Instead of getting so defensive
it may serve Vancouverites well to look at some of the items the author points out. I too, believe that this city has long neglected business interests. This city needs to do alot more in attracting and keeping star
corporations and their smaller neighborhood mom and pop businesses as well. If Vancouver would do this, the push for more business towers
would present itself. The main reason no new business towers are going up in the city is that there is no need for them. Create businesses and the need for towers will increase. Very simple formula.
As far as Vancouver philanthropy is concerned, well I think the author has revealed the 800 pound gorilla that is NOT in the room. I mean, this city has zero premire facilities to show off or to house the arts....no decent performing arts centers
, no good museums, no decent symphony halls, Opera halls, etc. I mean really, I have seen much better facilities in cities one third the size of Vancovuer
. I mention philanthropy because typically, this is where these ventures get their seed money
(and often times most of it) and where the major support and imputus originates. So where are all of the people with big money here in this city, where are the business leaders, society leaders?.....well they are not supporting Vancouver in any visible way that is for sure. There is obviously plenty of people with wads of cash in Vancouver, but few who are willing to step up to the plate to support and lead some very needed civic centered projects. Generally I feel that Canadians and Vancouverites think that the govenments should provide ALL of these ventures and services, well how is that working out for us???
Government does some things well, and other things not so well.
We need to recongnize that government cannot and should not do it all.
Sure, Vancouverites can and should be very proud
of their accomplishments.
However, philanthropy that makes a big mark in meaningful and symbolic ways is not one of them and attracting and maintaining strong businesses in the core CBD has not been a strong point either.
My suggestion is to poke
and prod
city government into providing greater leadership in attracting businesses and lending stronger support to the ones that are already existing. Another suggestion is to nudge
our wealthy and powerful society members
to let go of
some of their hard earned cash and time and energy and to give back to the city they love to live in. If they use their resources to lead their pet project and philanthropic efforts, I predict that average and upper wage earners will gladly
follow suit, and assist them in their efforts for the benefit of all city dwellers and visitors alike. I have witnessed this scenario in many cities, and it could happen here. We just need a few civic minded people with the resources to get the ball rolling.
Just because Vancouver does a ton of stuff right does not mean that we can't do even more! I remain positive that we will take a close look at what we can do even better!
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