City building a safer, sustainable community, Richmond Mayor tells business leaders
26 February 2020
Public safety, a more environmentally sustainable community and a stronger economy are among the areas of focus for the City of Richmond moving forward, Mayor Malcolm Brodie told local business leaders in his Annual Address today.
Speaking at the annual Richmond Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Brodie outlined Council’s strategic plan as a “visionary agenda” and how it reflects “Council’s desire to provide proactive and forward-thinking leadership that recognizes Richmond’s unique identity and rich history.”
Among the initiatives outlined in his address was the commitment to an additional 51 RCMP officers over three years which is helping to ensure Richmond continues to have one of the lowest rates of violence and property crime in the region. The City is also taking proactive steps to combat money laundering through the sharing of information with government partners, a $10,000 limit on cash payments for taxes and fees, and specialized police resources.
The City is also pushing ahead with initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, eliminate plastic waste and protect residents against the impacts of global warming. “As Richmond City Council leads the challenge to become an even more sustainable and environmentally-conscious city, we are adopting many circular economy principles,” Brodie said.
Among the examples shared is an application to the Province to implement a ban on single use plastics that will remove 35 million items – or 650 tonnes – from the waste system, as well as the City’s award-winning electric vehicle infrastructure. Council is also investing over $16 million to raise and strengthen the 49 kilometres of dikes that surround the city, allowing for projected sea level increases over the coming century.
Brodie said the City’s economy continues to grow with permits for more than $980 million in construction projects issued over the past year. The City also handed over $29 million to TransLink for development of a new Canada Line station which will support further development in the rapidly-growing Capstan Village community.
“To accommodate the anticipated growth over the coming decades, we expect to consider more major projects in the City Centre,” Brodie said, pointing to the phased re-development of the 20 hectare Lansdowne Centre site and the opening of the City’s tenth licensed childcare facility as examples of future growth.
“Our many civic achievements during 2019 and expectations for the future will continue to improve the lives and affairs of our residents and businesses,” he said. “The City of Richmond has always been a leader with bold, innovative programs and strategies as we build a safe and resilient city for generations to come, and Council looks forward to another year of success and to working with all who live or work in our city.”
A full copy of the Mayor’s 2020 Annual Address can be found at: https://www.richmond.ca/cityhall/council/about/messages/annualaddress2020.htm