Hey, there’s an election on – and those interested in urban issues, like the Council for Canadian Urbanism, have tried to make their voices heard. Here’s another: the Canadian Issues Task Force (CITF) of the International Downtown Association.
Charles Gauthier, the Executive Director of the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association (DVBIA), is an active member, and he helped draft their white paper on a national strategy for Canada’s Downtown. Since then, it’s become a Declaration.
Here are the key points, somewhat edited, sent to the parties, in the hope that it may make a difference.
DOWNTOWN DECLARATION – A NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR CANADA’S DOWNTOWNS
1. Create a Ministry of State for Downtowns/Urban Centres.
There is no federal ministry focusing on coordinating municipal issues of urban development, transit, sustainability, infrastructure funding, housing and addictions/mental health, public safety, and crime in urban areas
2. Support a research fund for an annual or biannual research report to track the health, well-being and prosperity of Canada’s Downtowns. “An Annual Report Card on the state of Downtowns”.
3. A commitment from the Government of Canada to work with the provinces and municipalities to assist in funding initiatives (including tax incentives) …
4. Federal funding and grant eligibility for Business Improvements Initiatives….
5. Respond to specific criminal code and criminal justice system concerns of the downtown cores with research, policy and new legislation where appropriate.
