Dr. A.R. Lord Elementary is one of 12 schools being considered for closure.

The Vancouver School Board (VSB) has revealed the preliminary list of schools slated for closure. The VSB has agreed to close 12 schools, including Britannia Secondary and Dr. A.R. Lord Elementary, in exchange for seismic upgrading funding from the province.

These schools have a long history in our community, some, like Sir Guy Carleton in Vancouver-Kingsway, has been part of our city’s history for over 100 years. These schools are important public spaces, where we learn, meet, and play.

The targeted schools are under 95 per cent enrolment, an arbitrary capacity rate set by the provincial government. The 95% capacity standard leaves little space for extra rooms used for learning enrichment or community purposes, such as music rooms, learning assistance spaces, or childcare areas. Other jurisdictions, like Calgary, are moving towards an 80 per cent capacity standard, down from their current 85 per cent.

Closing schools based on a flawed utilization formula is short-sighted, and damaging to communities and neighbourhoods. Closing these schools will not fix the school board’s $18 million operating deficit, which is the direct
result of years of provincial under funding.

Reports on each school on the preliminary closure list will be presented to VSB trustees in September. I urge you to engage with the school board and the Ministry of Education as this process unfolds.

Email Minister Bernier directly at [email protected] . Please copy me on your email so that I can track it.

Thoughtful, consistent transit plan needed

Premier Clark’s recent transit announcement doesn’t commit to anything beyond the first phase of the mayors’ plan, leaving the future of the plan uncertain.

The premier is clearly hoping that her photo op with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will make people in Metro Vancouver forget the six years she has spent delaying needed transit investment.

While people across the region struggled with a deteriorating public transit system, Clark was sparring with mayors, passing the buck, and wasting years on her failed referendum.

After letting public transit in the Metro region sit in gridlock for six years, Clark jumped at a chance to make the bad headlines go away. She
did just enough to get a good photo op with the prime minister, but not nearly enough to show people in the region that she will stop playing political games with the public transit system that they rely on.

Congestion in the region is costing the B.C. economy more than a billion dollars a year – that’s why we need action, not posturing or photo-ops, from Clark’s government.

15th Sunrise Summer Kickoff kicks off July 9

The 15th annual Sunrise Summer Kickoff is coming up July 9, featuring street hockey, cultural shows, live music and dance performances, crafts, a carnival, a petting zoo, and more. I’ve had the pleasure of watching this event get bigger and better every year, and look forward to seeing you there this year.

Congratulations to the Hastings North Business Improvement Association and Hastings Sunrise Community Policing Centre on 15 years of hosting this wonderful community event.

Register to be an organ donor

Over 500 people are waiting for an organ transplant in B.C. today. A Kidney Foundation poll showed that while 95% of British Columbians support organ donation, only twenty per cent are registered organ donors. One donor can save up to eight lives.

To register your decision you need:
• your BC Personal Health Number
• your name, birth date, and address
• to be at least 19 years old – or have a guardian sign on a minor’s behalf
Register at https://register.transplant.bc.ca/

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