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Do not fill this in! ==Government== {{Main|Government and politics of Vancouver}} [[File:Vancouver_neighbourhoods.jpg|thumb|Map of the 22 official neighbourhoods of Vancouver]] Vancouver, unlike other British Columbia municipalities, is [[Local government in Canada|incorporated]] under the ''[[Vancouver Charter]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/vanch_00 |title=Vancouver Charter |publisher=Queen's Printer |date=November 18, 2009 |access-date=November 29, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706165944/http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/vanch_00 |archive-date=July 6, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> The legislation, passed in 1953, supersedes the ''Vancouver Incorporation Act, 1921'' and grants the city more and different powers than other communities possess under British Columbia's ''Municipalities Act''. The civic government was dominated by the centre-right [[Non-Partisan Association]] (NPA) since [[World War II]], albeit with some significant centre-left interludes until 2008.<ref name="GVB" /> The NPA fractured over the issue of [[narcotic|drug]] policy in 2002, facilitating a landslide victory for the [[Coalition of Progressive Electors]] (COPE) on a [[harm reduction]] platform. Subsequently, North America's only legal safe injection site at the time, [[Insite]], was opened for the significant number of intravenous heroin users in the city.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15130282 |title=Vancouver Insite drug-injection facility can stay open |work=BBC News |date=September 30, 2011 |access-date=September 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930151624/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15130282 |archive-date=September 30, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> Vancouver is governed by the eleven-member [[Vancouver City Council]], a nine-member [[Vancouver School Board|School Board]], and a seven-member [[Vancouver Park Board|Park Board]], all of whom serve four-year terms. Unusually for a city of Vancouver's size, all municipal elections are on an [[at-large]] basis. Historically, in all levels of government, the more affluent west side of Vancouver has voted along [[Conservatism in Canada|conservative]] or [[Liberalism in Canada|liberal]] lines. In contrast, the city's eastern side has voted along [[left-wing politics|left-wing]] lines.<ref>{{cite thesis |first=Andrea Barbara |last=Smith |title=The Origins of the NPA: A Study in Vancouver Politics |type=MA |publisher=University of British Columbia |date=1981}}</ref> This was reaffirmed with the results of the [[2005 British Columbia general election|2005 provincial election]] and the [[Canadian federal election results in Greater Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast|2006 federal election]]. [[File:City Hall (6868486297).jpg|thumb|Opened in 1936, [[Vancouver City Hall]] is home to [[Vancouver City Council]].]] Though polarized, a political [[Consensus decision-making|consensus]] has emerged in Vancouver around several issues. Protection of urban parks, a focus on the development of [[rapid transit]] as opposed to a freeway system, a harm-reduction approach to illegal drug use, and a general concern about community-based development are examples of policies that have come to have broad support across the [[political spectrum]] in Vancouver.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Conflicts and consensus in Vancouver's political history |url=https://vancouversun.com/news/conflicts-and-consensus-in-vancouvers-political-history |access-date=March 3, 2022 |newspaper=[[Vancouver Sun]] |archive-date=October 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018184042/https://vancouversun.com/news/conflicts-and-consensus-in-vancouvers-political-history |url-status=live }}</ref> In the [[2008 Vancouver municipal election|2008 municipal election]] campaign, NPA incumbent mayor [[Sam Sullivan]] was ousted as mayoral candidate by the party in a close vote, which instated Peter Ladner as the new mayoral candidate for the NPA. [[Gregor Robertson (politician)|Gregor Robertson]], a former MLA for [[Vancouver-Fairview]] and head of [[Happy Planet]], was the mayoral candidate for Vision Vancouver, the other main contender. Vision Vancouver candidate Gregor Robertson defeated Ladner by a considerable margin, nearing 20,000 votes. The balance of power was significantly shifted to Vision Vancouver, which held seven of the ten spots for councillor. Of the remaining three, COPE received two and the NPA one. For park commissioner, four seats went to Vision Vancouver, one to the Green Party, one to COPE, and one to NPA. For school trustees, there were four Vision Vancouver seats, three COPE seats, and two NPA seats.