Who’s Involved

The Vancouver Agreement (VA) has achieved unique partnerships among governments, community organizations and the private sector. The extensive dialogue that takes place within these relationships generates new ideas and approaches to address long-standing problems.

Government

The federal government department responsible for the VA is Western Economic Diversification Canada. The Ministry of Community & Rural Development is responsible provincially and the City Manager’s Office is responsible for the City of Vancouver.

Numerous ministries, departments and public agencies representing each government partner have participated in the VA during the past decade. Federal partners have included the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation. Provincial partners have included BC Housing, the Ministry of Housing and Social Development, Ministry of Labour, and Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation. Within the City of Vancouver, several departments have been active partners such as the Vancouver Police Department, Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, Drug Policy, Planning, Licences and Inspections, and the Housing Centre.

Nationally, the VA had a partnership with the Institute of Public Administrators of Canada to participate in a Chilean project on Public Sector Capacity Building.

Community Agencies

Although some community agencies and organizations participated in the planning of VA activities such as the Task Team for Youth and the Task Team for Women, the greatest role for community agencies continues to be implementing activities directed at improving conditions in the inner city. More than 25 community organizations have implemented innovative and exciting approaches to inner-city change.

Eastside Movement for Business and Economic Renewal Society (EMBERS), Building opportunities with Business Inner City Society (BOB), and United We Can are key partners in achieving the Economic Revitalization Strategic Initiative. The Children of the Street Society was active in the Safety & Security Strategic Initiative and the Watari Research Association in Housing. Women’s Information Safe Haven (WISH), Prostitution Alternatives Counselling & Education Society (PACE), and the BC Coalition of Experiential Women have worked with the VA to improve the lives of marginalized residents in the DTES, directed at the Health & Quality of Life strategic initiative.

Private Sector

The private sector partners have played a significant role in supporting the VA and providing a connection to the business community.

Early in the VA, Bell Canada contributed $1.5 million towards economic revitalization in the DTES. Vancity provided funding for a social partnership venture. The Gastown, Strathcona and Chinatown Business Improvement Associations continue to partner with the VA to develop innovative approaches to the economic issues in their business districts. Hastings North Business Improvement Association was a leader in establishing a community dialogue on the interface between business, residents and sex workers. Central City Mission Foundation supported a child care centre for vulnerable children and a much-needed treatment centre for youth with mental illness and addictions.

For more information click on the following links: Government of Canada, Government of British Columbia, City of Vancouver, Community Agencies and Private Sector Partners.