At the behest of Jean Swanson and Pete Fry, Vancouver declares a homelessness emergency in what was described as a watered down motion that lacks clear targets. Nevertheless the motion maintained a call for vacancy control, so we break down what that is and why some oppose the measure.

Vancouver Rape Relief, long criticized for its refusal to serve trans woman, has permanently lost funding from the City of Vancouver. The debates led to a cringeworthy moment as Councillor Colleen Hardwick asked the head of the City’s LGBTQ2S+ Advisory Committee what sex they were assigned at birth (she later apologized for the question).

Ken Sim, who came within 1000 votes of becoming mayor, wants another crack at it and he may launch a new party to do it.

Indigenous youth occupied East Vancouver MLA Melanie Mark’s office and secured a meeting with her over the ongoing Wet’suwet’en/Coastal GasLink standoff. Nevertheless, there’s been a spate of serious anti-Indigenous racist violence in Vancouver.

Surrey is a step closer to replacing the RCMP with a municipal force as Wally Oppal signs off on the city’s plan and sets the stage for the creation of a Surrey Police Board. Will the city use this opportunity to create a truly responsive community police force or will it simply replicate the institutional structures that are widely criticized in other municipalities.

And pigeons are back in the news in the District of North Vancouver as the council receives an independent report on the topic and a majority of councillors express their willingness to reconsider the ban on keeping pigeons in your backyard.

Finally, our Vancouveratta looks at how False Creek was filled in and one of the few times the City wasn’t as racist as it could’ve been.

Image: Jean Swanson stands in front of a novelty “Jeanex” rally in Shaugnessy Park in 2018, by Ian Bushfield

Links

* Vancouver council declares homelessness emergency, allowing for “targeted” vacancy-control recommendations – Read the original Motion (pdf) (before amendments)

* Vancouver councillor focus of criticism after asking controversial question about gender identity

* Ken Sim wants to run again for Vancouver mayor

* Indigenous youths occupy office and secure meeting with Advanced Education Minister Melanie Mark

* Allies need to speak up to address rise in anti-Indigenous racism and violence, advocates say

* Surrey Police will replace RCMP, government confirms

* North Van councillors to reconsider pigeon ban amid conflict of interest allegations – independent report (pdf)

* Vancouveratta: This Week in History: 1912 — The...