Neighbourhood Resiliency

Our community has seen unprecedented challenges as a result of this pandemic, but we have also seen unprecedented levels of community spirit, hope, civic engagement, and generosity. Together we can leverage this moment to connect, and create more neighborhood resiliency. Fundamental to deepening our resiliency is supporting our local shops, restaurants, and service providers.

The City has been quick to adapt, and identify new opportunities. Staff have completed their work with businesses to create and expedited, temporary outdoor dining application, and next week they will bring forward a bylaw that will allow for the consumption of alcohol in some public places, such as parks. A significant portion of people in our City live in multi-family buildings. To them, parks are more precious now than ever before. This summer I want our parks to feel like an extension of people's own backyards.

Our community’s health is influenced by social and environmental factors, such as the neighborhoods we live in, shops and services, parks, public art, open space, and our connection to one another. As we begin the next phase of these unprecedented times, our community’s green space will be where we come together while distancing, and stay healthy.

The City is home to more than 50 parks. Each have their own character and offer a different experience for people. Now is the time to make the most of these spaces so that we can be together as a community in a way that allows us to distance and stay safe. Whether you are lounging and enjoying take-out, running the track, enjoying our public art, or skate boarding, parks are the collective spaces that will support us. The City's interactive public art map is a great way to discover public art in the City.

All people and businesses want to see BC reopen safely and successfully. Physical distancing must continue to keep residents and workers safe, but it will have a profound impact on a business’s ability to reopen and keep up with costs.

Through the round table discussions I’ve had, it’s become clear that we need to make changes quickly to support the food and beverage sector.

Staff are now developing a flexible and expedited outdoor dining process to allow retail, restaurants, craft breweries and pubs to expand on a temporary basis into public space while respecting the need for safe pedestrian movement.

People need safe ways to socialize and make most of the summer months. The City is committed to supporting residents and assisting business find innovative ways to operate and build consumer trust.

As we look at re-opening spaces in our community, it’s important we continue to hope, inspire, and create connections with each other. It’s been just over 100 days since the first case of COVID-19 was reported in BC, and we have seen unprecedented levels of community spirit as we all raised to the challenges brought on by this virus.

Health is more than being free of illness. It’s about our education, sense of belonging, civic engagement, and so much more. As we come to end of this beginning, and start our recovery, let’s not lose our community spirit. From the hardship, let us leverage a more connected, vibrant, supportive community. Our health is reliant on it.

Housing, and access to housing, is fundamental in creating healthy communities. Long before COVID-19, we were living in the most intense housing affordability crisis in this region’s history. I’ve met countless people who are anxious to find a place they can live within our community, for their aging parents, their children, or themselves. Construction is an essential service. In the City it’s important to our local economy directly employing thousands of people, many whom are residents, and who spend their dollars at local businesses. This week at Council staff outlined a path forward given the powers granted to us from the Province during this time so we can continue to deliver the much needed housing across our community.

The public input we receive in public hearings and public meetings is important. The Province is expected to make an announcement in the coming weeks to allow municipalities to solicit community input in new ways so that we can move forward with projects while still engaging with residents. This pandemic has allowed us to find new ways to engage, reduce conflict, increase engagement, and build community.

Delivering a spectrum of housing options is a priority for Council, as outlined in our strategic plan. I’m proud of the work being done at all levels of government and city staff to support all people and deliver on the services and infrastructure needed in our community.

COVID-19 presents new challenges for our community every day. While the health and safety of all people is always our top priority, how we respond is always changing. At Monday’s council meeting, council received an update on the COVID-19 response.

In a very short period of time there has been extraordinary effort by City staff, NS Emergency Management office, RCMP, NV Fire Department, non-profits and community organizations to manage the immediate health impact, respond to social needs, and long term impacts. I want to reassure our community that we have a robust network of partnerships that are working together so that we can respond quickly.

Our strengths as a community will give us the ability to serve all people and put us on a strong footing as we begin our recovery. City residents are doing a great job adhering to the directions by Dr. Bonnie Henry of physical distancing. I am asking that you continue to do so. I am proud of how our community has come together during these difficult times. People will always be the heart of the City of North Vancouver.

