OneCity Announces its Plan for a Vibrant City That's Hot, Fun, & Cool

VANCOUVER (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and səlilwətaɬ Territories) – OneCity today released A Vibrant City That's Hot, Fun, & Cool, the party's plan to make it easier to find something to do, somewhere to gather, and a way to make a living from the things Vancouverites create.

Vancouver has been called "No Fun City" for years. Four years of ABC austerity and distracted political stunts have only caused communities to fall further behind. Our treasured venues have closed, arts and community grants shrank and neighbours are told the answer to their good ideas is a permit they can't figure out how to get. OneCity doesn’t believe Vancouver is a no fun city, we just have elected officials who aren’t fun.

"OneCity believes in the brilliance of our neighbours. Ken Sim and ABC don’t," said Jarrett Hagglund, OneCity Council Candidate. "Our teams across Council, Park, and School Boards will strengthen key communities, make libraries the cornerstone of our civic life, and empower our neighbours to have their voices heard and have more fun on their blocks.” 

We will Strengthen Key Communities: 

• Revitalize Chinatown Plaza as a Cultural Hub – OneCity will give the Chinatown Advisory Committee a funded mandate to breathe new life into the Plaza with cultural programming, new businesses, restaurants, and pop-ups, and safety for neighbours.

• Rebuild & Revitalize Hogan’s Alley – OneCity will prioritize securing funding with higher-level governments to remove the viaducts and redevelop Hogan’s Alley, delivering new housing, culturally appropriate public spaces, and community benefits, led by the community.

Make Libraries the Cornerstone of Our Civic Life Again: 

• Vancouver Library Card Plus+ – OneCity will propose Vancouver Library Card Plus+, a reimagination of the former Vancouver Inspiration Pass, so you can access free or low-cost cultural events, recreation opportunities, public programs, digital tools, and community spaces with your VPL library card, preloaded.

• Community in Every Neighbourhood – OneCity will make Vancouver Public Library the anchor of a citywide third-space revival with two new libraries, renewing three aging branches, expanded community programming, and fund the VPL’s Facilities Master Plan so that every neighbourhood has access to community programming and learning.

Give Neighbourhoods a Seat at the Table & the Chance to Have Fun: 

• Community Choice Funds – OneCity will create a Community Choice Fund that gives residents, neighbourhoods, and community organizations direct access to funding for local projects they want to implement and city staff expertise to make it happen.

• Block Party in a Box & Play Streets – OneCity will make it easier, cheaper, and faster to throw a block party or celebration with your neighbours, and create an easy way to block off your street so your kids can safely play street hockey for an hour or two.

A truly vibrant city can’t stand in the way of practical solutions to challenges everyone faces. We’ll cut the red tape so you can thrive in Vancouver. Not just survive. 

And, Legalize Bodega Cats & Seabus Dogs:

• Allow Well Behaved Dogs on Transit – OneCity will champion an off-peak, leashed dog pilot on Skytrains and Seabuses, with clear behavior rules, designated boarding areas, and retained operator discretion. If it works, we’ll work to expand it. 

• Corner store Cats – OneCity will propose a certified “Working Cat program” and work with Vancouver Coastal Health to model proven approaches to having vaccinated bodega cats in small shops across the city to provide chemical-free pest control and a genuine piece of neighbourhood life across the city. 

Last month, OneCity announced its Backstage Pass, the party’s Arts and Culture Action Plan. Today’s announcement to build a Vibrant City includes additional plans to give street performers a fair shot and extend late night rules across the city. 

• Bring Art to the Streets – OneCity will simplify performance rules and expand permit free locations for buskers so more artists can get their start in more areas of the city. 

• Enable the Nighttime Economy – OneCity will simplify Vancouver’s late night rules and trust responsible businesses to stay open late so artists can make the most of every gig.

Media Contact:
Giovanna Orecchio, Campaign Director
media@onecityvancouver.ca

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