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://vancouver.ca/electionresults2008 |title=Vancouver Votes Municipal Election 2008 |publisher=City of Vancouver |access-date=November 29, 2009 |archive-date=March 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310084626/https://vancouver.ca/your-government/get-government-information.aspx |url-status=live}}</ref> In the [[2018 Vancouver municipal election]], independent [[Kennedy Stewart (Canadian politician)|Kennedy Stewart]] was elected [[List of mayors of Vancouver|mayor of Vancouver]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Zussman |first1=Richard |last2=Ferreras |first2=Jesse |title=B.C. municipal election 2018: Vancouver results - BC {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4166537/vancouver-bc-municipal-election-2018/ |website=globalnews.ca |date=June 30, 2018 |access-date=February 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009090835/https://globalnews.ca/news/4166537/vancouver-bc-municipal-election-2018/ |archive-date=October 9, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Stewart was later defeated as mayor in the [[2022 Vancouver municipal election]] by [[Ken Sim]], the runner-up in the 2018 election.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9197530/vancouver-new-mayor-ken-sim/ |title=Ken Sim defeats Kennedy Stewart to become mayor as ABC party sweeps Vancouver election | Globalnews.ca |access-date=November 13, 2022 |archive-date=October 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016172424/https://globalnews.ca/news/9197530/vancouver-new-mayor-ken-sim/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Vancouver's budget consists of a capital and an operating component. In 2023, the operating budget was $1.97{{nbsp}}billion, with a 5-year financial plan, developed in 2022, that projected the budget would increase to $2.46{{nbsp}}billion by 2027. The 2023 capital budget was $580{{nbsp}}million, with a 2023 to 2026 Capital Plan that anticipates $3.5{{nbsp}}billion in expenditures in those four years.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/2023-draft-budget-including-adjustments.pdf |title=Vancouver 2023 Budget |date=March 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409074806/https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/2023-draft-budget-including-adjustments.pdf |archive-date=April 9, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> Budget increases are primarily funded through increases in property taxes and community amenity contributions imposed in exchange for increases in allowable density as part of the construction permitting process. Utility and other user fees have also been increased but represent a small portion of Vancouver's overall budget. ===Regional government=== [[File:Vancouver Metropolitan Area, 2018.jpg|thumb|[[Vancouver Metropolitan Area]] in 2018]] Along with 20 other municipalities, one electoral area and one treaty First Nation,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metrovancouver.org/about/Pages/default.aspx |title=Who is Metro Vancouver |publisher=Metro Vancouver |access-date=August 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120820020310/http://www.metrovancouver.org/about/Pages/default.aspx |archive-date=August 20, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> Vancouver is a member municipality of [[Metro Vancouver Regional District|Metro Vancouver]], the regional government whose seat is in [[Burnaby]]. While each member of Metro Vancouver has its own separate local governing body, Metro Vancouver oversees standard services and planning functions within the area, such as providing drinking water; operating sewage and solid waste handling; maintaining regional parks; managing air quality, [[greenhouse gases]] and ecological health; and providing a strategy for regional growth and land use. ===Provincial and federal representation=== In the [[Legislative Assembly of British Columbia]], Vancouver is represented by 11 [[Member of the Legislative Assembly|members of the Legislative Assembly]] (MLAs). As of June 2022, there are two seats held by [[BC United]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 30, 2022 |title=BC Liberal leader Kevin Falcon wins seat in legislature through byelection |url=https://bc.ctvnews.ca/bc-liberal-leader-kevin-falcon-wins-seat-in-legislature-through-byelection-1.5883660 |access-date=June 17, 2022 |website=British Columbia |archive-date=May 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530021224/https://bc.ctvnews.ca/bc-liberal-leader-kevin-falcon-wins-seat-in-legislature-through-byelection-1.5883660 |url-status=live }}</ref> and nine by the [[British Columbia New Democratic Party|BC New Democratic Party]]. In the [[House of Commons of Canada]], Vancouver is