Candidate Profile – John IRWIN – #212 – (Vision Vancouver)
Top 3 priorities (from City of Vancouver Election webpage)
- Climate Action
- Reconciliaction
- Affordability
Platform (from City of Vancouver Election webpage)
I am seeking re-election, as we have much more to achieve for Vancouver’s parks. We can build on our work prioritizing the climate crisis, promoting active transportation and ‘reconcili-action’ (action-based reconciliation), and providing accessible, affordable parks and recreation. I will support our ongoing partnership with the Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh in co-management of our facilities. Community outreach is essential, and I look forward to working with all residents to create a vibrant public parks system.
2022 Park Board Candidate Questions
1. You’re speaking to a friend from out of town, and they ask for a quick overview of “where things are at” with Vancouver’s parks and recreation facilities. What do you say?
Our parks provided a very key and important role during the pandemic, as people headed to them to find refuge from being stuck in their houses and to recreate at levels not seen before. While some criticize the current state of our parks, I would tell my friend that they provide important space for all Vancouver residents to play, relax, and have contact to some aspects of nature. I would take them on rides and strolls through our parks, especially Stanley Park, to enjoy the feeling of moving through quite natural areas by using active transport.
2. The topic of equity features heavily in both VanPlay (the Parks Board Masterplan) and the recently approved Vancouver Plan. What’s your take? Does Vancouver’s park system need to be more equitable and accessible? If yes, what changes would you propose and/or prioritize to make this happen?
Yes, our park and recreation system needs to be more equitable. During our first term, the progressive commissioners passed motions to lower fees. If re-elected I would continue to work to lower fees, while finding the means to continue to support the Community Centre Associations, which are the volunteer backbone of our system. I would also work hard to increase the Park Board’s share of tax revenues, now at only 8%, to help to renew and increase both park space and recreational facilities. I would also collaborate with other commissioners to continue to increase the Park Board share of Development Cost Levies (restored to 32% by advocacy by the current board after hitting a low of 16%).
3. As a general principle, should parks aim to accommodate cycling paths within their boundaries? What are your thoughts on bikes and bike lanes in parks? (Please note: this is not specifically a question about Stanley Park).
We worked consistently to have bicycles and other active transport modes be fully accommodated in our parks. We were able to have staff make spot improvements to the Kitsilano bike path, and we passed a plan to site a new bike path through the Kits Beach area. I would take the same approach for emerging parks such as Creekside and the Northeast False Creek parks. The Stanley Park mobility study, which was crafted by me and seconded and supported by Chair Mackinnon, is laying the groundwork for more active transportation in Stanley Park.
4. What role, if any, do you see the Park Board playing in responding to the needs of people experiencing homelessness/houselessness and encampments?
Starting in 2019, the progressive majority on the Park Board, which included two of our candidates (Park Board Chair Stuart Mackinnon and Commissioner John Irwin) decided to not seek injunctions in the case of unhoused people sheltering in parks. As a result folks were able to shelter in parks at Oppenheimer and Strathcona Parks. When each of these parks were shifted back into park use, people were provided with housing, while some of it was not adequate in SROs, at least 600 people were housed.
The progressive majority also changed the Park Board bylaws to be in line with the BC courts by permitting unhoused residents to shelter in parks during the night, and during the day at the discretion of the General Manager of the Park Board. As a result of these changes many unhoused residents have sheltered in tents at Crab Park for many months, during both night and day. During the Strathcona period, washrooms and showers were provided to the unhoused sheltering there. We also worked hard to craft a Memorandum of Understanding with the province and City Council, which clearly lays out a path forward for housing people in modular housing and leased hotels. A skilled BC Housing staff member was hired by the Park Board to facilitate the shift for the unhoused to housing. We also continue to work with the other levels of government to find solutions for many of our unhoused residents. During this period, Commissioner John Irwin was the liaison to the unhoused residents and spent many days listening to folk’s concerns.
We were also able to return the parks to the community as improved green spaces, once the unhoused moved to other areas.
5. Should Vancouver’s parks and recreation facilities play a part in supporting climate resilience or ecosystem restoration? If yes, how?
Yes, we can continue to mitigate the greenhouse gas emissions from our buildings, pools, fleets, and equipment. I fully supported Commissioner Demer’s motion to phase out gas burning equipment for electric. Also, similar to the Shift delivery company, we could have staff explore employing more active transport modes within the park system, including carrying small crews and light tools.
In terms of Stanley Park, we can achieve gains by vastly increasing active transport with the Park Drive bike lane, while also providing climate action with an electric shuttle for those with disabilities (these folks could also be provided with more parking spaces).
