Canada lost an inspiring voice last week with the death of Toronto resident and urban visionary Jane Jacobs. The greatest tribute to her would be to continue her work in our own city””which she also loved.

She spoke strongly in favour of the trial allocation of two lanes on Burrard Bridge for bicycles and other sustainable forms of transportation. Her arguments were read by her son, Ned, to Vancouver city council last December as they tried to kill the idea.

She also was firmly against the destructive plan to double the Port Mann Bridge and increase the highway lanes coming into Vancouver.

Jane Jacobs gave her last public statement just days before she died. “I wish to convey my support and admiration for the people of West Vancouver who are sacrificing their time, energy, and possibly even their freedom to preserve and protect the magnificent and irreplaceable Eagleridge Bluffs and Larson Creek wetlands from this destructive, ill-conceived scheme.” 

Let's hope that our present Vancouver city council and Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon and the Liberal government will eventually listen to her wisdom. Talk about a life well-lived! She's certainly an inspiration to us all! Thank you, Jane...

> Mary Sherlock / Vancouver