The Vancouver Agreement is an initiative undertaken jointly by the governments of Canada, British Columbia, and the City of Vancouver, to develop and revitalize Vancouver, and in particular its Downtown Eastside, through collaboration between projects and ministries at all three levels of government, as well as community and business groups. While other parts of the city are also targeted by the initiative, the DTES is notorious across Canada for its deep problems with poverty, substance abuse, prostitution, violent crime and homelessness, and the agreement’s stated goals include promoting the health, safety and economic and social well being of the neighbourhood. The initial five-year agreement began in March, 2000 and has been renewed to March 31, 2010.
On May 6, 2005, the Vancouver Agreement received the United Nations Public Service Award for "Improving transparency, accountability and responsiveness in the public service". On September 1, 2004, it received the Institute of Public Administration of Canada's Innovative Management Award.
Read more about Vancouver Agreement: Public Safety, Housing
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“That which corrodes the souls of the persecuted is the monstrous inner agreement with the prevailing prejudice against them.”
—Eric Hoffer (1902–1983)