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Green Party

Climate Change

Active Transportation

Reduce the city’s default speed limit to 30 km/hour, (excluding arterials and thoroughfares)

to better facilitate active transportation on shared multimodal routes and facilitate a friendlier, safer public realm. Transition on all residential streets and select commercial high streets (especially those with expanded patios) to pedestrian first.

Expand bike share program to all areas of the city, starting with frequent transit corridors.
Improve, connect and complete Vancouver’s safe cycling networks & greenways.

Greens at City Council, Park Board, and School Board will work together to complete a safe, green active transportation network in Vancouver that connects safe cycling routes to schools, community centres, parks, transit, and employment areas.

Re-purpose 11% or more of neighbourhood streets for active transportation, amenities, and community use/benefits.

Electric Bikes & Scooters

Expand bike share programs to all areas of the city, starting with frequent transit corridors.

Energy-Efficient Buildings & Retrofits

Make retrofitting easier for building owners by collaborating with the Metro Vancouver Zero Emissions Innovation Center

to create resources such as how-to guides, comprehensive lists of grant and funding options, recognized/certified practitioners and trades companies.

Easier, faster permitting for new net-Zero Emissions Buildings.
Prohibit gas hookups in all new buildings including for cooking and fireplaces, not just for heating and hot water.
Move from “solar-ready” to “solar-required” in the City’s Building Code, where sunlight permits.
Pursue funding sources to help support energy retrofits of private buildings - such as Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing
Create easier, faster permitting processes for building retrofits that reduce GHGs,

 especially to net zero, including for removing gas heating and appliances and provide modified requirements for older character buildings.

Expand green roof options in the building code for single family and duplex-zoned areas

to absorb and reduce stormwater runoff and keep buildings cooler in the summers and warmer in winters.

Ramp up retrofits of all city-owned buildings to reduce emissions and save public money spent on energy.
Create safe havens in every neighbourhood for people to retreat to during extreme weather

 by retrofitting key public buildings with climate-smart heating and cooling systems (e.g., Seniors’ Centers, Family Places, Neighbourhood Houses).Include educational displays of how much energy is produced, GHGs reduced, and money saved on energy bills.

Green Space

Pursue an equitable distribution of parks and recreation sites across the city.
Expand city support for the Green Streets, Green Blocks, and neighbourhood green grants programs, that connect people with the environment.
Plant smarter for climate change.

Invest in rewilding and native plantings, enhance storm sewer infrastructure with blue-green networks and bioswales, and consider drought and storm resistant plantings.

Reallocate a minimum of 11 percent of neighbourhood streets from car to community use

and encourage residents to engage in the next phase of the Vancouver Plan, to have a say in how and where we can create more green spaces and mini-parks that support biodiversity, access to nature, and ecosystem restoration.

Strategically design parks for greater green space connectivity,

 to support an increase in biodiversity and create a connected network for everyday users.

Ensure development is contributing funds for new public parks and green spaces and pursue matching funding from senior governments.
Enhance access to all parks and recreation centres for visitors with diverse mobility needs, to support equal opportunity and access for all
INCREASE TREE CANOPY CITY-WIDE : to a minimum of 30% tree cover in every neighbourhood, as called for by the Parks Board,

Greens believe in the 3-30-300 rule for a healthier, greener city: every resident should be able to see a minimum of 3 trees from every home, enjoy 30 percent tree canopy cover in every neighbourhood and be within 300 metres of the nearest public park or green space. 30% is a minimum - we'll aim to match Metro Vancouver’s goal of 40% city-wide tree cover with tree species that excel at sequestering GHGs and can cope with changing climate.

Parking

Create a 5 minute city:

Where public amenities like daycares, schools, accessible public washrooms, parks and community centres, as well as locally owned shops, services, and daily needs are all within a five minute walk or roll of home or work.

Improve electric vehicle charging infrastructure

by ensuring charging stations are available at every City-owned public-use building, every destination park and all shopping districts.

Parking adds significantly to building costs and unaffordability of housing, Greens will remove parking minimums and add parking maximums.

