PRESS RELEASE
ABC Cllr. Rebecca Bligh says “Unlocking Shaughnessy” Motion is A Questionable Use of City Staff Time and Resources
Vancouver, B.C., November 15, 2023 — Today, ABC city councillors voted together to reject a motion that was described as redundant and driven by divisive politicking. One City’s Christine Boyle’s failed “Unlocking Shaughnessy” motion would have directed City staff to duplicate efforts already underway through existing planning policies, and would seek to drive a wedge among Vancouver communities along class lines.
“I’m grateful to my fellow councillors for rejecting this motion, which would have wasted precious staff time and resources at a time when we desperately need new, attainable housing,” says ABC Councillor Rebecca Bligh. “Not only would the work be redundant, the land economics are a huge barrier to achieving any housing the majority of Vancouverites could reasonably afford.”
Bligh cites the fact that major citywide planning initiatives, such as the Vancouver Plan, and planning for the nearby Broadway corridor are already underway and should take precedence. Further, ABC Councillors have already brought forward the largest rezoning in the City’s history through their shepherding of the Missing Middle zoning.
“In addition to these ABC-led initiatives,” adds Bligh, “this neighbourhood, as with the rest of Vancouver, already has the zoning in place for more density,” furthermore, “the provincial government has also introduced sweeping housing legislation focused on enabling transit-oriented development.”
Vancouver’s ABC Mayor and Councillors are currently focused on and committed to achieving the “Big Picture housing strategies” outlined by ABC policies such as 3-3-3-1, the Missing Middle strategy, and the recent direction initiated by Mayor Ken Sim to proceed with densifying the city’s 26 village nodes.
“Our ABC council team has committed ourselves to uplifting all of Vancouver’s diverse neighbourhoods,” says Bligh. “We’ve already had years of politicking that divides our city. To meet today’s challenges, all parts of the city must resolve and work together.”
The City of Vancouver currently has six major housing initiatives proposed or underway that can deliver as many as 55,000 housing units.
“For media inquiries, please contact:
Christy Thompson
christy.thompson@abcvancouver.ca
403-689-9669