebrate Year of the Horse together. And so it's going to be a good time and it's coming up very soon. So looking forward to doing it. And I just want to extend my appreciation to all of the organizing organizations. We had a lot of them that are involved in the parade and the dinner. We had folks here this morning for the proclamation for Lunar New Year. But I know a lot of the six organizations and their boards and volunteers put a lot of their own time and heart and effort into making sure that we all get to participate and enjoy this celebration. And as I often say, it's a very full day, but when you go down and you see the parade, it's not just for... Chinese Canadians that it's not just for some Vancouverites it's for all Vancouverites and you can see how excited people are when you walk along the parade route to be down there and to be part of it and I know there's a lot of seniors that will spend the day and there's a real energy in Chinatown so I'm looking forward to celebrating and grateful to the community for finding a way forward that we could make this happen for this year. Thank you.
First of all, I do want to thank Councillor Zhou and Councillor Perpignan for moving this motion.
This is deeply personal, and it's something that I'm glad that it sounds like this has support. Look, the parade obviously is a pretty big deal. We have hundreds of thousands of people that show up to it to celebrate. You know, they're... not just their Chinese heritage, it draws in people from all different communities, people that are very proud of their Canadian heritage, and they celebrate the Chinese culture. The reason there's a deeply personal aspect to it is it represents tradition. It represents families, friends, communities, the intergenerational sort of... blending of you know different generations and friendship and I know quite a few of my uncles they still go and you know we're talking about individuals that were my dad's friends my dad's no longer with us but you know Uncle David and Uncle Peter, they're in their late 90s and they still go. And so while we may, like most people may think that this is just, you know, maybe it may not happen this year because of unforeseen circumstances, there are a lot of individuals where, let's just face it, there may not be too many of these left for them. And it's a really big deal. And, you know, Chinatown was on the brink. just not too long ago. And there's been a lot of work put into Chinatown to the point now where just recently a Wall Street Journal article, and I quote, said, Chinatown is a place alive again. And so let's keep that momentum going. Let's celebrate the community and let's make this happen. So obviously I'll be supporting it.
Thanks, Bear. I'll go to the end. Councillor, please go ahead.
Is this the amendment queue? I guess we're speaking sort of... We're generally just speaking in support. Yeah, no, I'm happy to support this event. I know it means so much to the community, and I've never been to the gala, but I look forward to attending this year, and I've heard it's quite a lot of fun, and I can't wait to come and show my respect. Thank you.
Yes, I just want to close out this motion. Honoured to be able to submit with Councillor Kerbion together, also on behalf of the Chinatown Advisory Committee. And also, I just want to thank all the speakers today. Thanks for supporting the motion. I know some of you have been waiting for a long time just to speak. I think I'm pretty touched today. These people, they don't speak perfect English, as you do, but they all live in this city. They all work really hard, and they all contribute, pay tax. to this city. They are contributing different perspective, economy, culture, education, all the perspective. Traditionally, I think the Chinese voice has been ignored by all three levels of government. But today, let me tell you, if you speak out, the government will listen. So I think that will be a first step that participate in politics, participate in policymaking, so we have a representation of your voice. I also want to reiterate this motion is about continuity, community, and responsibility. The Lunar New York Gala is not simply just an annual event on the calendar. It's a living tradition that connects generations, supports small businesses, brings visitors into Chinatown, and reinforces Vancouver's identity as a truly multicultural city. For decades, the Lunar New Gala, led by the Chinese Benevolent Association, has become one of our city's most signature cultural gatherings. What we are responding to today is unique and unexpected disruption. The closure of floated restaurants. The single change has created cascadia effects. from venue operations to catering logistics to equipment rentals, staffing, security, cleaning, and permitting. They are not cost for the organizers normally carry. They are not the result of poor planning, but they are extraordinary circumstances. This is why this motion is deliberately framed as a target and a one-time support. We are not setting a precedent for ongoing event funding. We are helping a long-standing community partner to bridge a difficult transition year. We often speak about revitalizing Chinatown, supporting cultural heritage, and strengthening diversity. This motion is a concrete opportunity to do exactly that in a practical, time-limited, and fiscally responsible way. As we enter the year of horse, approving this motion sends a clear message. Council stands with the community, values cultural community, and understand the real impact the sudden change will make to this community. And we'll try our best to make all the possible way to support this event. So with that, I hope to get your support for those motion. And I hope to see everyone at the Chinatown Parade, the Lunar New Year Parade, and the Lunar New Year Gala. Thanks.
Thanks very much counselor Joe, okay, so we will now call the vote or can you take us to the voting screen and Community members, please register your vote on the voting panel This is on the amendment and then we'll go to the main queue for the amended motion I'm sorry, I have to do it
Okay, so that passes unanimously with Councillor Bligh absent. Okay.
