Jeff Kuah: Vancouver is plagued by big city problems

    1 of 1 2 of 1

      Mayoral candidate Jeff Kuah on his plans for the future of Vancouver
       

      Vancouver is a great city. After living here for over a decade, I have come to understand what being a Vancouverite means. I have seen how the proud Canadian motto of multiculturalism and not assimilation has been brought to life.

      Despite being a world-class metropolitan city where people are more inclined to move to the suburbs, Vancouver is a desirable urban area to live in, offering its citizens advantages not usually associated with large metropolitan cities. Our unmatched green space, Stanley Park, situated in the heart of Vancouver, is a prime example, where regulars walk along the seawall after dinner, families have picnics under the trees, and tourists take pictures at every available opportunity, all in perfect harmony.

      Unfortunately this picture of Vancouver is fading under our past and present city hall leadership. Over the past years, Vancouver has been plagued with the rather common problems with big cities: crime, unemployment, lack of affordable housing, and reliable transportation infrastructure.

      There is a huge discrepancy between what we, Vancouverites, need in terms of adequate crime prevention and law enforcement and what we are currently getting. The result? A massive drug trade rivaling those found in major U.S. cities, and incredible gang activity and violence, which was the cause of several recent homicides--until recently, unheard of in Vancouver.

      When I lived in the Downtown Eastside, I found that I could not trust the Vancouver Police to come to the aid of a seemingly unimportant call about drug activities. Their reason? They did not have enough resources to deploy help.

      Recently, news stories of deaths of innocent bystanders uninvolved with gangs have made me, and no doubt everyone else in the city, afraid. The shooting at the Oakridge Shopping Mall was appalling for me as I came to realize that these criminal acts that were supposedly unknown to our well-off neighborhoods have now crept in to include them as well.

      I ask then, when will the civic politicians of Vancouver enable the police to combat this festering problem? We need a Vancouver where there are not only low taxes or beautiful parks; we need a city where residents feel that they are able to walk down the street without getting shot by a stray bullet.

      Finally, affordable housing and an efficient transportation system is lacking in Vancouver. Over the past two decades, what with Vancouver growing into such a beautiful cosmopolitan city, living here comfortably is a luxury and takes considerable effort. This does not mean beautiful houses. It means that Vancouverites can live in the city where they work without having to move away to the suburbs because housing is just too expensive and getting around the city is just too much of a hassle. Vancouver’s transit system is in its infancy and thus needs a comprehensive review and long range funding. Currently, funding is an issue which translates to inadequate services and long waiting times.

      There are far too many reasons why Vancouver needs a state of the art transportation system. For some reason, city planners and the current administration have neglected this crucial aspect of our city. It does not appear that money has been raised or the appropriate discussions have been entered with the provincial and federal government for funding. Not only do we need to have a more efficient transportation system for the convenience of our residents and our guests during the 2010 Olympic Games; for the sake of our environment, it is an opportunity for us to set an example for the rest of the world.

      I want to bring together a Vancouver where residents can not only work, but also enjoy the lifestyles of comfort and ease not found in other large cities. As mayor, I propose to increase funding for law enforcement to provide Vancouver with the much needed safety, more affordable housing for those that need it to end homelessness, a better transportation infrastructure and the idea such as the one mentioned in my platform--Seamless-Transfer Transit Pass in collaboration with ICBC--and finally a special employment program under the Vancouver mayor’s office.

       
      How would you reshape your municipality? The Georgia Straight is publishing articles on its Web site from mayoral candidates in Metro Vancouver. For more information, e-mail webeditor@straight.com.

      Comments