Mission Mayor Paul Horn shared his love for the community and used his memories and stories to touch on issues that impact Mission today.
Horn was presenting the annual mayor’s speech at the Mission and Regional Chamber of Commerce Christmas Luncheon last week.
“I loved Mission, even as a child, but that had nothing to do with it being Mission City. It was the sense of community that shone through, and it particularly shone through at Christmas,” he told the crowd at the Best Western Plus Mission City Lodge.
“Like any child, I knew nothing about local politics. I only knew the people in my neighbourhood, and I knew that they cared about me.”
The mayor touched on many topics during his talk, including the downtown core.
“In 1982 and 2019, the streetscapes improved, but the downtown still battles against malls and on-line shopping. Thankfully, with the help of our two MLAs, we are finally going to see trucks rerouted from the downtown core. This is a critical step in keeping the heart of our city a vital and livable space.”
He said Mission merchants need our support.
“As a city, we aim to ensure more mixed-use developments that include affordable homes, shopping, entertainment, and professional services all within walking distance. That model brings the market to the merchant; reduces the need for cars and parking; and uses our land supply efficiently.”
Remembering back when he was a child having his tonsils removed, Horn spoke about the Mission Regional Hospital and the great care he and his family received.
“What do kids or young moms experience today when they need a doctor? In this community, we have 14,000 people without a physician. Getting help today means getting in a car; getting on a waiting list; and getting frustrated. The people who deliver our care are still dedicated people … but they are overwhelmed by the need. The costs and resourcing of healthcare now require us to use a regional delivery model, but there are too many delivery gaps.”
Horn said Mission needs more services in many ways, including mental health care, expanded emergency capacity and senior’s supportive care.
“We are in active discussions with Fraser Health about more mental health care and are happy that we will soon see an Urgent and Primary Care Centre located in Mission.”
That centre is a 10,000 sq feet facility at the Junction Shopping Centre and is under construction. It will include a home for Public Health and is expected to open in 2024.
Active construction is also underway on the hospital’s new CT Scanner site, with expected operation also in 2024.
Calling healthcare in BC a “complicated issue,” Horn said the city will work with the Fraser Valley Regional Hospital District and local partners with the aim to co-host a planning forum that will include service providers, neighbouring communities, First Nations, and the public.
Horn also spoke about caring for others and planning for future needs.
“As leaders, we are not building Mission for the people in this room, but rather for our children and grandchildren. We know that bigger food banks and shelters are not the solutions, and that the solution will take more than your local politicians. Supporting policies that allow for affordable housing, local work, more transportation options, and a more accessible community will help, but we must also return to a time when neighbours helped neighbours,” he said.
He spoke about people talking to each other to resolve issues and possible changes to the local bylaws.
“I cannot bear to hear another complaint about an RV on a residential lot, a cat that wanders over a fence, a snowblower, or an un-mowed lawn. And I certainly can’t bear the thought that you and I are paying to resolve these ever-escalating neighbourhood feuds. I hear from people installing video cameras aimed 24/7 into one another’s windows; constant court battles; and threats of violence. It must stop.
“Next year, our council will revisit our bylaw program and our Good Neighbour Bylaw. We will aim to create a more enforceable and focused Good Neighbour Bylaw; to properly resource our bylaw team; and to use resources to better restore neighbour-to-neighbour relationships.”
Horn emphasized the need to help others, no matter their situation, race, sex or economical situations.
“As children, we can be forgiven for missing the disparities right under our noses, but that’s not so for us as adults. In my childhood, I saw plenty of racism, but didn’t see how it affected people. In my entire youth, I never saw a person without a home on our streets and I couldn’t imagine it could ever happen here.
“But, the other night, as we paraded down the street for the Candlelight Parade, it occurred to me that we were literally celebrating just steps away from neighbours in dire need.
“Some people might struggle to think of unhoused or struggling people as neighbours, but in my childhood, there was no membership card needed to belong here. One needn’t have lived here all their life. One needn’t be rich or perfect. We proudly took everyone.
“And when we saw that a neighbour was suffering, we helped. Everyone knew a family that was struggling with rent; dealing with alcohol problems; or having family trouble. That was just normal, and so was finding a way to reach out. We found jobs for people, took up collections at church, visited with meals or watched over their children.”
He asked the crowd for their support to bring change.
“Today, we fund youth centres and provide land for supportive housing. Today, we perform outreach and enlist firefighters to help overdose victims. Today, we prepare extreme weather shelters and modular homes. And, sadly, we will be asked to do more in the coming years. Solutions will not come easily or cheaply, but not acting will cost much, much more.
“I worry that we have forgotten how to be good to one another, so I ask you to be inspired by the giving leadership of our forebears and First Peoples. When you consider your home, may you see in it the same qualities as we hold most dear in this, the darkest time of the year. No matter your faith, as the days shorten and the nights grow colder, we are asked to celebrate the light within each of us. From Diwali to Epiphany, we look into ourselves and find our most important human qualities; peace, faith, charity, hope and, most important of all, love.”