The Government of Canada is making investments in British Columbia to refresh public spaces, attract new visitors, and stimulate local economies
Safe and inclusive public spaces and dynamic tourism attractions are key to building vibrant communities. They bring together people of all ages and abilities, supporting businesses and boosting economic vitality. Vancouver is welcoming residents and visitors to new and improved public spaces and tourism experiences that stimulate the local economy and enhance community wellness.
Today, Taleeb Noormohamed, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Granville, on behalf of the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan), announced over $2.4 million in PacifiCan funding for nine projects in Vancouver. This includes over $1.7 million for five projects through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund and $709,998 for four projects through the Tourism Relief Fund.
MP Noormohamed made the announcement while visiting a plaza created by the City of Vancouver. The City is receiving a total of $721,085 for two community-focused initiatives, including $525,000 to help upgrade temporary plazas and parklets into long-term community hubs across the city for residents and visitors to enjoy. Initially created during the pandemic to offer more outdoor space to eat, rest, socialize and participate in neighbourhood activities, these plazas and parklets have become well-loved community spaces. They support vibrant public life and offer dignified gathering spaces for some of the City's most marginalized residents.
In Vancouver's Grandview-Woodland neighbourhood, $196,085 was used to create an accessible walking and cycling route with added green space and green rainwater infrastructure. The new green infrastructure uses trees, plants and soil to help absorb heavy rainfall and provides a habitat for different species. This space will help create a lively place for people to gather, driving more foot traffic to local businesses.
For the full list of projects, please see backgrounder here.
These investments are expected to create more than 80 new jobs and attract over 67,000 new local, national and international visitors to Vancouver.
