The Vancouver Park Board’s future rests in the hands of voters in the city, according to a ruling from the B.C. Ministry of Housing.
We reported on the last major development on Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim’s hopes of dissolving the Park Board back in March of this year.
The B.C. government opted not to introduce the necessary legislative amendments during the Spring 2025 session of the legislature, which ended May 29.
However, B.C. Minister of Housing Christine Boyle has now announced that a referendum will take place to decide the future of the Park Board.
“Government is proposing amendments to the Vancouver Charter that will provide authority to Vancouver City Council to dissolve the park board by bylaw if a majority of eligible voters in the city approve the dissolution through an assent vote. This will ensure Vancouver residents have a direct say in the future governance of Vancouver parks,” the ministry said in a release.
“To strengthen protection for permanent parks, the legislation would require a unanimous vote of Vancouver council, along with an assent vote, for removing a permanent park designation. As requested by the city, permanent parkland being transferred to First Nations would be exempt from the assent vote.”
The ministry’s statement said that the City would decide if and when to hold the vote.
Sim issued a statement in response to the Province’s decision.
“We appreciate Minister Boyle’s decision to move forward with legislation this fall that would enable the City of Vancouver to transition the elected Park Board under the oversight of City Council, following a positive outcome from a public referendum,” he said.
Sim added, “While we review the final details of the legislation and determine timing and next steps, we are hopeful that this announcement finally provides the clarity and direction needed to move this process forward.”
Sim’s statement also included a reminder, saying, “transitioning the elected Park Board under City Council would save taxpayers a minimum of $70 million over the next decade.”
“Our goal has always been to provide the world-class parks and recreation facilities that Vancouverites deserve. Our parks are the heart of our city, and we are excited to potentially bring forward a new era for parks and recreation,” Sim said.
Do you feel like a referendum was the right way forward?
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With files from Kenneth Chan