Looking After Vancouver

Standing in front of Science World, I’m reminded of how much Vancouver has built over the years, and how important it is to take care of it. From our roads and sidewalks to our pools, parks, and community centres, these are things Vancouver residents rely on every day. But too many of them are showing their age, and we haven’t been keeping up with the repairs.

The City’s own figures tell a troubling story. Vancouver has an estimated $500 million annual shortfall in funding to maintain and renew its existing infrastructure. That’s money needed to keep what we already own in good condition, before we even consider building anything new. The City’s Auditor General has also found serious shortcomings in how our recreation facilities are maintained, with many building systems operating well beyond their intended lifespan.

Meanwhile, Vancouver property taxes have increased by about 24% since 2023. Residents are paying considerably more, yet we’re still falling behind on the maintenance of the facilities and infrastructure their taxes help support. And the longer we put off necessary repairs, the more expensive those repairs can become.

I’m not against building new facilities or investing in Vancouver’s future. But we need to be responsible with the money we already collect. That means making maintenance a priority, following through on the Auditor General’s recommendations, and making sure Council can show residents exactly what their money is accomplishing.

Vancouver has spent generations building the city we enjoy today. We owe it to ourselves, and to the generations that follow, to look after it properly.