represented by six members of Parliament. In the [[2021 Canadian federal election|2021 federal election]], the [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberals]] retained three seats ([[Vancouver Quadra]], [[Vancouver Centre]], and [[Vancouver South (federal electoral district)|Vancouver South]]) and gained one ([[Vancouver Granville]]), while the [[New Democratic Party (Canada)|NDP]] held on to the two seats ([[Vancouver East (federal electoral district)|Vancouver East]] and [[Vancouver Kingsway]]) they held at dissolution. The [[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservatives]] were shut out of the city's ridings. Two current Cabinet ministers hail from the city β [[Vancouver South (federal electoral district)|Vancouver South]] MP [[Harjit Sajjan]] is Minister of International Development, and Vancouver Quadra MP [[Joyce Murray]] is Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard. ===Policing and crime=== [[File:Vancouver Police.jpg|thumb|Mounted officers of the [[Vancouver Police Department]] in [[Stanley Park]]]] Vancouver operates the [[Vancouver Police Department]], with 1,327 sworn members and an operating budget of $316.5{{nbsp}}million in 2018.<ref>{{cite report |url=https://vancouver.ca/police/assets/pdf/annual-reports/vpd-annual-report-2018.pdf |title=2018 Annual Report |date=2018 |publisher=Vancouver Police Department |access-date=January 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723092802/https://vancouver.ca/police/assets/pdf/annual-reports/vpd-annual-report-2018.pdf |archive-date=July 23, 2019}}</ref><ref name="2018AnnualReport">{{cite report |url=https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/city-of-vancouver-2018-annual-financial-report.pdf |title=Annual Financial Report |date=2018 |publisher=City of Vancouver |access-date=January 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723011644/https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/city-of-vancouver-2018-annual-financial-report.pdf |archive-date=July 23, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Over 19 percent of the city's budget was spent on police protection in 2018 and by 2023 that has increased to 20.2 percent.<ref name="2018AnnualReport" /><ref>{{cite web |publisher=City of Vancouver |date=2023 |title=Vancouver Budget 2023: Amended 2023 Draft Budget and Five-Year Financial Plan |website=Vancouver.ca |access-date=March 26, 2023 |url=https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/2023-draft-budget-including-adjustments.pdf |archive-date=April 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409074806/https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/2023-draft-budget-including-adjustments.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The Vancouver Police Department's operational divisions include a [[police bicycle|bicycle squad]], a [[water police|marine squad]], and a [[police dog|dog squad]]. It also has a [[mounted police|mounted squad]], used primarily to patrol Stanley Park and for crowd control.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mounted Squad: Patrol District One |publisher=Vancouver Police Department |url=http://vancouver.ca/police/operations/mounted/index.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050221232742/http://vancouver.ca/police/operations/mounted/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 21, 2005 |date=January 18, 2005 |access-date=January 31, 2010}}</ref> The police work in conjunction with civilian and volunteer-run Community Police Centres.<ref>{{cite web |title=Operations Division |publisher=City of Vancouver |url=http://www.vancouver.ca/police/operations/index.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060517020351/http://www.vancouver.ca/police/operations/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 17, 2006 |date=January 3, 2006 |access-date=January 31, 2010}}</ref> In 2006, the police department established its own [[Counterterrorism|counterterrorism unit]]. In 2005, a new transit police force, the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority Police Service (now the [[Metro Vancouver Transit Police]]), was established with full police powers. Before the legalization of marijuana, Vancouver police generally did not arrest people for possessing small amounts of [[cannabis (drug)|marijuana]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Cohen |first=Jackie |date=March 31, 2001 |title=Getting Dot-Bombed in Vancouver |url=https://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2001/03/42655 |url-status=live |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100211112343/http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2001/03/42655 |archive-date=February 11, 2010 |access-date=January 31, 2010}}</ref> In 2000 the Vancouver Police Department established a specialized drug squad, "Growbusters", to carry out an aggressive campaign against the city's estimated 4,000 [[hydroponics|hydroponic]] marijuana growing operations (or grow-ops) in residential areas.