Month: July 2018

Richmond News

Richmond’s energy initiatives are being recognized for a 12th time after the city received a recent Public Sector Leadership Award.

Given at the International District Energy Association (IDEA) annual conference and trade show, the award recognizes Richmond’s “commitment and vision in advancing deployment of district energy systems in the city” and its use of district energy systems to mitigate climate change.

“District energy infrastructure is an important component of our community strategy to enhance efficiency and resiliency while cutting greenhouse gas emissions,” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie in a press release. …

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Richmond News

Dear Editor,

Re: “Seniors stranded as sidewalks blocked,” Letters, July 12.

I’m writing in response to the concerns expressed in a letter to the editor about pedestrian access in the City Centre neighbourhood around Buswell, Cook and Park roads.

I want to thank this reader for bringing his concerns to our attention. We are directly following up on the matter to ensure we are doing all we can to address the concerns expressed and ensure reasonable access is provided to pedestrians and others travelling within the neighbourhood.

Residents who have similar concerns in this neighbourhood or elsewhere in the city are welcome to call our 24-hour Public Works Dispatch line at 604-270-8721 or use the Feedback form available on the city’s website and the MyRichmond portal.

The City of Richmond understands the frustration over the disruptions being experienced in the area, which are partly related to demolition and construction activities related to the development of a new Brighouse bus loop.

When completed, this project will provide significant benefits to our city through improved transit service to and from our City Centre, which ultimately will also relieve traffic congestion throughout Richmond and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. …

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Cision

Two of Canada’s largest food retailers have joined with local and provincial governments and agencies to launch a national Love Food Hate Waste campaign today, which aims to change Canadians’ behaviours around food and dramatically reduce the significant amount of food wasted across the country every day.

Canadians are among the worst of the developed nations when it comes to food waste, with about 47 percent of food waste occurring in the home. More than 60 percent of the food Canadians throw away could have been eaten, costing the average Canadian household more than $1,100 per year. In all, 2.2 million tonnes of edible food is thrown out annually, contributing to Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions as well as wasting the resources needed to produce and distribute food to consumers.

“The Love Food Hate Waste campaign is desperately needed to tackle food waste across the country,” said Malcolm Brodie, Chair of the National Zero Waste Council. “The campaign is the first coordinated national approach to help Canadians change their relationship with food. It only takes a small change, such as buying only what we need so food doesn’t spoil or get forgotten in the back of the fridge and is then thrown out.” …

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Richmond News

Ahead of October’s municipal election, one slate is calling for increased conflict of interest rules while some candidates say the matter is already firmly dealt with.

Last week, Richmond Citizens Association issued a press release arguing that Richmond’s city council has currently been conducting “closed-door deals and negotiations that benefit big-money donors.” …

However, Mayor Malcolm Brodie, who is running for re-election this October said he does not see conflict of interest as an issue on city council currently.

“We have very clear rules about conflict of interest and I believe they are being adhered to,” Brodie said, explaining that councillors “occasionally” declare they have a conflict of interest, vacate the room during that particular discussion and abstain from voting. …

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The Province

A battle over marijuana cultivation on protected B.C. farmland has riled up a group of Richmond farmers and pro-marijuana advocates who say farmers should be allowed to grow weed when it becomes a legal crop.

Fearing an explosion of industrial-scale marijuana production, the staunchly anti-pot Richmond city council has banned construction of concrete-floor greenhouses on farms.

“Everybody sees cannabis as some kind of pot of gold right now,” Mayor Malcolm Brodie told me Monday.

“We’re talking about the threat of huge concrete bunkers that could degrade perfectly good farmland in a way that it will never go back to soil-based farming.” …

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Richmond News

Canadian and international music icons Lights and Magic! will headline the 4th annual Richmond World Festival on Labour Day weekend.

The City of Richmond’s award-winning festival will once again present a free smorgasbord of music, arts, food and culture from around the globe on Friday, Aug. 31 and Saturday, Sept. 1 in Richmond’s Minoru Park. …

“Richmond is recognized internationally as a model for cultural diversity and harmony,” said Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie.

“The Richmond World Festival celebrates that diversity and we’re excited to present a stellar line-up of music, food and the arts that showcases our many cultures, our community and Canada at their best.” …

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Richmond News

For Richmond residents who are experiencing financial hardship, the city is now stepping in with Richmond Community Associations and Societies to further subsidize recreation passes. …

“We are confident that the updated Recreation Fee Subsidy Program will help to remove financial barriers and provide more opportunities for Richmond residents of all ages to access Richmond’s excellent system of programs, services and public spaces,” says Mayor Malcolm Brodie in a press release. …

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The Toronto Star

Has the City of Surrey outgrown the RCMP? Surrey Coun. Tom Gill wants an answer.

Gill, also a mayoral candidate, will be introducing a motion in council next week calling for a third-party review of policing options for his city, which currently has no municipal police force. …

Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie told StarMetro his council’s particular issues with RCMP enforcement stemmed from being cut out of decisions made by RCMP brass in Ottawa which directly impacted his community. His experience of the work of the officers actually responsible for policing his community, on the other hand, had been excellent. …

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Richmond News

More frequent rush hour buses are on the way in Richmond, after the completion of TransLink’s Southwest Area Transport Plan (SWATP).

The 403 bus – No. 3 Road/Bridgeport Station – will increase service to every 10-15 minutes during weekday a.m. and p.m. peak periods to reduce overcrowding. …

“This plan charts a clear course for investments to improve and enhance every part of our transportation network,” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie in a statement.

“The success of our city is closely tied to the ease with which residents and goods can get around, and this puts us on a strong path.”

Richmond News

Thirty-seven new childcare spaces are coming to Richmond, as a new children’s centre opens in Coevorden Castle.

The Gardens Children’s Centre hosted its official opening ceremony on Friday and will provide care for infants, toddlers and children up to five years old.

“The City is pleased to open a new child care facility to serve families, especially those who live and work in the East Richmond and Shellmont area,” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie in a press release.

“Our Council recognizes the importance of supporting the needs of Richmond families, which includes creating child care spaces for young children that support their development and growth. The City continues to be a municipal leader in creating child care spaces for children up to twelve years of age, and is committed to being an active partner with senior governments, parents, the private sector and not-for-profit agencies to develop and maintain a comprehensive child care system in Richmond.” …

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