The Insiders
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Oct
31
Metro Vancouver Supports UBC Farm
Posted by: Neal Yonson | October 31, 2008 | 6 Comments
This morning the Metro Vancouver Board voted 30-0 in favour of a motion to send a letter to the UBC Board of Governors in support of preserving the UBC Farm at 24 hectares.
The Metro Vancouver Board is comprised of representatives from the 21 municipalities in the Vancouver area (Vancouver, Richmond, Maple Ridge, etc.) and is responsible for delivering essential services and managing development growth and green spaces. UBC is not a municipality, but is a part of Electoral Area A, which has a representative on the Board.
The discussion lasted hours and partially turned into an NPA vs. Vision Vancouver debate (two of the political parties in the City of Vancouver). NPA councilors wanted to dodge taking a stand on the Farm since it would have been politically damaging for them to vote against the Farm during an election. They tried to refer the issue to the UBC/Metro Vancouver Joint Committee, but that failed. Then they tried to amend the motion and water it down, but that also failed. When the roll call vote came, all councilors voted in favour of the motion.
This vote is significant. The fact that Metro Vancouver had to intervene in the development affairs of UBC raised broader questions about how UBC is being governed. Metro Vancouver’s heightened awareness of development issues at UBC will only intensify if the UBC Board of Governors doesn’t take their request seriously.
Comments
6 Comments so far
YaY!
The result is good, but the path is wrong. Why do we have majors from Anmore, Coquitlam and West Vancouver deciding the fate over a chunk of UBC lands?
It be interesting to see the legal and political recourse of such a move.
Sounds like roll call votes work after all.
Just saying.
Why are majors from Anmore, Coquitlam and West Vancouver deciding the fate of UBC Lands? Because UBC doesn’t have any choice. Getting amalgamated into the City of Vancouver could increase taxes if the mill rates are higher there.
It will also require setting up a new police department within UBC’s lands, and the effective shutting-down of the RCMP detachment, UBC Parking, Plant Ops and otherwise. It also means UBC will have a whole different group of people to turn to when issues of governance arise, and may require having another ward represented on council.
Hang on… maybe this isn’t such a bad thing.
ben west cares a great deal for the UBC farm and he is running to represent electoral area A on the board.
anyone eligible to vote should feel free to have a look at his propaganda
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wDGvlmzqZ4
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