One more vote to go. Okay, we will now go back to the main queue.
And unless there's nobody to speak on this, very good. We will now call the vote.
And that passes unanimously with Rebecca, Councillor Bligh absent. Thanks very much, everyone. That was successful.
Okay. Very good. That completes motion six. Standing committee portion of the meeting is now complete. Maybe we'll just take a moment before we move back into council.
Statement Watch
the podium and for a moment I'm going to turn the new microphone on is that the right one it's a new switch for me okay thanks chair and yeah mayor and member of the council and the members of the committee my name is Fang Huang I'm the vice president of the Chinese benevolence Association I would like to thank Consular Joe and Consular Kirby Yang for forwarding bringing forward this motion and thank the council for giving the community an opportunity to speak. Vancouver Spin Festival celebration has been part of the city for more than five decades. It attracts nearly 200... I was I was cultural group from across Canada and local and international spectators and is the cities when cities cities of Vancouver designated civil civil event and the Canada grantees grandest spin festival celebration. For many peoples in our community, as well as many Vancouver citizens, it is not just an event, but a tradition that marks the beginning of the year. It brings peoples into Chinatown, connects generations, and reminds us that Chinatown is not just a historic place, but a living neighborhood. Within these celebrations, the Lunar New Year gala dinner plays a very important role. It is more than a dinner. It is a motion when the entire day comes together. After the parade, the fair, people stay in Chinatown. They eat lunch, they shopping, they visiting family, friends, and associations. And then in the evening, they gather again for the gala. Over time, This has become familiar and meaningful with him for the communities. For many families, especially the elders, the ganda is both a reunion dinner to Lin Fan and a new year opening banquet for Lin Fan. It is time to sit together to reconnect and to begin a year with sense of the united and hope. For younger generations, it is often their strongest connection to Chinatown and to cultural tradition. And for the local business, it is one of the most important days of the year. This year, however, the sudden closure of the Fruita restaurant created a situation no one... Fuda has long been closely associated with the Garda. Its growth has brought an expected financial and operational challenge, all within a very tight planning timeline. Without short-term support from the City Hall, there is a real risk that this year's Garda could be cancelled. That would be... not only the laws of the community, but also for the Chinatown as well as the city of Vancouver.
Sorry, Frank, I just want to let you know you've come to your time.
Okay, yeah, thank you so much. I'm here, yeah. On behalf of the CBA, I respect Tony asked the council to support this movement and help make sure the New Year Ghana can continue this year. Thank you so much.
Statement Watch
Oh, no. I think maybe three minutes is okay. Okay. It's according to your time. Okay. At the afternoon and conscious. Thank you for this opportunity to speak here today. My name is Irene. I'm calling representing the Zhongshan Secondary School Alumni Association to express my strong support for the Chinese New Year Gather and related celebrations in Vancouver. This event will bring together more than a thousand people there. including the community leaders, families, seniors, youth, and elected officials. It's not only a celebration of the Lunar New Year, but also a meaningful opportunity to promote cultural understanding, community connection, and civil pride. The Lunar New Year celebrations have long been an important tradition in Vancouver. They reflected the city's diversity, inclusiveness, and respect for multicultural communities, particularly the Chinese and other Asian communities who have contributed so much to our social, cultural, and economic life for the city. The event... The event and the related play will encourage the community participation, support local business and tourism. These funds that are invested into the community and the city insurances trap Vancouver's reputation as a welcoming world-class city. I believe that supporting Iran is an investment in the community, harmony, cultural heritage, and the shared values of Vancouver. I join this gala for... many years i have i have experienced that the people like this opportunity and the chance to express the their hope their future and they have the good start in the first year in the year of the first day but that's all my speech today thank you so much okay thank you very much so our next speaker on the phone is juliet jang Yes. Good afternoon.