I want to again thank our essential service workers. They are our teachers, Early Childhood Educators, nurses and grocery store cashiers to name a few. They are all essential, and many require public transportation to get to their jobs.

Public transit supports all people, the economy, and our environment. Transit is deemed an essential service by the Province because of how critical it is in keeping our communities moving, especially in times of crisis. TransLink has adjusted services to accommodate decreased ridership during the pandemic, but to serve essential service workers, they have maintained as much service as possible. This has resulted in a monthly loss of $75 million for TransLink. We urgently need emergency relief funding from the Federal and Provincial Governments.

We need to work together now on securing emergency relief funding so that essential service workers are able to get to work, and so that when we enter the recovery stage we have a maintained system that we can ramp back up to its previous capacity. We’ve made significant progress over the years. We cannot let this pandemic push us backwards.

This weekend has significant meaning for many different cultures and religions across our community, and indeed across the globe. Like many of you, this would usually be a time when my family comes together to celebrate. But these are not usual times. This weekend we need to find new ways to connect that allow us to partake in important festivities, while respecting the orders from our Provincial Health Officer. I understand this will be difficult for all people. With the forecast calling for sun and blue skies, it will be tempting to bend the rules. But we need to stay 100 per cent committed. Minister of Health Adrian Dix said it the best: bend the curve not the rules.

To the children in our community, I’m happy to confirm that the Easter Bunny is considered an essential service worker and will still be making the rounds in the community. I’ve spoken with the Easter Bunny and have confirmed she will respect the 2 meter distancing measure. This weekend help make our city a little more vibrant by filling your window with festive Easter crafts. Together we can find ways to make the days a little brighter.

This week, Council held its first ever virtual meeting where I delivered an update about our commitment to protecting the health and safety of residents. At this time, our sole focus is COVID-19 and essential business operations. We have directed staff to review the 2020 Financial Plan and scale back as much as possible. We've also established a Financial Recovery Task Force with the purpose of understanding the impact of the pandemic on the organization.

As well, two important proclamations were made at this week’s Council meeting: Health Care, Public Safety & Essential Workers Appreciation Month and Do Something Good for Your Neighbour Day. Read more about them below.

Now more than ever it’s important we find ways to connect and support each other, while practicing social distancing. I’m so impressed by all the ways residents of the City of North Vancouver have made our community a friendly, vibrant place despite these challenging times.

I encourage everyone to find one way to celebrate the workers who are making personal sacrifices to keep our community moving, care for us if we’re ill, and deliver services we rely on. At 7pm each night, take a step on to your patio, porch, balcony, or front steps to applaud and thank these essential healthcare service workers. They hear you and are grateful.

The health and safety of residents continues to be my top priority, and I will work closely with senior levels of government to ensure we are implementing all necessary measures. Listening to the orders given by Dr. Bonnie Henry is not optional, they will keep us and our loved ones safe.

These are stressful and unprecedented times, and we are taking the necessary and important steps to help contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Our top priority is to protect the health and safety of all residents. We will continue to work with provincial and federal partners and implement their advice. Below is important information to help you stay safe:

TRAVEL
• Avoid all travel outside of the country. If you're returning from abroad, self-isolate for 14 days.
• If you're travelling on BC Ferries, you may stay in your vehicle on all car decks.

HYGIENE
• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water.
• Sneeze or cough into a tissue or your elbow.

SOCIAL DISTANCING
• Gatherings of more than 50 people are not permitted.
• Wherever possible, conduct meetings by phone or video.

HEALTH CARE
• Long term care facilities are open to essential visitors only. Phone, rather than visiting.
• Pharmacies may refill prescriptions without a physicians note. At this time there is no risk of shortages.
• Hospitals are postponing all non-urgent procedures.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
• Service Canada phone line for EI claims related to quarantine, illness, and work closures due to COVID-19: 1-833-381-2725.
• A new multi-language information phone line is available: 1-888-COVID19 (1-888-268-4319).