Urban Heat

Create safe havens in every neighbourhood for people to retreat to during extreme weather

 by retrofitting key public buildings with climate-smart heating and cooling systems (e.g., Seniors’ Centers, Family Places, Neighbourhood Houses).Include educational displays of how much energy is produced, GHGs reduced, and money saved on energy bills.

INCREASE TREE CANOPY CITY-WIDE : to a minimum of 30% tree cover in every neighbourhood, as called for by the Parks Board,

Greens believe in the 3-30-300 rule for a healthier, greener city: every resident should be able to see a minimum of 3 trees from every home, enjoy 30 percent tree canopy cover in every neighbourhood and be within 300 metres of the nearest public park or green space. 30% is a minimum - we'll aim to match Metro Vancouver’s goal of 40% city-wide tree cover with tree species that excel at sequestering GHGs and can cope with changing climate.

Zoning

Diversify housing options. Zone for a wider variety of housing types in all neighbourhoods

including mid-rise apartments and missing middle typologies like rowhomes, townhomes, and infill.

Get more from the market. Increase inclusionary zoning to deliver city-owned affordable housing

as a greater proportion of built units and on more types and scales of housing, either on-site or cash in-lieu.

Zoning policies must accelerate development of affordable housing and community amenities.
Increase affordable, non-market housing zoning.

Expand pre-zoning for non-profit-owned, supportive, and co-op housing. Use rental-only zoning powers to increase the supply of affordable and market rental housing, and dampen speculation.

Housing & Homelessness

Affordability

Tie affordability to renter income, not market rents. Greens will define ‘affordable rent’ as 30% of median renter household income.
Get more from the market: Increase inclusionary zoning

to deliver city-owned affordable housing as a greater proportion of built units and on more types and scales of housing, either on-site or cash in-lieu.

Increase affordable, co-op and non-market zoning.

Expand pre-zoning for non-profit-owned, supportive, and co-op housing.

Set targets for non-market housing relative to need.

 Prioritize city-owned and city-built housing, co-ops, co-housing, supportive housing, non-profit-owned affordable rental, and affordable home ownership.

Increase availability of rentals.

Vancouver’s current vacancy rate is less than 1%. We will establish a target vacancy rate of 3% and prioritize purpose-built rental incentives and approvals to achieve it.

Building Maintenance & Occupant Health

Ensure tenant safety. Strengthen and more vigorously enforce the Standards of Maintenance Bylaw

so that buildings do not dangerously deteriorate, and the lives and safety of tenants are protected and prioritized.

Co-Op Housing

Immediately resolve co-op lease uncertainty.

 Resolve outstanding renewal of land leases for housing co-ops on city-owned lands, quickly and fairly.

Increase affordable, co-op and non-market zoning.

Expand pre-zoning for non-profit-owned, supportive, and co-op housing.

Maximize the use of city lands.

Use city lands to partner with senior governments, non-profits, and community land trusts to build non-profit, supportive, and co-op housing to meet our affordable housing targets.

Housing Accessibility

Meet diverse household requirements
. Target housing near public amenities including specific targets for Indigenous, accessible, family-sized, and senior housing.

Indigenous-Led Housing

Green Councillors fully supported and were inspired by the MST-led Heather lands rezoning.
Greens will work collaboratively to supply city services to the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nation’s Sen̓áḵw development on their reserve lands
Green Councillors look forward to receiving and supporting the proposal for the MST’s Jericho Lands.

Property Taxes

Zero-based budgeting requiring every City department to justify each line-item in their budget in terms of delivering on City priorities.
Making negotiations with developers for Community Amenity Contributions (CACs) more transparent to the public

including elements of developers’ Pro Formas, so people can be assured that the public receives a fair share of the developer’s profits (that result from city upzoning) to pay for amenities like affordable housing, libraries, childcare facilities, parks, arts and culture, and recreation centres.

Support the independence, integrity and funding of the new Auditor General Office.

Vancouver’s Auditor General Office will deliver on their first performance and financial audit later this year. Greens will support this work, and seek best value and efficiency for Vancouver tax payers.

