Vancouver Park Board dissolution still planned, but timing uncertain | Daily Hive

Vancouver Park Board dissolution still being considered by B.C. government, but timing uncertain

Vancouver Park Board Transition Work Group press conference on January 25, 2024. (Kenneth Chan)

The controversial transition to dissolve the elected body of Vancouver Park Board commissioners has been delayed, with the Government of British Columbia opting not to introduce the necessary legislative amendments during the Spring 2025 session of the legislature, which ended May 29.

While there is a delay, both the municipal and provincial governments have made statements expressing a commitment to the transition.

Upon inquiry by Daily Hive Urbanized, staff of the City of Vancouver confirmed on Friday they will perform a short-term pause on planning the transition, but reiterated their ongoing commitment to consolidating the Park Board’ governance over Vancouver’s parks and recreation system under the Mayor’s Office and Vancouver City Council, and the day-to-day responsibilities under City departments.

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Such changes requiring amendments to provincial legislation — specifically the Vancouver Charter that governs how the City of Vancouver operates — had been expected this spring, following Premier David Eby’s previous pledges in March 2024 to introduce the changes in the “next legislative session” after the October 2024 provincial election.

“The provincial government has reaffirmed its intention to implement the proposed legislative changes at a future date. At this time, we have not received a confirmed timeline, but remain committed to sharing any updates as soon as further information becomes available,” the City told Daily Hive Urbanized.

“In light of this, additional operational planning related to the governance transition has been paused in the short term. Owing to the significant planning the City has undertaken to date, we are poised to realize the benefits of consolidation once the legislative changes are enacted.”

During a press conference in November 2024, the Mayor joined ABC city councillors, City staff, and First Nations leaders in announcing that they have completed the preliminary transition plan, which addresses the provincial government’s three key considerations of addressing the future of parkland ownership and existing Park Board staff, and consulting with First Nations.

At the time of the press conference, City staff had already indicated that they are unable to advance any further on the planning work, as the Park Board commissioners have banned Park Board staff from engaging with the City on the abolition and transition.

In March 2024, all three local First Nations — Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh — jointly sent a letter to the provincial government expressing their support for the Mayor’s plan.

However, it comes with the major condition that the Vancouver Charter be also amended to align with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the requirements of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, which likely greatly adds to the complexity of the legislative amendments. This was a request initiated by the Squamish Nation, and it remains to be seen how such changes would impact the future governance and operations of the City of Vancouver.

Mayor Ken Sim — who has led the push to dissolve the separately elected Park Board since first announcing the proposal in December 2023 and has expended significant political capital in advancing the plan — expressed frustration over the delay and urged the provincial government to fulfill its commitment during the next legislative session, scheduled for October and November 2025.

“The City of Vancouver is expecting the Premier to follow through on his public commitment to transition the elected Park Board into the City,” Sim told Daily Hive Urbanized upon inquiry on Friday.

“While we are frustrated at yet another delay, we remain fully committed to achieving efficient and effective oversight of our parks and recreation facilities.”

Sim reiterated that Vancouver is the only municipal government in Canada with a separately elected Park Board — a model he says leads to duplication, inefficiencies, and slower response to community needs. He asserts the move will also result in major cost savings for the municipal government.

“Vancouver, like the rest of Canada, is facing tough economic times and giving the City the ability to streamline governance while gaining significant financial savings is key to weathering these uncertain times,” continued Sim.

“Vancouverites deserve world-class parks and facilities and this transition will deliver just that. It is beyond disappointing that the Province did not take action in May as they committed to, so we call on the Premier to commit to the transition of the elected Park Board as early possible in the Fall sitting.”

In response to an inquiry by Daily Hive Urbanized on Friday, B.C. Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs Ravi Kahlon said the provincial government had to prioritize economic matters this spring.

Without providing a timeline, the Minister also noted that the provincial government will continue to work with the municipal government on the proposed legislative amendments.

“We know how important it is for local governments to have all the tools they need to provide the good value and good governance that people deserve. During the spring session, we prioritized legislation to secure our economy in the face of Trump’s unjustified tariff threats,” Kahlon told Daily Hive Urbanized.

“We will continue to work with the City regarding their request,” the Minister continued.

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