I dream of a Council where citizens are eager to come and participate in meetings and initiatives. A respectful Chambers where social, environmental, economic and artistic thoughts are woven together in a whole action to create a city for everyone. I dream of a city in which everyone gives according to their abilities and receives according to their needs. A city in which we share the wealth we each have in order to make Vancouver a great city.

I dream Council will ensure that Vancouver does not become a city of the rich but is a city which is known for the its welcoming, strong, diverse, safe, affordable, green neighbourhoods and attractive, humane buildings. A city where everyone from First Nations to the newest immigrant is able to access our services and participate in the governance of their neighbourhoods and Council.  I dream of small businesses being able to thrive and create jobs for the young and the creative.

I dream this City will be known for its democratic institutions from elected neighbourhood councils with a voice at Council, to elected Councillors from wards and at large, and that each Councillor will have a full assistant.

I dream this city will become known for its range of affordable housing options and everyone will have asafe affordable place they call home.

I dream of a city safe for women, seniors, the LGTBQ and diverse communities. I dream this city achieves and surpasses its green sustainability initiatives to model the greenest city practises in the world.

I dream that when Vancouver hosts the FCM in 2013 it will  have a social sustainability theme in which we showcase our best practises that have been achieved by putting a gender and diversity lens on all our work. I dream that we will showcase Citizen U; Women Transforming Cities; the City Gender Budgetting Process; a full Urban Aboriginal strategy;  anti homophobia campaigns; the immigrant mentoring program; the Dialogues Project; the most accessible transit for seniors and the differently abled; and a work force which has a living and a fair wage.

I dream this Council will be known for creating a beautiful city in which buildings, art and neighbourhoods showcase the unique and stunning possibilities of the artists and architects in our midst and that Council demands the spectacular from developers and saves the heritage.

I dream that Vancouver will become a great city.  I call on all of us to remember our roots in the Coast Salish nations who governed here 125 years ago. They looked at the world as a whole or through a medicine wheel. The centre could only be seen through looking at a problem from all angles, listening to all voices, acknowledging different chiefs and acting for the best interests of everyone.

May the next Council dream of nothing less.

 

Ellen Woodsworth Prayer in Council
November 28, 2011