Category: In the News

CBC News

A Richmond, B.C., councillor says he’s disappointed with the province’s move to suspend a supportive housing proposal in the Metro Vancouver city.

Kash Heed said the decision to pause the six-storey housing project at Cambie Road and Sexsmith Road was politically motivated, with the move coming a month-and-a-half before the provincial election.

The project, which has faced pushback from nearby Richmond residents over public safety, would have provided up to 90 studios for those experiencing homelessness near Aberdeen Centre.

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon announced Friday that the province will suspend work on the project and “hear from the community and reassess our options.” …

Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie said the city wants to support unhoused residents any way they can, and that assumptions that the site would be a “drug den” were off the mark in many ways.

“There’s all kinds of issues involving the people who are without a home,” he said. “But if we don’t assist them in some way, it doesn’t mean they’re going to go away. It means that they’re going to be out on the street, or in some kind of unstable situation.

“Is it easier to deal with someone when they have a basic roof over their head? Or is it better to deal with them when they are in far more desperate circumstances and unsatisfactory situations?” …

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Richmond News

Richmond has excluded 11 Burkeville properties from massive densification imposed by provincial legislation, but the province is pressuring them to allow up to eight-storey buildings on these single-family properties.

Provincial legislation requires rezoning to allow densification of single-family neighbourhoods in all municipalities, with higher densification near rapid transit. …

Richmond city council will consider sending a letter to the province to explain the area is not suitable as a transit-oriented area. This is on council’s committee agenda on Sept. 3.

“The way I look at it is very simple. The provincial government brought in the legislation and the regulations. The province can make exceptions to that where the situation dictates,” said Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie. …

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Richmond News

The Ministry of Housing is suspending a proposed supportive housing project in Richmond.

A six-storey building was to be constructed on city-owned land at the corner of Sexsmith and Cambie Roads with 90 studio apartments for people experiencing homelessness and the ongoing housing crisis in B.C. …

The province sent out a press release about the project suspension; however, when asked by the News about it, Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie hadn’t been apprised of the announcement.

Brodie said city council will have to sit with the Ministry of Housing to discuss further actions after this announcement was made.

“We need support from the provincial government because they are to pay the operating capital costs,” said Brodie.

“But we also need to know the long run situation and how they see it and what their objectives are and where the city fits into that.” …

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Construction Business

BC Hydro will build approximately $250 million worth of capital projects in Richmond over the next decade to upgrade and expand the electricity grid to provide clean power for homes, businesses and transportation.

“We must build out B.C.’s electrical system like never before to power our homes and businesses, to power a growing economy and to power our future,” said Josie Osborne, minister of energy, mines and low carbon innovation. “Throughout Richmond, and in communities across B.C., these construction projects will create thousands of good jobs over the next decade and ensure that people have access to clean, affordable and reliable electricity, when they need it and where they need it.” …

“The City of Richmond is recognized as a climate-action leader through our commitment to sustainable energy and reducing the reliance on fossil fuels. Investments such as this support our initiatives to encourage clean energy and move us closer to our goal of achieving net-zero emissions in the community by 2050,” said Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie. …

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Richmond News

More improvements are coming to Minoru Park and both the federal and provincial governments are helping pay for the $2.4 million project.

A new stormwater detention pond, improved ditches and a recirculating pump and a wet well will be built in the park to improve the stormwater management system for increased storage and treatment.

“The improvements will help maintain cleaner waterways, minimize the risk of flooding and enhance pathway connections around the lake, while promoting safety and comfort for visitors, fostering community connections to nature, and preserving local ecosystems,” a joint statement from all three levels of government explained.

The federal government is putting about $959,000 into the project with the province contributing about $799,000.

The City of Richmond originally allocated $1.35 million, but its contribution to the project is now about $640,000.

The lakes were originally built in the 1970s, but water system failures resulted in poor water quality, frequent maintenance and water leakage, according to the City of Richmond.

“For over four decades, Minoru Lakes Park has been an important and popular location for residents and visitors to enjoy nature in the middle of our growing city,” said Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie in a news release.

“This infrastructure funding has helped to support upgrades to make the park and lake an even more inviting location that is welcoming to people of all ages.” …

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BC Gov News

People in Richmond will be better served by a collaborative approach to complex social challenges in order to deliver faster access to services for individuals at risk of harm or victimization.

Safe community situation tables gather front-line workers from the public safety, health and social-service sectors to identify high-risk individuals and rapidly connect them to services and supports they need, before they experience a negative or traumatic event.

“Safe community situation tables ensure that people remain our focus as we work to build safer, stronger communities,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “By combining front-line workers’ expertise, the tables enhance our capacity to respond to community safety challenges, keeping people safe by swiftly connecting individuals to essential services.” …

Malcolm Brodie, mayor of Richmond –

“The Richmond safe community situation table will further support the work of the city’s front-line service providers to identify vulnerable people and families at risk of harm or victimization. This multi-agency collaboration will strengthen the sharing of information and the use of multi-agency wraparound services to assist those dealing with issues, such as mental health, substance use and violence.” …

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Infrastructure Canada

Members of the media are invited to an infrastructure announcement with Wilson Miao, Member of Parliament for Richmond Centre, the Honourable Anne Kang, Minister of Municipal Affairs, and His Worship, Malcolm Brodie, Mayor of the City of Richmond.

Date: Thursday, August 22, 2024
Time: 10:00 a.m. PT
Location: Minoru Lakes, located on the north side of Minoru Park, off Westminster Hwy and Bowling Green Road Richmond, B.C. V6Y 4G2

BC Gov News

BC Hydro will build approximately $250 million worth of capital projects in Richmond over the next decade to upgrade and expand the electricity grid to provide clean power for homes, businesses and transportation.

“We must build out B.C.’s electrical system like never before to power our homes and businesses, to power a growing economy and to power our future,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. “Throughout Richmond, and in communities across B.C., these construction projects will create thousands of good jobs over the next decade and ensure that people have access to clean, affordable and reliable electricity, when they need it and where they need it.” …

Malcolm Brodie, mayor of Richmond –

“The City of Richmond is recognized as a climate-action leader through our commitment to sustainable energy and reducing the reliance on fossil fuels. Investments such as this support our initiatives to encourage clean energy and move us closer to our goal of achieving net-zero emissions in the community by 2050.” …

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Richmond News

A 230,000-square-foot Coca-Cola distribution centre that moves 100,000 cases of Coke a day has officially opened in east Richmond.

On Wednesday, Coca-Cola Canada Bottling and City of Richmond staff attended the sales, warehouse and distribution facility’s opening. In attendance were also Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie and Coca-Cola Bottling COO Mark Scholtes.

The distribution facility at 8040 Zylmans Way is the company’s largest facility in Canada, and supplies thousands of customers across the Lower Mainland and all of Coke’s distribution centres across the province. …

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Richmond News

A crowd of a few hundred people gathered in the Aberdeen neighbourhood on Saturday to voice their opposition to a proposed supportive building that’s being characterized as a “drug den.”

Posters circulating on social media, with messaging in both English and Chinese, have used images of people using drugs, insinuating what a proposed 90-unit BC Housing building will bring to the neighbourhood. …

Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie told the News there could be some community impacts from the new building, but the impacts could be worse if they don’t have housing.

“Keep in mind, alternatively for these folks… is literally the street,” he said.

People who are homeless or at risk of homelessness have the best chance to “get back to a better situation” if they have adequate housing and a neighbourhood, he said. …

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