Vancouver Council heard from over 200 speakers before ultimately voting to freeze the police budget for 2021, setting the stage for a standoff with the Police Board.

Kennedy Stewart is also chalking up some wins with his decriminalization motion and increase to the Empty Homes Tax.

CANADALAND exposed a sweet deal between UBC and Postmedia and the NPA’s board is back in the news.

Ian talks a bit about the latest study from his workplace, the BC Humanist Association, on prayers at municipal councils and the Park Board releases a survey showing strong support more space for bicycles and pedestrians in the park.

And the District of North Vancouver almost made Christmas even more dark this year.

Image credit: Flickr/British Columbia Emergency Photography

* Vancouver Budget 

* Justin McElroy budget highlights

* Budget highlights from Christine Boyle

* Live budget debate thread Justin McElroy 

* Vancouver police board approves $6.4 million increase to VPD budget

* Vancouver Won’t Increase Police Budget, But Balks at Defunding

* City of Vancouver freezes police department funding as part of 2021 budget

* Vancouver police chief ‘disappointed’ city budget includes freeze on police funding

* Council targets New Westminster police for 0% budget increase in 2021

* Vancouver council unanimously supports motion to decriminalize drug possession

* Vancouver raising empty homes tax to 3% in 2021 (from 1.25%)

* Vancouver Papers Sold News Coverage To UBC, Documents Reveal  

* Dan Fumano: Lawyer says new role with NPA unrelated to lawsuit against Green councillor

* The Duty of Neutrality Beyond Saguenay – British Columbia Humanist Association

* Atheist group claims Christian-based prayer at inaugural Vancouver Island council meetings violates court ruling

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