Vancouver

The article explains why this is an issue. When we say “the residents” it’s important to contextualize which residents and how many:

It also shows how city-building decisions can be swayed by a relatively small number of people who have the time, resources and desire to fight against change in their neighbourhood.

It’s understandable people don’t want their neighbourhoods to change in ways they fear would make them worse. But city hall should weigh those voices against broader public interests, including a much larger group of people who could benefit from such changes, but are not nearly as likely to show up at public meetings to make their case.

Macquisten would have liked to voice his support to the board of variance, but it’s not easy for a working parent of two to show up at city hall at 1 p.m. on a Tuesday.