The World Cup may be temporary. The need for supports isn’t. Expanded respite space for the unhoused is welcome, but also highlights what communities have been asking for all along: access to washrooms, cooling and warming spaces, and basic supports every day. And housing.

"Mexican barrio"? Hadn't heard of it until asked. I’m for highlighting local businesses & cultures. But, the issue isn’t highlighting. It’s hiding homelessness through street sweeps so tourists feel more comfortable. Housing and supports, not displacement, are the solution.

“Climate change isn’t coming, it’s here.” Today, Amanda Burrows, Executive Director, and Dr. Sarah Marsden, Director of Systems Change and Legal, spoke at City Council in favour of City Staff’s recommendation to give effect to the right to cool. This was a report on the motion put forward by Councillor Lucy Maloney and Councillor Sean Orr back in November. We’re thankful that Council unanimously voted to amend bylaws so that landlords can no longer restrict tenants from using portable cooling devices. This comes as we’re approaching the 5-year anniversary of the 2021 heat dome in which 117 people in Vancouver died from extreme heat. This is just the first step for the City when it comes to responding to extreme heat and climate change, but it is a very crucial step. ☀️❄️

Hey New York, what's it like to have an inspiring and competent mayor?

I’m glad that FIFA decided to reverse this policy and allow water bottles to be brought into World Cup games. No one should have to fear being priced out of being hydrated, especially fans who are often waiting for hours before a game in extreme heat.

Hunter Biden giving Vancouver a shoutout is exactly the morale boost I needed today after just hearing FIFA won’t let fans bring their own water bottles into our matches.

I love Canada. I especially love Vancouver.

Our city is getting hotter. Renters shouldn't have to negotiate with their landlords or fear eviction to install an air conditioner. Vancouver makes it clear that landlords can't ban cooling devices. This will improve and save lives. A great win for renters!

NEW from City Hall: The motion from Councillor @SeanOrr on getting a low-income transit pass has passed unanimously.

A win! Council unanimously supports cooling rights for renters in Vancouver by ensuring landlords can’t ban cooling devices. Thank you to @Lucyincanada & @seanorr for your leadership on this and for recognizing @FirstUnitedDTES for our work. This will save lives.

We want to be inspired by our elected leaders. We want to trust that they will lead and solve problems with integrity. Vancouver deserves better.

Who (or what) are our sidewalks for? The question isn’t whether delivery robots are innovative. It’s who our public spaces are built for. We spent decades building cities for cars. Looks like we're now at risk for building sidewalks for business.

Mega-events come and go. The real question is what people experience while they’re here and what remains when they’re gone. Grateful to join the season finale of This is VANCOLOUR to talk FIFA World Cup™️, human rights, and legacy. And yes, I finally got my mug. @vancolour ♥️

This is upsetting. People are dying from poisoned drugs. Overdose prevention sites save lives.

A total pleasure to close this season of the @vancolour show with @BurrowsAmanda on the theme of FIFA #vanpoli #bcpoli #vanre

This is VANCOLOUR Thursday • 9pm @CHEK_News 📺 It’s our season finale! 🎉 👉 What summer activities could accidentally make you a criminal? ☀️ (@IRPlawyer) 👉 Will the FIFA World Cup leave Vancouver with a legacy… or just a big bill? ⚽️ (@BurrowsAmanda & @Ayan604)

This is more than skylines and architecture. It’s about who benefits. I support density. But once height becomes entitlement instead of exception, landowners get enormous increases in value while it gets harder to secure affordable housing & public amenities from these towers

As Vancouver prepares for FIFA, the Human Rights Action Plan is finally released. The real test won’t only be the language in the plan. It will be implementation and what unhoused residents actually experience on the ground. globalnews.ca/video/11863032…

Violence against sex workers is still real. So hearing Vancouver safety roles described as unnecessary is concerning when those roles were created because women were going missing and being murdered. Timing makes it worse too with the World Cup descending on us.

BIG news out of Kitchener-Waterloo: the Ontario Superior Court has ruled that homelessness is an analogous ground for discrimination under s.15 of the Charter. This is a BIG step toward recognizing homeless people as an equity-seeking group under the law. Governments take note!