Public Housing

Maximize the use of city lands.

Use city lands to partner with senior governments, non-profits, and community land trusts to build non-profit, supportive, and co-op housing to meet our affordable housing targets.

Build housing into City-owned buildings.

Co-locate affordable housing in new public buildings including libraries, fire halls and community facilities, but excluding park lands.

Ramp up the City’s development of City-owned housing.

Leverage funds from senior government and partner with non-profit agencies to accelerate City-funded, City-built housing on City-owned land. Prioritize affordable rentals and housing co-ops and focus on low-cost, zero-carbon, high-quality modular or prefab wood-frame construction.

Acquire more land for housing using right-of-first-refusal.

Purchase more properties to add to the Vancouver Affordable Housing Endowment Fund. Pursue with the province a right-of-first-refusal tool where the City has the first option to buy select lands under the same terms and conditions as an existing third-party offer.

Rent

Protect tenants in residential hotels.

Work with the provincial government to expedite the replacement of Single Room Accommodations (typically older residential hotels) while preventing the displacement of current SRA tenants by up-market conversions.

Ensure tenant safety.

Strengthen and more vigorously enforce the Standards of Maintenance Bylaw so that buildings do not dangerously deteriorate, and the lives and safety of tenants are protected and prioritized.

Protect affordability. Stabilize rents by limiting rent increases for units, not just tenants.
Close empty-homes tax and short-term rental loopholes.

Review and refine City policies like the Empty Homes Tax and Short-Term Rental bylaws to require clear data reporting. Remove Empty Homes Tax loopholes that allow landlords to avoid the tax by retaining one tenant in a cleared-out building.

Crack down on renovictions.

Support and expand the role of the Renter Office to cross-reference building and development permits to monitor and intervene on renovictions and other gaps in the province’s Residential Tenancy Act.

Tie affordability to renter income, not market rents. Greens will define ‘affordable rent’ as 30% of median renter household income.

Rental Stock

Maximize the use of city lands.

Use city lands to partner with senior governments, non-profits, and community land trusts to build non-profit, supportive, and co-op housing to meet our affordable housing targets.

Increase affordable, non-market housing zoning. Use rental-only zoning powers

 to increase the supply of affordable and market rental housing, and dampen speculation.

Implement a simple menu of repeatable building forms, from tiny homes to multifamily buildings.

 to fast-track permits, reduce costs and building times.

Ramp up the City’s development of City-owned housing.

Leverage funds from senior government and partner with non-profit agencies to accelerate City-funded, City-built housing on City-owned land. Prioritize affordable rentals and housing co-ops and focus on low-cost, zero-carbon, high-quality modular or prefab wood-frame construction.

Increase availability of rentals and establish a target vacancy rate of 3%.

 Vancouver’s current vacancy rate is less than 1%. We will establish a target vacancy rate of 3% and prioritize purpose-built rental incentives and approvals to achieve it.

SROs

Ensure tenant safety. Strengthen and more vigorously enforce the Standards of Maintenance Bylaw

so that buildings do not dangerously deteriorate, and the lives and safety of tenants are protected and prioritized.

Fast-track rapid shelter solutions like tiny home communities on empty lots to provide transitional housing with health supports

for people living in tents or unsafe SROs and shelters. This type of intervention has proven successful and is demonstrably safer than living in shelters, SROs, or tents and can provide a successful pathway to permanent and supportive housing. Inexpensive, quick-assembly, comfortable and locking units can be scaled to meet needs as an emergency response.

Protect tenants in residential hotels.

Work with the provincial government to expedite the replacement of Single Room Accommodations (typically older residential hotels) while preventing the displacement of current SRA tenants by up-market conversions.

Zoning

Diversify housing options. Zone for a wider variety of housing types in all neighbourhoods

including mid-rise apartments and missing middle typologies like rowhomes, townhomes, and infill.

Get more from the market. Increase inclusionary zoning to deliver city-owned affordable housing

as a greater proportion of built units and on more types and scales of housing, either on-site or cash in-lieu.

