On Friday July 25th, Save Vancouver Streets filed a notice of appeal of a trial court decision that kicked a popular local initiative off the ballot in the City of Vancouver.  The initiative would have required a popular vote for any project that closed an existing lane of traffic for use by transit, pedestrians or bicycles.  The appeal will be filed in the division two court of appeals and, if successful, the initiative could be placed on the ballot at a future election.

Save Vancouver Streets collected over 6,500 signatures in support of the initiative. They presented the certified initiative to the City Council as required in the Vancouver City Charter.  While the city claimed the initiative was legally invalid, there are examples, such as Rental Housing Association v. Federal Way, where the Court of Appeals specifically stated that only a judicial body, not a city attorney, could review legal validity. 

Save Vancouver Streets, respecting the will of over 6,500 residents of the City of Vancouver, has decided that the City Council has left us no choice but to proceed with this appeal.  It is fundamentally wrong for the City Council to choose to ignore the voices of residents and their desire to have a say.

We need to raise approximately $30,000 and cannot do it without your support. Please consider donating at -https://www.savevancouverstreets.com/giving-page 

If you would like more information or to support the appeal effort you can email us at savevancouverstreets.com or follow our updates at savevancouverstreets.com or our Facebook page - Save Vancouver Streets.