Op-Ed – A Better Vancouver Starts with Stronger Neighbourhoods

We want to create a city that residents are proud to call home.

And it starts with getting the basics right. We know that cleaner streets, welcoming public spaces and well-kept neighbourhoods are essential to creating a safe, connected city – places where businesses can thrive and families can enjoy.

Residents want to see real improvements in their neighbourhoods — and that’s exactly what ABC Vancouver is delivering.

Big changes are coming to the Hastings-Sunrise community. With a $5.2 million investment recently announced by Mayor Ken Sim, the area will see targeted public space improvements and permanent upgrades to the Kamloops-Hastings Neighbourhood Plaza. 

The area will see cleaner streets, fresh coats of paint, sidewalk repairs, bike racks, more trees and greenspace, and much more.

But it doesn’t stop there – more upgrades are planned across Vancouver over the next two years thanks to the city’s Uplifting Communities Fund, including the new Bute-Robson Plaza currently under construction.

These types of improvements are the building blocks of a thriving community. That’s why ABC Vancouver is committed to making strategic investments in road infrastructure, public spaces and community amenities, to create vibrant neighbourhoods that will thrive for decades to come. Some highlights include:

  • A $139M increase to the $3.5 billion Capital Plan to maintain and renew our city’s aging infrastructure.
  • Funding for road maintenance, pothole repairs, street cleaning, horticulture, transportation safety and accessibility improvements, and expanding the cycling network.
  • A new 42,000 square foot Marpole Community Centre.
  • A bold plan for Moberly Park that includes a new turf field, walking track, spray park and field house.
  • $3.4 million in grants through the Uplifting Chinatown Action Plan, supporting local businesses and cultural spaces.
  • A renewal plan for the West End Community Hub.
  • A new Granville Street Planning Program – an ambitious initiative to revitalize one of Vancouver’s most iconic streets.

But we’re investing in more than just infrastructure — we’re investing in experiences and turning Vancouver into a world-class event hub. By increasing support for community events and festivals, and attracting the world’s biggest events, we’re making Vancouver a city that truly comes alive.

The city created a $1.9 million fund in partnership with Destination Vancouver and the Vancouver Hotel Destination Association to attract major new events that fuel our economy.

In 2024 alone, the city supported 14 sports and 13 cultural events – including the Grey Cup – which brought in $117 million in economic impact.

Already this year, we’ve hosted the Invictus Games and are getting ready for the Junos and Web Summit, all in the lead up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Bringing energy back to our streets will spark a ripple effect across Vancouver’s economy — boosting local restaurants, hotels, tourist attractions and cultural venues.

When we put Vancouver on the map, we all win.

But it takes the right team at City Hall to get the job done.

On April 5, Vancouver will elect two new city councillors. Your vote isn’t just about filling two council seats – it’s about keeping the momentum going and building on progress.

We are stepping up to serve our community and have the experience needed to bring fresh ideas and new solutions to the table.

Together, with Mayor Ken Sim the ABC Vancouver team, we can make our city the best it can be.

Learn more: abcvancouver.ca/byelection    

– Jaime Stein and Ralph Kaisers, ABC Vancouver candidates for City Council.

Previous Op-Ed – Results That Matter: Turning Promises into Progress

We acknowledge that we live, work, and play on the Unceded Territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

ABC積極尋求方法以支持和幫助那些傳統上被邊緣化和代表性不足的社區人士,包括女性、2SLGBTQAI+ 社區成員、原住民、種族化的人、殘疾人、移民以及經歷或經歷過經濟困難的人。

Authorized by the Financial Agent for ABC Vancouver

ABC溫哥華
PO Box 95043
Vancouver RPO Kingsgate
Vancouver BC V5T 4T8
info@abcvancouver.ca