Zoning policies must accelerate development of affordable housing and community amenities.
Increase affordable, non-market housing zoning.

Expand pre-zoning for non-profit-owned, supportive, and co-op housing. Use rental-only zoning powers to increase the supply of affordable and market rental housing, and dampen speculation.

Public Spaces & Services

Green Space

Pursue an equitable distribution of parks and recreation sites across the city.
Expand city support for the Green Streets, Green Blocks, and neighbourhood green grants programs, that connect people with the environment.
Plant smarter for climate change.

Invest in rewilding and native plantings, enhance storm sewer infrastructure with blue-green networks and bioswales, and consider drought and storm resistant plantings.

Reallocate a minimum of 11 percent of neighbourhood streets from car to community use

and encourage residents to engage in the next phase of the Vancouver Plan, to have a say in how and where we can create more green spaces and mini-parks that support biodiversity, access to nature, and ecosystem restoration.

Strategically design parks for greater green space connectivity,

 to support an increase in biodiversity and create a connected network for everyday users.

Ensure development is contributing funds for new public parks and green spaces and pursue matching funding from senior governments.
Enhance access to all parks and recreation centres for visitors with diverse mobility needs, to support equal opportunity and access for all
INCREASE TREE CANOPY CITY-WIDE : to a minimum of 30% tree cover in every neighbourhood, as called for by the Parks Board,

Greens believe in the 3-30-300 rule for a healthier, greener city: every resident should be able to see a minimum of 3 trees from every home, enjoy 30 percent tree canopy cover in every neighbourhood and be within 300 metres of the nearest public park or green space. 30% is a minimum - we'll aim to match Metro Vancouver’s goal of 40% city-wide tree cover with tree species that excel at sequestering GHGs and can cope with changing climate.

Zoning

Diversify housing options. Zone for a wider variety of housing types in all neighbourhoods

including mid-rise apartments and missing middle typologies like rowhomes, townhomes, and infill.

Get more from the market. Increase inclusionary zoning to deliver city-owned affordable housing

as a greater proportion of built units and on more types and scales of housing, either on-site or cash in-lieu.

Zoning policies must accelerate development of affordable housing and community amenities.
Increase affordable, non-market housing zoning.

Expand pre-zoning for non-profit-owned, supportive, and co-op housing. Use rental-only zoning powers to increase the supply of affordable and market rental housing, and dampen speculation.

Reconciliation & Indigenous Nations

Indigenous-Led Housing

Green Councillors fully supported and were inspired by the MST-led Heather lands rezoning.
Greens will work collaboratively to supply city services to the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nation’s Sen̓áḵw development on their reserve lands
Green Councillors look forward to receiving and supporting the proposal for the MST’s Jericho Lands.

Transit & Getting Around

Active Transportation

Reduce the city’s default speed limit to 30 km/hour, (excluding arterials and thoroughfares)

to better facilitate active transportation on shared multimodal routes and facilitate a friendlier, safer public realm. Transition on all residential streets and select commercial high streets (especially those with expanded patios) to pedestrian first.

Expand bike share program to all areas of the city, starting with frequent transit corridors.
Improve, connect and complete Vancouver’s safe cycling networks & greenways.

Greens at City Council, Park Board, and School Board will work together to complete a safe, green active transportation network in Vancouver that connects safe cycling routes to schools, community centres, parks, transit, and employment areas.

Re-purpose 11% or more of neighbourhood streets for active transportation, amenities, and community use/benefits.

Electric Bikes & Scooters

Expand bike share programs to all areas of the city, starting with frequent transit corridors.

Parking

Create a 5 minute city:

Where public amenities like daycares, schools, accessible public washrooms, parks and community centres, as well as locally owned shops, services, and daily needs are all within a five minute walk or roll of home or work.

Improve electric vehicle charging infrastructure

by ensuring charging stations are available at every City-owned public-use building, every destination park and all shopping districts.

Parking adds significantly to building costs and unaffordability of housing, Greens will remove parking minimums and add parking maximums.


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