1. It’s day one on the job… and to start your work with the Park Board, you are invited to make one change in one park – which park do you pick, and what do you do?
Stop the tree extraction/felling within Stanley Park with the exception of trees determined to be of imminent risk to life or assets using provincially certified danger tree assessment methods. Restore and promote forest canopy with tree species composition that reflect the Coastal Western Hemlock biogeoclimatic zone.
2. In your opinion, how well is the delivery of parks and public spaces aligned with the type of growth and change taking place in Vancouver’s neighbourhoods?
Park and green space addition must be proportional to growth expansion on an area basis. On an immediate basis, our party will work to rescind authorization for the BC Hydro substation at Nelson Park and formally request that the British Columbia Utilities Commission deny the permit. We will also conduct a full review of the Burrard View Park food forest and fire pit with consideration for local neighbourhood needs.
3. Heavier rains, more intense heat, and wildfire smoke are all being described as part of a “new normal” tied to climate change. Should Vancouver’s parks and recreation facilities play a part in supporting climate resilience or climate adaptation? If yes, how?
Most definitely! Forest canopy cover is an essential part of temperature modification, along with carbon sequestration and storage, hydrological integrity and wildfire prevention. We will establish the Green Canopy Office of which I will be directly involved with given my professional background in forest ecology. The Green Canopy Office will be a panel of experts that will assist the Park Board in directing City staff in forest/tree management within Vancouver’s parks.
4. The Park Board (and City) is under increasing pressure to find new ways to finance park upgrades, deliver new parks, and cover other capital and operational costs. How do you propose financing your priorities in the context of the broader City budgeting process?
First and foremost, funding via commercialization and privatization of our parks must end. Parks & associated recreation facilities should be adequately maintain and even enhanced via Vancouver’s tax base, provincial & federal grants, and affordable user fees. Quality of experience and accessibility should never loose focus. Of course, this is a collaborative effort between the Park Board and the City in terms of coming up with financing that is acceptable to both parties.
5. Vancouver is a city with a very diverse population with lots of different cultures calling this place home. Should the Park Board be doing more to respond to the needs of different cultural user groups? If yes, what sorts of changes to Park Board processes or practices would you envision?
Great question. VIPP has thought this out and we will institute bottom-up governance. We will convene monthly town halls to meaningfully engage with citizens and their concerns. In a democratic community, there is an ethical obligation to provide access to our public resources to all citizens.
6. We have to ask: are you planning – secretly, overtly, or otherwise – to abolish or reform the Park Board? If yes, what are you intending to do? In general, what’s your vision for Park Board governance?
I hear your concern since there has been movement afoot to do so, hence one of the reasons why I stepped forward as a candidate. VIPP will be steadfast in ensuring that the Park Board is not abolished and it maintains its authority of jurisdiction over the City’s parks.
7. In recent years, the Park Board has taken steps towards reconciliation, decolo
Constitutionally, we basically have two landlords of “public lands” – that of which colonialists claim and that of which Indigenous peoples claim as traditional territories. We are in the era of co-management, which is a good thing sinceachievement of the higher common denominator is achievable. Corporations, whether Indigenous owned or not, will be viewed on equal footing and treated equitably; in other words, there is a clear distinction between hereditary leaders/band councils and that of their corporations.
8. What, if anything, do you think the Park Board should do to support/facilitate community activation and stewardship of park spaces and facilities?
Being receptive and responsive to City citizens is key here, hence why VIPP will convene monthly town halls as just one example. Engagement in turns results in more participation and thus more hands on deck to ensure park stewardship. It is a collective effort and the Park Board can not do this alone and requires the social/political capital to achieve its mandate and goals.
9. We are living in a period of both increasing polarization and increasing social isolation. Should the Parks Board be doing more to respond to these issues? If yes, what do you propose?
Ensuring affordable access to all will assist in addressing this issue, along with supporting multi-cultural events. This is what makes Vancouver a special city and we need to do more to ensure the continuance of cultural interactions; our parks and associated facilities are excellent locations for such activities/events.