Media Release

November 27, 2006, The Vancouver Board of Trade

"We can’t let thieves steal our city’s reputation"

Board of Trade applauds initiative to combat crime and public disorder in Vancouver

Project Civil City initiative announced today

The Vancouver Board of Trade commends Mayor Sam Sullivan and Vancouver City Council for their leadership in addressing the burning problem of crime and public disorder in Canada and Vancouver with the "Project Civil City" initiative, announced today.

For a decade, The Board of Trade has been active in the fight against crime in Vancouver. The Board published its first crime report in 1997; it was updated in 2003, and has been updated every year since. Most recently, The Board released the landmark Kids ‘N Crime report (PDF/868kb), which outlines the harmful factors that lead to criminal behaviour in children.

In 1971, the solicitor general of the day announced in the House of Commons, "From now on, the justice system will focus on the rehabilitation of individuals rather than protecting the public." Since then, the justice system has not held individuals responsible for their own behaviour.

"We have become a city beset by beggars and thieves... our reputation is now on the line," said Borowicz — photo by Pace Group

"Victims and their families have paid a high price for that unbalanced policy, and nowhere in the country is this more evident than on the streets and in the neighbourhoods of Vancouver," said Frank Borowicz, QC, chairman of The Vancouver Board of Trade. "We have become a city beset by beggars and thieves, and our reputation is now on the line."

Crime rates here, in all categories from petty to serious, are among the worst in the country. But this is a national problem as well. According to Statistics Canada’s 2004 Criminal Victimization Survey, 28 per cent of Canadians age 15 years and over reported they were victims of crime in the preceding year. Forty per cent were victims two or more times, 20 per cent were victims three or more times. And these weren’t just petty crimes. Thirty per cent were violent crimes, where 650,000 Canadians were physically injured — and this does not count the psychological trauma to victims and their families. In Vancouver alone, the police department currently has 20,000 arrest warrants outstanding.

The Vancouver Board of Trade supports a balanced approach to dealing with crime and public disorder, including more and better treatment for drug addicts; more and better rehabilitation facilities; more and better mental health facilities; education and literacy programs; early childhood development; and improved accountability of the courts.

While these measures are important, even more is needed, including new sentencing, parole and early release guidelines that give better protection to the public, especially for repeat and violent offenders; more police; vigorous prosecution; better measures to deal with organized crime and gangs; and less tolerance for drug traffickers.

Panhandling, graffiti and other street activities are significant elements in the continuum of crime and disorder. Giving money to panhandlers is often the first step in a drug deal.

"If we can stop smoking in public places, we can stop public disorder the way other cities have. Clear policies that hold people responsible for their own behaviour at all levels of public conduct are urgently required. It is time the justice system — local, federal and provincial — realigns the needs, rights and freedoms of criminals, with those of victims. Above all," continued Borowicz, "we can’t let thieves steal our City’s reputation."

Community crisis
In a letter to the Prime Minister, Premier and Mayor (PDF/4,356kb), a coalition of 10 major business organizations has voiced concern that our city is in the grip of an urban malignancy manifested by an open drug market, high property crime, persistent panhandling and a visible, growing population of homeless. The business groups outlined recommendations for urgent action to improve the situation.

Contact:

Dave Park, chief economist and assistant managing director
The Vancouver Board of Trade
Phone: 604-641-1254

Terry Hadley, communications mnager
The Vancouver Board of Trade
Phone: 604-641-1271

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