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 26, 2000 |title=Growbusters |work=[[CBC News]] |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2000/07/26/bc_growbusters000725.html |access-date=January 17, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070527023833/http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2000/07/26/bc_growbusters000725.html |archive-date=May 27, 2007}}</ref> As with other law enforcement campaigns targeting marijuana this initiative has been sharply criticized.<ref>{{cite news |last=Burrows |first=Mathew |title=Who You Gonna Call? |work=The Republic |date=February 21, 2002 |url=http://www.republic-news.org/archive/32-repub/repub_32_grow.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20080509030322/http://www.republic-news.org/archive/32-repub/repub_32_grow.html |archive-date=May 9, 2008 |access-date=January 31, 2010}}</ref> [[File:Downtown Eastside, Vancouver during coronavirus pandemic (49791264711).jpg|thumb|For decades, the [[Downtown Eastside]] area of Vancouver has faced a complex set of social issues, including disproportionately high levels of [[Substance abuse|drug use]], [[homelessness]], [[poverty]], [[crime]], and [[mental illness]].]] {{As of|2018}}, Vancouver had the ninth-highest [[crime in Canada|crime rate]], dropping five spots since 2005, among Canada's 35 census metropolitan areas.<ref name="STCD">{{cite web |title=Police-reported crime statistics |publisher=[[Statistics Canada]] |url=https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/pub/85-002-x/2019001/article/00013-eng.pdf |date=July 22, 2019 |access-date=January 11, 2020 |archive-date=January 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111232644/https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/pub/85-002-x/2019001/article/00013-eng.pdf%3Fst%3D4kqbCVeM |url-status=live}}</ref> However, as with other Canadian cities, the overall crime rate has been falling "dramatically".<ref>{{cite web |date=April 21, 2009 |title=Police-reported Crime Severity Index |url=http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/090421/dq090421b-eng.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609204246/http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/090421/dq090421b-eng.htm |archive-date=June 9, 2011 |access-date=December 1, 2009 |publisher=[[Statistics Canada]]}}</ref> The rate of firearm related violence dropped from 45.3 per 100,000 in 2006, the highest of any major metropolitan region in Canada at that time, to 16.2 in 2017.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?k=19079&id=4b651ab1-e729-44a9-86d3-79a1ddc84689 |title=Gun crime in Metro Vancouver highest per capita in Canada |work=Canada.com |date=February 20, 2008 |access-date=April 26, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214043459/http://www2.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?k=19079&id=4b651ab1-e729-44a9-86d3-79a1ddc84689 |archive-date=February 14, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/pub/89-28-0001/2018001/article/00004-eng.pdf |title=Firearm-related violent crime |date=2017 |website=StatsCan |access-date=January 11, 2020 |archive-date=January 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111232635/https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/pub/89-28-0001/2018001/article/00004-eng.pdf%3Fst%3Da49Gcif_ |url-status=live}}</ref> A series of gang-related incidents in early 2009 escalated into what police have dubbed a [[2009 Vancouver gang war|gang war]]. Vancouver plays host to special events such as the [[Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation]] conference, the Clinton-Yeltsin Summit, or the [[Symphony of Fire]] fireworks show that require significant policing. The [[1994 Vancouver Stanley Cup riot|1994 Stanley Cup riot]] overwhelmed police and injured as many as 200 people.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9904E0D6163DF935A25755C0A962958260 |title=200 Injured In Vancouver |date=June 16, 1994 |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=July 14, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080316090306/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9904E0D6163DF935A25755C0A962958260 |archive-date=March 16, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> A [[2011 Vancouver Stanley Cup riot|second riot]] took place following the [[2011 Stanley Cup Finals]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Gallery-Shocking-scenes-from-the-Vancouver-Game?urn=nhl-wp7358 |title=Shocking scenes from the Vancouver Game 7 riots |date=June 16, 2011 |publisher=Yahoo! |access-date=June 16, 2011 |first=Greg |last=Wyshynski |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110618112638/http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Gallery-Shocking-scenes-from-the-Vancouver-Game?urn=nhl-wp7358 |archive-date=June 18, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> To reduce the public health risk from discarded hypodermic needles commonly found on downtown and the adjacent [[Downtown Eastside]] streets, the city runs a continuous collection effort, recovering approximately 1000 needles per day from public spaces.