Regarding resilience, we need to plant many more trees in fairly deep street wells, which could be fed by channeling storm water through them, as the city is starting to do under the rain city strategy. We can also bring storm water flows to the surface and re-create streams and ponds to allow for more infiltration into the City’s aquifers. These stream areas would create vibrant parks that would provide habitat and be enjoyed by our city’s residents.
Given the harsh realities of climate change, we may have to look at planned retreat in some ocean-side areas. As a city we have to fully consider whether we can continue to spend significant funds rebuilding sections of the seawall and other assets, when there is a high probability that they will be damaged again in the next climate change driven storm event.
6. Is having a Board of Parks and Recreation the best way to govern and manage Vancouver’s park system? If yes, why? If not, what would you propose in its place?
At around 270 parks, starting from Stanley Park, I would assert that a separate Park Board with its own jurisdictional powers has been much more effective than a City department would be. Few residents know the long history of park acquisition and recreation provision in our city. Our staff works diligently with other levels of government to provide park board services and facilities. Significant attention needs to be paid to co-management (see below) and other democratic improvements (improvements to public engagement).
7. What, if anything, do you think the Park Board should do to support/facilitate community activation/events and stewardship of park spaces and facilities?
Many vibrant arts and cultural events are already activated in our parks, but we could do much more. I will work with staff and collaborate with other commissioners to foster more pop-up events (such as Bhangra, Pow Wow and other dance mobs). The ‘Opera Zone’ held by Kerrisdale Community Centre Association could be moved out into our parks during better weather. More indigenous art projects, such as the one featuring vibrant First Nations patterns could become the norm. The Vancouver Biennale projects should be fully supported and expanded.
The amazing stewardship facilitated by the Stanley Park Ecology Society and the Strathcona Community Garden Association, and many others should continue to be supported, as they are some of our most important park partners. They educate the public about having a better relationship with other species, such as Blue Herons and Coyotes. They also feature many indigenous activities from the host nations, such as Salnachiya ?e te Tsaiylu (The Forest & Me), and Talsay Tours ‘Talking Trees’ walks.
8. In the past few years, the Park Board has taken steps towards reconciliation, decolonization, and co-management with MST First Nations. Would you continue this work? If yes, how?
Yes, by engaging at the intergovernmental level with the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh (MST), which should meet at least biannually. I will continue to support the colonial audit and decolonization by providing sufficient funds to Decolonization, Arts, and Culture. I will continue to work with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, MST, and urban indigenous groups on a cultural healing lodge in Crab Park. Earlier this year we passed a motion to co-manage our parks with the MST, and one of the main reasons that I am running again is to continue this work.
9. If you could make changes to one park in the city – which park is it, and what would you do?
I would work hard to ensure that cyclists and other active transport users are able to go to and through the proposed Northeast False Creek Park. I would collaborate with all of the many groups that intersect at this location (MST, Hogan’s Alley, the Chinese Community) to have their long history and vibrant cultures reflected in the park. I would ensure that First Nations continue to be fully collaborated with on the design and naming of the park. This key park lies at the intersection between east and west and many cultural groups, it should reflect this in an inclusive, participatory planning process.
10. Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself or your platform?
I hold a PhD specializing in sustainable urban development, work as a lecturer at Simon Fraser University and Alexander College and have also worked as a policy analyst for the Tenant’s Rights Action Coalition (now the Tenant Resource Advisory Centre) and the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, B.C. office. I worked in fair trade retail from 1996 to 2004. I am the father of three school-aged kids and live in the Fairview neighbourhood.
I have served on several boards including the Society Promoting Environmental Conservation, Friends of False Creek (now the False Creek Watershed Society) and the West End Residents Association. I was chair of the Henry Hudson Out-of-School Society and I am an advocate for affordable childcare.
I am running for reelection with Vision Vancouver as a park board commissioner, as I think that we have much more to achieve regarding the climate crisis, active transportation, ‘reconcili-action’ and accessible and affordable parks and recreation. In my first term, I brought forward many successful motions: the Stanley Park Mobility Study focuses on reducing automobile traffic and promotes active transportation by increasing cycling, walking and public transit in the park while increasing accessibility for those with disabilities; a motion requesting the Port Authority give the park board the go-ahead to work with the local First Nations to plan and build an Indigenous cultural healing centre in CRAB Park; and a recent motion asking staff to design fully accessible playgrounds for all children, which will help those with disabilities play with their peers in an active and inclusive way.
Biography and Contact
Biography (City of Vancouver Election Webpage)
As the father of three school-aged children, John Irwin keenly understands that Vancouver’s parks and recreation facilities are vital for our city’s sustainability. He holds a PhD specializing in sustainable urban development and is a lecturer at SFU and Alexander College. In his first term as a Park Board Commissioner, John successfully introduced motions promoting active transportation and universal accessibility.
Contact
Phone: 604-330-9327
Email: jirwin@alternatives.com
Website: https://www.votevision.ca