Agenda Index City of Vancouver

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

TO: Vancouver City Council

FROM: Director, Equal Employment Opportunity Program

SUBJECT: Vancouver City Hall Lights Program

INFORMATION

COUNCIL POLICY

SUMMARY

The City of Vancouver is committed to respond to the aspirations of its citizens in a culturally sensitive manner, and continually looks for ways to integrate the diverse communities in all aspects of civic life. A visible way to demonstrate this commitment is the recognition of and participation in significant cultural celebrations of our diverse communities.

Out of this commitment, the City Hall Lights Program was initiated. In 1999, the Special Advisory Committee to Council on Cultural Communities and a community organization asked the City to participate in community celebrations through a display of lights. A task group comprising city staff and members of the Advisory Committee was formed, with the mandate to explore the feasibility of the request and how it might be implemented. After considering various options, the task group has developed the City Hall Lights Program.

The Lights Program will support the celebration of religious and cultural dates by illuminating the trees at the entrance of City Hall for the period of the celebration or event at the request of the community. Some examples of celebrations include Diwali, Festival of Lights celebrated by the South Asian community; Hanukkah celebrated by the Jewishcommunity; St. Lucia's Day, also know as Crown of Candles, celebrated by the Swedish community; and the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrated by the Chinese community.

It is recognized that there are many celebrations, which do not have a significant association of lights display. For such celebrations, the community organizations can opt to have information about the event available for display at City Hall.

The requests for display of lights will be processed under criteria and guidelines, which have been developed for the purpose of this program. (Please see Appendix A)

PURPOSE

The City of Vancouver continuously strives to explore ways whereby it can further its goals of inclusion of diverse communities in every aspect. Recognizing and sharing significant community celebrations are ways of demonstrating this commitment. It is hoped, that by means of this City Lights Program, the people of Vancouver will learn more about diverse cultures and religions in the City.

BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION

The issue was first brought forward by the Special Advisory Committee to Council on Cultural Communities in 1999. The committee, in its endeavor to seek ways to promote and increase the welcoming and inclusion of diverse communities, felt that the City could demonstrate this commitment by recognizing and sharing community celebrations. Around the same time, the City was also approached by an organization requesting that the City join in the Diwali celebrations by a display of lights around City Hall.

In response, the City's Special Advisory Committee on Cultural Communities and staff began to investigate the feasibility of having a display of lights around City Hall during significant religious and cultural events in the City. A task force was set up with staff from Engineering, Building Management, the Equal Employment Opportunity Program, Parks & Recreation, Social Planning and members of the Advisory Committee on Cultural Communities to address this issue.

The task force explored a number of options based on availability of existing resources. It concluded that the best way of achieving the objective is by illuminating the trees at the entrance to City Hall. The trees are traditionally lit at Christmas time with red and green lights. The City Hall Lights Program has added clear lights to the trees, which may be turned on independently, or together to celebrate a variety of religious and cultural celebrations. Additionally, the communities may provide information about the event to be displayed in the rotunda area of City Hall, and/or a banner for the City Hall entrance.

The funds for the additional lights have been provided by the Hastings Institute through theirinvestment with the Vancouver Foundation to enhance community projects. Engineering and Building Management have assisted with the installation of the lights.

NEXT STEP

Launching of City Hall Lights Program

The City Hall Lights Program is ready to be made available to diverse communities in the city.

It is fitting that the official launch of the City Hall Lights Program takes place at the regular council meeting on Tuesday, December 11, 2001. This is an opportune week to formally launch the program as it encompasses several religious and cultural celebrations such as Hanukkah (December 9 -17), St. Lucia's Day (December 13), and Eid Al-Fitr (December 16). The week also begins with International Human Rights Day (December 10th), which symbolizes respect for and acceptance of all cultures and races.

Information about the program will be available through the City web site, information pamphlets will also be available and a news release will be issued.

CONCLUSION

We request Council to formally launch the program at its regular council meeting on Tuesday, December 11, 2001. City staff and the Advisory Committee on Cultural Communities wish to commend Council for their vision and on-going support for diversity initiatives, which has made the City of Vancouver a leader in promoting the value and strength of diversity.

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APPENDIX A

VANCOUVER CITY HALL LIGHTS PROGRAM

Vancouver is a colourful mosaic of cultures and faiths with unique traditions and celebrations, which makes Vancouver one of the best cities to live in the world. The City of Vancouver continuously strives to explore ways whereby it can further its goals of inclusion of diverse communities in every aspect. Recognizing and sharing significant community celebrations are ways of demonstrating this commitment. It is hoped, that by means of this city light program, the people of Vancouver will learn more about diverse cultures andreligions in the city.

WHAT IS THE VANCOUVER CITY HALL LIGHTS PROGRAM?

The City Hall Lights Program is intended to support the celebration of religious and cultural dates, which have significant association with displays of lights and are widely embraced by Vancouver's diverse communities. To mark these occasions, trees at the entrance of City Hall will be illuminated with lights for the period of the celebration or event.

Lights are available in green, red and clear. Traditionally, green and red lights are used around Christmas time. Clear lights have been added so there is a choice of appropriate colours. Each colour can be turned on independently.

While the lights are on display, information about the celebration can be provided by the community and made available at City Hall.

Additionally, the community may also display a banner at the entrance of City Hall.

GUIDELINES

The City invites applications from community groups or organizations requesting a display of lights. The following guidelines will be used to assess suitability of applications:

8. Banner (optional):

The City Hall Lights Program is administered by a staff group consisting of the Engineering, Building Management, Equal Employment Opportunity Program, Social Planning, and the Vancouver Parks & Recreation departments. All applications will be reviewed and approved by this group.

The City reserves the right to limit the duration of display of lights.

The City of Vancouver reserves the right to refuse an application where there is a concern or reason to believe that the event is inappropriate or unsuitable under the City Hall Lights Program, or where it may contravene City by-laws, Criminal Code of Canada, and/or the Human Rights Code of British Columbia.

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