Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim is set to give an update Thursday morning about his efforts to get rid of the Park Board and transfer its responsibilities to city council.
Sim has scheduled a news conference for 9 a.m., with city staff expected to give an update on the transition process.
In December 2023, the Vancouver city council passed a motion asking the provincial government to dissolve the park board.
The park board has been challenging the move, voting to remain an elected body and preserve its own existence, in September.
In December of 2023, Vancouver city council approved a motion asking the provincial government to dissolve the Park Board and shift its responsibilities to the council.
In January of 2024, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim said the change was long overdue.
He said the elected 135-year-old Park Board has done “amazing work” and adds the transition has “nothing to do with the people or the love and care that they — the elected Park Board — show, we are talking about a broken city.”
“This move will bring Parks and Recreation under the direct oversight of city council. This aligns the management structure for our parks and recreation with how it’s done in literally every single city in Canada, and with the exception of Minneapolis, every single city in North America,” Sim said.
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