The 2007 Mercer Report, an international study that evaluates cities based on a series of Quality of Living measures, ranked Vancouver third - ahead of all other North American cities.

Yet despite this high ranking, Vancouver continues to experience the effects of a number of visible social and troubling social issues. The soaring cost of housing and rental accommodation, increases to other costs of living such as food and childcare, and challenges arising from addictions issues are but three of the concerns that need to be addressed. Despite our high ranking, the good quality of life enjoyed by many is not enjoyed by all.

The City of Vancouver’s Social Policy team has been working on Quality of Life issues since the creation of the Social Planning Department over 90 years ago. Over the years, the various roles and responsibilities that we have taken on have gone through some changes, but the intent has been constant - we aim to do the very best we can within our mandated responsibility to ensure the well-being of the city’s residents.

This section details our work in three key areas - Quality of Life research, Social Development, and the formulation of a broad social sustainability “lens” through which to engage in municipal activities.

You can skip ahead to look at each of these initiatives, or start with a backgrounder that explains the relationship between Social Development, Quality of Life, and Social Sustainability.

[top]