UBC president Stephen Toope and Mayor Gregor Robertson sign partnership agreement

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      UBC president Stephen Toope and Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson have announced a multiyear collaboration to try to develop a green economy and advance sustainability.

      They were joined by Vancouver park board chair Aaron Jasper and 10 UBC students at a signing ceremony today (May 11) at Vancouver City Hall.

      As part of the deal, UBC is providing grants to the students to each work on one of the long-term goals in the city's action plan for becoming the greenest city in the world by 2020.

      Toope declared that UBC is interested in "partnering with forward-thinking organizations like the City of Vancouver".

      The announcement came less than two weeks after the B.C. Liberals introduced legislation removing UBC's Point Grey campus land-use planning from Metro Vancouver's jurisdiction.

      Bill 20 (the Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act) transfers this authority to the Ministry of Community and Rural Development. The campus is in Premier Gordon Campbell's Point Grey constituency.

      Last year, Toope claimed that Metro Vancouver was attacking UBC's academic freedom by regulating land use on campus.

      When the Georgia Straight asked Robertson what he thought of Metro Vancouver losing control over land-use planning at the Point Grey campus, he replied: "It's hopefully more productive and constructive than these recent years where there's been some strain between UBC and Metro Vancouver."

      Robertson described this as a "challenging arrangement", and refused to criticize any role UBC might have played in its dispute with the regional government.

      "Hopefully, this next iteration is even more constructive and we see the university able to thrive and good solid land-use policy and the best outcomes for all," Robertson added.

      Toope stated he wanted to reassure anyone who might be skeptical on the basis of what's happened in the past. He also promised "widespread consultation" on land-use planning.

      "I think it's a huge opportunity for the region to take a leap forward in terms of our sustainability," he said.

      Comments

      1 Comments

      Gordy Roberts

      May 12, 2010 at 12:18pm

      Does Gregor even have the slightest clue as to how expensive all of his Green ideas will be and why they're simply not feasible nor sensible? Geez, when are we going to get a real mayor and not this Greenpeace placard bearer.