Swimming Lessons Amendment (Fry - Park Board statutory role)
Motion 12 · Standing Committee of Council on City Finance and Services, May 20, 2026
Summary
- Amendment by Councillor Fry to explicitly note that new or replacement aquatic facilities should be delivered per the statutory role of the Board of Parks and Recreation, and that funding directed to the Park Board for swim lessons must be new funding, not redirected from existing programs.
- Fry argued this was important to avoid inadvertently overriding the Park Board's Section 488 Vancouver Charter authority and to prevent the program being funded by cutting other services.
- Defeated.
Vote
Public comments
Read all 1 statements
Transcript
7 segments
There we go. Thanks. And it's just to the nature of the funding and the issue that came up a few times around jurisdiction of the Board of Parks and Recreation recognizing that there may have been some confusion, that this perhaps was an attempt to override the statutory powers of the Park Board under Section 488 of the Vancouver Charter. And I don't believe that that's the intention. But what this does suggest in this amendment, that in D, that the new or replacement aquatic facilities to meet the target capita planned and delivered... per the statutory role of the Board of Parks and Recreation, so they do have a role in that, and of course we do deliver that funding through the capital plan, but that we're not cutting explicitly or by omission cutting the Board of Parks and Recreation out of that operation. And then in A, that the funding... A, is going to the Board of Parks and Recreation, but that it's also new funding. You know, sometimes we approve these things and then find out later that the funding is coming from cutting something else. And I think it's important to distinguish that we're not going to necessarily look to take this money from something else and, you know, effectively defund another program or priority. So that's all.
Okay, Councillor Waugh. Yeah, thanks. I appreciate the amendment. I think it's well crafted in terms of that's kind of where I was going with my line of thinking in terms of where are we going to find the money and, you know, sponsorship and naming aside, you know, oftentimes we do see that we're kind of picking winners and losers when it comes to this. So this inclusion of just the word new is, I think, really important. And so I'll be supporting the amendment. Thanks.
I'm not sure if anyone's seconded this, so I'm happy to second it. Second by council.
Yeah, okay. Go ahead. Yeah, I'm happy to support this. I think it's better to just really clarify the roles of the council and the park board and where the money's coming from, so I'll happily vote in support.
Statement Watch
All right, is anyone else cold in here? Because I definitely am. But good morning, everyone. Good morning, council members and our mayor. My name is Samaya Adam. I am a black Muslim woman, and I'm grateful to be here with you all today. I'm a community builder. However, I am here on behalf of Foundation for a Path Forward. So on foundation, I serve as their board member. And, you know, sometimes you got to do dutiful, do the full things and come and support your community. So that's why I'm here today. However, the foundation's work is really focused on strengthening communities and advancing anti-racism work across local, national, and global contexts. It is in partnership with Resilience BC under the Attorney General's office. Our work is really grounded in collaboration and practical community-led solutions to build stronger, safer, and healthier communities. And so with that, we are here today for a proclamation recognizing Eid al-Hadha. Eid al-Hadha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, which you also graciously shared, it is one of the most significant holidays and celebrations in the Muslim faith. It is rooted in generosity and sacrifice, and it is deeply connected to the values our community cares. So our community really values community care. It is rooted in service. and support. And so when we think about sacrifice, there has to be this willingness to do that. And so at the same time, we cannot ignore the sober context of next month. So this June actually marks five years since the devastating attacks on the Afzal family in London, Ontario, where three generations of Muslim families were taken from us in an act of Islamophobic violence. Even today, we continue to see that rise in Islamophobia. However, moments like today should remind us that while Muslim communities are celebrating, many of us are also navigating anxiety and grief from our day-to-day experiences. So while today is a very symbolic day and a recognition that is so needed, it is an opportunity to deepen our understanding of one another, as well as to build solidarity. And so, thank you for... convening us today because the importance of coming together across differences is what really builds healthier, stronger communities. And so I'm really grateful for the city of Vancouver for creating the space for its residents, opening seats at the table, and really instilling a sense of dignity, shared responsibility through power, shifts, dynamics, all of that. And so this is a place we all call home. And so again, I'm just going to say thank you for giving us the space.
All right. Thanks, everyone. Thanks for... Alright, so this is the plan for the day. We're going to break at noon for lunch and return at 1pm to continue to deal with the remainder of the agenda. If needed, we need to recess at 5pm for a dinner break and reconvene at 6pm to complete the agenda. Okay, so now the committee member will consider the matter adopted on consent. We have report number one on the consent agenda for the committee's consideration. We will hold report two and three to hear from the speakers.