NPA and Vision Vancouver promise freebies in chase for votes

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      Vision Vancouver and the Non-Partisan Association both issued campaign promises to reduce costs for residents today, with Mayor Gregor Robertson pledging free swimming lesson access for children, and mayoral candidate Kirk LaPointe proposing free Sunday parking.

      As part of its “affordability agenda” released today (October 8), Vision Vancouver pledged 4,000 new rental housing units over four years, 1,000 new child-care spaces, and the “first course free” for children’s beginner swimming lessons.

      Vision also promised to implement a requirement for new housing developments to include a minimum of 35 percent family housing, and to empower Vancouver's affordable housing agency to use city-owned land for new housing.

      NPA mayoral candidate Kirk LaPointe announced his party’s plan to make metered street parking free on Sundays and statutory holidays outside the downtown core.

      The NPA is also proposing that parking meters across the city be in effect until 8 p.m. instead of 10 p.m.

      LaPointe said the extended metered parking hours “have stuck” after being implemented for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

      Comments

      6 Comments

      Kiskatinawkid

      Oct 8, 2014 at 6:33pm

      Living in the south Granville area I can tell you the last thing we need is more cars driving into the area for a 'freebie'. How about a cut in transit fares (across the board) instead and leave the pay parking as is!

      cosmicsync

      Oct 8, 2014 at 8:08pm

      Interesting contrast between who Vision and the NPA appear to be appealing to. Vision is almost stealing Christy Clark's "Families First" mantra with free swimming lessons and new child care spaces, while Lapoint is courting the car crowd.

      The NPA again seems to be taking the same approach Ford did in Toronto - appealing to people commuting in from surrounding cities, pledging to reclaim valuable asphalt for drivers. Difference is, the folks in Etobicoke get to vote for Toronto's mayor. People in Surrey don't get to vote for Vancouver's.

      That's not to say Vancouver residents won't benefit from free parking at 8:00 pm as well, but I never drive my car further in to the downtown core if I'm going out for the night. I live close enough that I can realisticly take transit or a cab.

      Vision's pledge for rental housing units addresses an issue people who actually live in Vancouver care about. I think that's the smarter strategy.

      Aye Captain

      Oct 9, 2014 at 9:03am

      Go Kirk! Free parking on Sunday would be great for businesses.

      GZLFB

      Oct 10, 2014 at 1:16am

      Here I thought vote buying was illegal.

      James Blatchford

      Oct 10, 2014 at 4:59am

      Captain Kirk's interview on Global was as dull and dour as 7am audit meeting. Promoting FREE anything should have some sizzle. Did someone forget to plug Mr. LaPointe's personality meter?

      OMG

      Oct 10, 2014 at 11:55am

      I noticed today that all of the papers published a report on last nights mayoral debate. Will TGS be publishing something about it?