Vancouver councillor seeks to further equity strategy following office closure

A Vancouver city councillor has put forward a motion for the city to recommit to its equity mandate after the closure of its Equity Office last month.

A Vancouver city councillor is hoping the city “keeps its promise” to adhere to equity and inclusion guidelines following the closure of an office tasked with doing so.

On Wednesday, Coun. Rebecca Bligh is tabling a motion called, “Ensuring Continuity of the Women’s Equity Strategy Following the Closure of the Equity Office.”

The strategy has been in place since 2018 and guides policy, workplace culture and service delivery at the city.

According to Bligh’s motion, it focuses on five areas including accessible, quality childcare, safe and affordable housing, and addressing safety concerns and violence against women.

The motion comes as staff have been directed to find around $120 million in savings following Mayor Ken Sim’s ‘Zero Means Zero’ motion.

In September, the city closed its Equity Office, stating it believed it was more effective to embed its EDI (equity, diversity, and inclusion) into the city’s operation departments.

‘Everybody feels safe’

Bligh said she wanted to bring her motion forward to ensure the Women’s Equity Strategy did not get lost following the closure of the office.

“Much of the women’s equity strategy is about how we’re building the safe spaces in the city for women,” she said.

“Recognizing women at risk who may need transition housing or different types of shelter supports, low-income women and families that need a specific, front-line service.”

Bligh said the city made a commitment through the Women’s Equity Strategy and it needs to follow through on it.

“This motion is being brought forward that in the face of the closure of the equity office, Vancouver keeps its promise to Vancouver,” she said.

“If we build a city where women and gender-diverse folks feel safe, we build a city where everybody feels safe.”

‘Chopping block’

If passed, it directs staff to create a report that identifies gaps or risks due to the closure of the Equity Office, as well as progress on the implementation of the strategy.

Clara Prager, manager of civic engagement and advocacy, with Women Transforming Cities, said the motion is coming in the context of an austerity budget from city council.

“We know that when governments cut spending, equity and initiatives that keep women and gender diverse people safe are often the first things on the chopping block,” she said.

Prager added the Equity Office was important in creating a cohesive strategy to ensure initiatives like childcare, housing and women’s safety were progressing.

“It was really disappointing to see the Equity Office close because it sends a signal that this work isn’t a priority,” she said.

Gender-based violence

Bligh is tabling a second motion Wednesday, called “Advancing a Gender-Based Violence Prevention Strategy.”

The motion says that since August of 2024, 34 women have been killed in B.C. as a result of intimate partner violence “representing a public safety crisis that disproportionately impacts women and gender-diverse people.”

If passed, the motion asks staff to prepare a memo to council in advance of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence outlining ongoing national, provincial, and municipal initiatives addressing gender-based violence, as well as opportunities for the City of Vancouver to participate in public awareness campaigns.

‘Whose safety?’

Bligh’s motion also seeks to establish a Gender-Based Violence Prevention Task Force composed of representatives from the city, the Vancouver Police Department, community-based organizations, survivors, and subject matter experts.

Prager said voting in support of these motions on Wednesday is the bare minimum from city council.

“If they vote against them, then their statements about safety and prioritizing the safety of residents of Vancouver really ring hollow. We have to be asking: Whose safety?” she said.