Ellen Woodsworth

Come and march with COPE at this year’s Pride Parade!  If you are interested in joining us please contact aaron@cope.bc.ca and let him know! The parade will take place on Aug. 1st at 12pm and we encourage you to show your PRIDE!

Ellen works with West End residents for a transparent community vision.

West End Vision

Ellen has been actively working with the residents of Vancouver’s West End in the creation of a transparent community vision. In April she put forth a motion to Council calling for a thorough visioning process to help the community deal with the needs of the many distinct groups that live in the area and the rezoning that threatens the distinctive character of the neighbourhood.

Ellen and West End artist Tiko Kerr stand by his painting of Maxine's, July 21, 2010

Ellen attended the West End farmer’s market on July 21, the same day that West End artist Tiko Kerr unveiled his painting of Maxine’s Hideaway, the historic supper club. The site of this 1920’s building, located at 1215 Bidwell, has been rezoned for the construction of a 21-storey tower. The painting will be auctioned off to raise funds for West End Neighbours (WEN).

Dear Friends,

It’s been a very busy year and a lot has been accomplished to make our city a Vancouver for everyone. I wanted to send you a brief note about some of my work before we wind up for the summer.

These are some of the areas I have focused on in 2010:

• Worked hard on issues around housing and homelessness including joining the seven day fast for a national housing program
• Stood clear in fighting for civil liberties during the Olympics and not accepting any free tickets
• Supported the expansion of bike lanes
• Opposed the tax shift from businesses to residential properties
• Opposed Mixed Martial Arts in Vancouver
• Introduced several motions regarding the need for electoral reform, including hard caps on donations
• Convinced city council to join the Canadian Municipalities Against Racial Discrimination
• Proposed an Office of Public Consultation
• Stood for a lower tax rate for small business
• Brought forward motions opposing the HST
• Brought forward a motion for a visioning process for the West End

Despite all this, however, there is much more work we need to do. This fall I will urge Council to refocus around three key issues:

• Creating a new “Office of Public Consultation” that is transparent, accountable, and has teeth
• Fighting for strong visioning processes for all neighbourhoods, especially the neighbourhoods that haven’t had one – West End, Grandview Woodlands, Downtown Eastside and Marpole
• Implementing all of Vancouver’s electoral reform submissions, including hard donation caps and spending limits

In the meantime, I plan to take advantage of the summer break to consult with citizens from all over Vancouver about the pressing issues they want to see acted upon at Council.

I wish you all a wonderful summer!

All the best,
Councillor Ellen Woodsworth
604 873 7240

Canada Day

Ellen had a busy Canada Day in her capacity as Deputy Mayor. Brent Granby followed Ellen throughout her day and captured the moments. For more images please go to Brent’s Photostream on Flickr.

Vancouver City Councillors Jang, Anton, Woodsworth, Louie and Chow at Canada Day 2010. ©Brent Granby

Ellen giving the welcoming address as Deputy Mayor at Sunset Community Centre, Canada Day 2010. ©Brent Granby

Ellen and Vancouver-Hastings MLA Shane Simpson, Canada Day 2010. ©Brent Granby

Ellen and Ron from the Strathcona Community Centre, Canada Day 2010. ©Brent Granby

Ellen inspects the troops, July 1, 2010. ©Brent Granby

Deputy Mayor Councilor Ellen Woodsworth with VPD Chief Jim Chu and Commanders of 15th Field Artillary Regiment. ©Brent Granby