Dear Editor:
Re: Kirk LaPointe: North Vancouver and West Van deserve their spots among Canada’s most livable cities
It would be interesting to compare the publications and individual comments Mr. Lapointe’ based his Dec. 25 article on to claim that West Vancouver is one of the most livable cities in Canada to the views of those who have left West Van over the past three decades or others of us still here who see it very differently.
I appreciate that he has lived here for only four years. My family has lived here for 33 years, and we have witnessed thousands of West Van graduates, workers and older downsizing family members leave because it became unlivable due to a lack of housing that could be rented or bought at reasonable market rates.
This problem was caused by West Vancouver limiting the development of housing to largely single-family houses which supported a growth rate of only one sixth of the average in other Metro Vancouver communities over the past 50 years.
This also meant that West Van gave up 85 per cent of the revenue and increased tax base over that period from residential development, its main source of new revenue. This has led to its inability to properly fund and maintain its infrastructure and increasing transportation and environmental challenges.
I know many elderly residents who would dearly love to have their adult children or grandchildren live here and help them; or many businesses whose viability has been challenged due to a shrinking demand and lack of accessible workers.
To make West Van truly livable for most, amid our wonderful sea and mountain views, we need strong support to encourage the immediate development of lower cost accommodation. Otherwise, the current 500-plus high school graduates in 2025 and those that follow in the coming years, and their downsizing parents, will join the ranks of thousands before them questioning, the livability of West Vancouver.
Gary D Powroznik
West Vancouver
