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Vancouver city council votes in support of downtown New Year's Eve party
Debating the idea of a New Year's Eve party for the downtown core, councillors cited the relative lack of problems that characterized crowds during the 2010 Olympics.
Travis Lupick
Vancouver city council has voted unanimously in support of a motion of notice proposing a New Year’s Eve celebration for the downtown core.
Several councillors spoke in favour of the idea.
Vision Vancouver councillor Heather Deal said that there has been talk of a “lively” New Year’s event for the downtown core for two years. And Non-Partisan Association councillor Elizabeth Ball argued that the 2010 Winter Olympics demonstrated that people can “party together responsibly.”
The provincial government has hosted a “family friendly” New Year’s Eve celebration at Robson Square since 2009, though that event has always ended before midnight.
The motion was put forward by NPA councillor George Affleck and seconded by Ball.
Having passed, city staff will contact the provincial government and explore possibilities for collaborations on the proposed event. They will then report back to Vancouver city council on “options and opportunities, including potential partners…and potential risks to hold a safe and friendly celebration on New Year’s Eve in downtown Vancouver.”
Regarding the actual content of this article, I think it's great that a fantastic city like Vancouver is finally coming back to a NYE cultural event idea. Almost every other major city does it, and I remember quite enjoying them and watching the fireworks when they still happened here. Should also be a great opportunity to showcase local talent and build a positive sense of community. Kudos to all of council.
Good luck with the "safe and friendly." I guess a stabbing or two or a beer bottle to the skull here and there can't really outweigh the juicy opportunity for Telus and Kokanee and other festival-funding corporations to encrust the street with logos and advertising and booths offering phone plans and credit card sign-ups.
Labeling Canadians like were the worst people on the planet meanwhile wars and soccer riots that kill tons of people are happening. Cool Story James, no one cares about you.