Our Work: 2025 By-Election Candidate Survey (Updated): Question 4

4. How important is the democratic function of public space to you? How would you ensure public spaces like parks and plazas are accessible and inclusive?

Guy DUBÉ (100) - Everyone deserves to be able to use our public spaces. Ensure staff are engaging the public and creating safe and accessible spaces.

Karin LITZCKE (101) - This is a bit ironic, but I think the availability of PRIVATE outdoor space goes a long way to ensuring that public outdoor space is accessible and inclusive to all. When people are forced to move more of their private outdoor activities to a public area because they don’t have their own space, there is more competition for public space and it is easily over-utilized by some, including for inappropriate activities (for example, for dog grooming with resultant debris of dog hair left behind).

Democratic use of public space means (to me) that no one dominates it, or uses it in a way that prevents its use, as intended, by others.

Lucy MALONEY (105) - A lot of our public spaces are inaccessible to disabled people, like the stairs/ramp combination in Robson Square that purports to be accessible but misses the mark. I am opposed to the prevalent response to homelessness that involves building hostile architecture that reduces usable resting places for people (particularly disabled people) and few rain shelters (awnings) on sidewalks in commercial areas and in front of public buildings. Many public spaces are comfortable for boys and young men but not girls and gender diverse people. Our public spaces fail to welcome racialised and marginalised communities, but there’s a lot of research out there with the answers gained by actually talking to the diversity of communities about what helps folks from all backgrounds access and participate in public spaces and I think we need to be implementing those best-practices.

Jeanifer DECENA (106) - Public spaces are where democracy comes to life—they are places where communities gather, express themselves, and find a sense of belonging. Our parks, plazas, and streets should reflect the diversity, struggles, and triumphs of all people who call Vancouver home.

To ensure accessibility, inclusion, and cultural safety, I would focus on:

• Art that Represents Our City’s Diversity
  • Murals, sculptures, and installations that honor the histories of Indigenous peoples, immigrants, workers, and all communities that have shaped Vancouver.
  • Indigenous culture should not only be acknowledged but also woven into the fabric of all public spaces.
• Physical Accessibility for Everyone
  • Ramps, clear pathways, and fully maintained public washrooms for seniors, people with disabilities, families, and those who need safe, gender-inclusive spaces.
  • Seating areas, shade, and rest areas to ensure comfort for all, including those who are unhoused or need shelter.
• Cultural Safety and Inclusion
  • Public spaces should be free from discrimination, racial profiling, and exclusion, ensuring that Indigenous communities, racialized groups, LGBTQ+ individuals, and newcomers feel truly welcome.
  • Every cultural event and public program should be inclusive of Indigenous participation and representation, reinforcing that reconciliation is ongoing and active.
  • Community-led safety programs to ensure that marginalized individuals feel safe in public spaces, rather than being unfairly policed or displaced.
• Safety and Comfort for All
  • Well-lit parks and plazas to reduce crime, vandalism, and ensure safety at all hours.
  • Proper staffing and maintenance to keep spaces clean, functional, and welcoming.
  • More free and accessible community programming to ensure public spaces remain vibrant, engaging, and used by a wide range of people.

Public spaces should not just accommodate some—they must be built for all. They must be safe, accessible, and welcoming, reflecting the diverse cultures, histories, and voices of everyone in Vancouver.

Sean ORR (108) - The same housing system that creates homelessness, jacks up our rents, and pushes our friends and families out of town is the same system that only sees public space as something to be leveraged in the development process instead of a community commons.

So in some ways, I think taking that component away from the corporate sphere would go some way to maintaining the democratic function of public space. It starts in the design process too. Having disabled people at the table, having community stakeholders involved, and adopting a city-wide equity lens on councillor motions would all go a ways to making sure public space is inclusive. I also think that democracy is something we continually have to fight for, something we build, and there are ways we can increase public participation in the process of planning and designing our public spaces in more meaningful ways.

Colleen HARDWCK (109) & Theodore ABBOTT (110) - TEAM strongly supports an independent democratically elected Park Board that safeguards the parks and recreation system that is so important to public spaces.

Annette REILLY (112) - Public space is where democracy actually happens—it’s where people gather, protest, celebrate, and connect. To keep it that way, we have to push back against privatization and over-regulation that make public areas feel less, well, public. Ken Sim and ABC have already made it clear they’re willing to sell public asset naming rights to the highest bidder and redevelop public-owned city land into for-profit market housing. We can’t let public space become just another real estate asset. I’d work to make sure parks, plazas, and streets stay open and accessible for everything from rallies to community events to spontaneous street performances. Accessibility isn’t just about ramps—it means designing spaces that work for everyone, making sure they’re welcoming across cultures, and ensuring safety without turning to over-policing. Public space belongs to the people, not private interests.

List of Survey Questions