Statement Watch
Oh, hi. Good afternoon, Mayor and Councillors. Thank you for this opportunity to speak today. My name is Juliette Jang. I'm supporting the motion to save Vancouver Iconic Lunar New Year Community Gala in Chinatown. The lunar... New Year Gala is not simply a celebration, it is a long-standing community tradition, deeply connected to Vancouver Chinatown and generation of Chinese Canadian family for decades. Following Lunar New Year Festival and Parade, community member have gathered to dine, connect, support local business, and celebrate the beginning of the New Year together. Each year, this event brings together several thousand attendees, including families, seniors, youth, community leaders, and elected officials. It represents a reunion, renewal, and shared hope of the future. also strengthening the culture and understanding of civic pride across Vancouver. Today, however, this tradition has faced real challenge. With the closure of long-standing venues such as Flotas Restaurant, there is growing concern within our community that this important gala may not be able to continue in the way it has. for more than five decades. Without city support, a meaningful part of this Chinatown cultural life was being lost. Supporting this gala means preserving an important culture and historical tradition, supporting Chinatown local business and economic vitality, encouraged community participation and intergenerational connection, reinforcing Vancouver reputation as an inclusive multicultural city. This is not just a funding for an event, it is an investment in cultural community and harmony, and ongoing vitality of Chinatown. I respectfully urge Council to support this motion and help ensure this iconic Lunar New Year Gala can continue this year and into the future. Thank you, Mayor and Councillor, for your time and recognition of this important cultural celebration. and bring community together. Thank you.
Statement Watch
Lower the, I don't know, press that button to lower it. My name is Honghua Xi. I'm a resident of Vancouver. I'd like to support City Hall to keep the food restaurant operating. I'd like to support City Hall to keep the food restaurant operating. I'd like to support Chinatown's Spring Festival celebration. This celebration is a multicultural celebration. It's very important for Vancouver. Appreciate the City Hall for continuing to support this important celebration. Thank you. Excellent. Thanks very much.
Statement Watch
Thanks, Chair, and the May Councillors, and all city staffers. My name is Helen Qian. I'm the director of the China Town Spring Festival committee. For the Chinese community, the gala dinner represents both the rainy dinner and a New Year open banquet. It's the moment of the beginning of the year when families, friends, and friends gather to celebrate the unit. In Norway and the shared hopes for the future beyond its cultural sagacity, the gala dinner has also played a meaningful role in supporting local business and contributing to the economic vitality of Chinatown. However, the closure of the floater restaurant has raised serious concerns with our community that this long-standing Tradition may be disreputable or disconnecting. We sincerely hope that with the support and the funding assistance of the City of Vancouver, this important event can continue to be held this year. Doing so would help preserve cultural traditions, strengthen community, and contributed to the ongoing revitalization of Chinatown. Thank you for your continued attention and support for Vancouver Chinatown and its wise communities. Thank you.
Statement Watch
Okay, welcome. I am Li Chong. I am a New Yorker who has immigrated to Vancouver in recent years. Today, I am standing here to express my sincere support for this new year. I am very grateful to the Vancouver City Government for their great support this time. All right, our next speaker is Wan Lin Huang.
Statement Watch
Hi, everyone.
Dear Mayor, Consulate, and fellow residents, my name is Gary, and I'm here to strongly support the motion Saving Vancouver Icons Lunar New Year Community Gala in Chinatown. This annual Lunar New Year's Gala is one of Vancouver's most cherished cultural traditions in Chinatown. For this case, it has brought together nearly 3,000 people, community members for lion dance. red envelope blessing and joyful performance to Chinatown. It brings the new generation together to support our multicultural and I very strongly support this activity to our community's bones. Why not these beloved events have a risk to cancel in this year? Losing it is going to hurt our Chinatown's economy and cultural community and our city's reputation for inclusivity. Why not... The motion requests a small amount of support for the community, but it will help the community a lot. So I urge all the councillors to approve this motion to help the Chinatown community support Chinatown. And support Vibration Multicultural Vancouver. Thank you, everyone. Thank you.
Statement Watch
Hi.
Hi, Nancy.
Can you hear me? Yes. Hi. Dear Mayor and Member of Council, thank you so much for the opportunity to speak today. My name is Nancy Fu, and I would like to express my full support for the motion. to continue the Lunar New Year gala dinner in Chinatown. So for the past 52 years, the gala dinner has been a meaningful part of Chinatown's spring festival celebrations. After the annual parade, many families and community members stay in Chinatown to eat, to shopping, and celebrate together as a whole group, a whole family. So ending the day with a gala dinner is the most important thing. This is for not only the Chinese people, I'm thinking, but also for the community because Canada is a multicultural country. So before 20 years ago, I arrived to Canada. This is the first celebration I've been to, which is a festival like the parade. I'm really surprised because... During the time, I'm very enjoyed because I can see the people from all over the world. It's not only for, like, you know, part of the people. It's for the whole country and also for the people who come to Canada and visit. So this is also very meaningful. I'm thinking it's for everybody. So but you know the things happening because of the flooded restaurants closed. So that's why I think many of us are concerned that is important tradition may not going to be continue. I hope the city of Vancouver will provide the support. to ensure the gala dinner can move forward this year, but not only this year. It's also in the future. So I respectfully ask the mayor and the council to support this motion and help preserve this special culture and the community tradition. Thank you so much.