Vancouver City Councillor proposes permanent love locks location

One City Councillor wants to unlock the potential for a permanent Love Locks location in Vancouver.

The City of Vancouver has an aversion for the popular imported romantic tradition that has driven local couples to attach padlocks to bridges or fences as a public symbol of their commitment and affection. Love locks have been quite popular in Europe since the mid-2000s.

The Pont Des Arts bridge in Paris is one of the most famous spots in the world, to the point that the weight of the locks caused a section of the railing to collapse just last month.

Vancouver lovers have had their hearts broken twice before, as the first attempt for a love locks location on the Burrard Bridge got shut down in 2013. A short-lived attempt at a second spot on the Northeast side of False Creek was also taken down earlier this year.

NPA City Councillor George Affleck says that it is time for Vancouver to lock up an official permanent spot for the symbolic immortalization of love.

“The love locks in the city have happened organically and spontaneously so I think there’s definitely a desire to have a permanent location in Vancouver,” Affleck told Vancity Buzz.

He will be taking his proposal to the next council meeting and is prepared to ask staff for recommendations on a permanent location.

Affleck notes that these sorts of quirky features greatly add to tourism and believes that continuing to tear them down is counterproductive to breaking the ‘No Fun City’ stereotype that plagues Vancouver.

“I’m hoping to find support for this motion to say that Vancouver is a compassionate city and we do want people to express themselves in this way,” Affleck added.

Featured Image: Kenneth Chan/Vancity Buzz