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bula |first=Frances |date=February 8, 2016 |title=Vancouver seeking new ways to tackle city's growing litter problem |work=[[The Globe and Mail]] |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/vancouver-seeking-new-ways-to-tackle-citys-growing-litter-problem/article28661084/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922122729/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/vancouver-seeking-new-ways-to-tackle-citys-growing-litter-problem/article28661084/ |archive-date=September 22, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Fayerman |first=Pamela |date=October 18, 2018 |title=Needles, needles everywhere. Ideas for ridding Vancouver of them? Not so many |work=[[Vancouver Sun]] |url=https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/needles-needles-everywhere-ideas-for-ridding-vancouver-of-them-not-so-many |url-status=live |access-date=January 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326150345/https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/needles-needles-everywhere-ideas-for-ridding-vancouver-of-them-not-so-many |archive-date=March 26, 2019}}</ref> According to [[Vancouver Coastal Health]], the regional health authority and a distributor of clean needles to intravenous drug users, there has never been a documented case of disease transmission from an accidental needlestick.<ref>{{cite web |title=Needle exchange & disposal |url=http://www.vch.ca/public-health/harm-reduction/needle-exchange |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017095743/http://www.vch.ca/public-health/harm-reduction/needle-exchange |archive-date=October 17, 2018 |access-date=January 25, 2019 |publisher=[[Vancouver Coastal Health]]}}</ref> ===Military=== [[Jericho Beach]] in Vancouver is the location of the headquarters of [[39 Canadian Brigade Group]] of the [[Canadian Army]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.army.gc.ca/lfwa/what_is_lfwa.asp |title=Land Force Western Area |publisher=National Defence Canada |date=August 12, 2008 |access-date=July 17, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090505214307/http://www.army.gc.ca/lfwa/what_is_lfwa.asp |archive-date=May 5, 2009}}</ref> Local primary reserve units include [[The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada]] and [[The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own)]], based at the [[Seaforth Armoury]] and the [[Beatty Street Drill Hall]], respectively, and the [[15th Field Artillery Regiment (Canada)|15th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.army.gc.ca/lfwa/units_city.asp |title=Land Force Western Area Units |publisher=National Defence Canada |date=September 30, 2009 |access-date=July 17, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090506110111/http://www.army.gc.ca/lfwa/units_city.asp |archive-date=May 6, 2009}}</ref> The Naval Reserve Unit {{HMCS|Discovery}} is based on [[Deadman's Island (Vancouver)|Deadman's Island]] in Stanley Park.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.forces.gc.ca/navres/1/1-n_eng.asp?category=106 |title=The Naval Reserve: Nearest Units |publisher=National Defence Canada |date=January 29, 2010 |access-date=July 17, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225100920/http://www.navy.forces.gc.ca/navres/1/1-n_eng.asp?category=106 |archive-date=February 25, 2009}}</ref> [[RCAF Station Jericho Beach]], the first air base in Western Canada, was taken over by the [[Canadian Army]] in 1947 when [[seaplanes]] were replaced by long-range aircraft. Most of the base facilities were transferred to the City of Vancouver in 1969, and the area was renamed "Jericho Park".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bcyuk.legion.ca/node/745 |title=Jericho Beach Flying Boat Station |publisher=Royal Canadian Legion, BC/Yukon Command |access-date=July 17, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706184233/http://www.bcyuk.legion.ca/node/745 |archive-date=July 6, 2011}}</ref> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here. You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see Christianpedia:Copyrights for details). Do not submit copyrighted work without permission! Cancel Editing help (opens in new window) Discuss this page