They just killed Chinatown with Bill 47
Premier Eby and Housing Minister Kahlon voted to decimate Chinatown with more 105 Keefers
Bill 47 was voted in today. Premier David Eby and Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon unilaterally upzoned most of Chinatown.
They did pass amendment passed to allow for heritage area exemption, but here’s the catch:
Chinatown only has heritage designation for a single street — Pender St. The DTES and Strathcona do not have heritage area designations.
You ask: Well can’t they just designate the rest of Chinatown as heritage area so it can be protected? Nope, any heritage areas designated after the legislation passing today will not be exempted. Provincial legislation will trump any municipal zoning bylaws.
This means more condo towers like 105 Keefer will now permitted across Chinatown, DTES, and Strathcona.
All our efforts cancelling the condo upzoning of Chinatown in 2017-2018 has now been eliminated by this provincial government.
Generations have fought for Chinatown to survive despite multiple threats throughout the century, including anti-Asian riots, a freeway, condo upzoning, and the pandemic. But Eby and Kahlon have decimated Chinatown through this bill.
Send Eby and Kahlon a message now to show your disappointment in their decision:
You can also respond to their post here.
If the button doesn’t work, you can follow the instructions below.
Email Instructions
TO: premier@gov.bc.ca, HOUS.minister@gov.bc.ca, HOUS.DMO@gov.bc.ca, George.Chow.MLA@leg.bc.ca, SDPR.Minister@gov.bc.ca, david.eby.MLA@leg.bc.ca, Ravi.Kahlon.MLA@leg.bc.ca, sheila.malcolmson.MLA@leg.bc.ca, MUNI.Minister@gov.bc.ca, Joan.Phillip.MLA@leg.bc.ca
BCC: savechinatownheritage@gmail.com
SUBJECT: [Write your own subject line]
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To Premier Eby, Minister Kahlon and BC MLAs,
I'm deeply disheartened that you chose to destroy Chinatown.
Most of Chinatown, Strathcona, and DTES are not protected by heritage designation.
Your upzoning of these neighbourhoods will inflate land values, gentrify, and economically displace low-income residents, cultural businesses and organizations, and heritage assets.
Chinatown remains to this day because generations have fought for it to survive, but your decision today will decimate it. I am disappointed in your government and will remember your decision when I vote.