Free public transportation within the Downtown Eastside will be closed following Vancouver City Council’s unanimous decision Wednesday to approve a councilor’s motion to address service disparities for people living on low incomes and experiencing homelessness. WiFi could be improved.
The approved motion specifically directs city staff to report by the end of 2024 on plans, schedules, and budgets for improving free public WiFi in the Downtown Eastside.
This includes working with community/social service organizations, local businesses, BC Housing, and non-profit housing operators to add WiFi access points, as well as working with other organizations in the region and business improvements to provide free public WiFi access. This includes potentially discussing with the association.
“WiFi access not only strengthens social support, but also provides access to a wide range of services and supports that help people maintain and maintain health, maintain stability, and access knowledge, employment, healthcare, and more. It’s very important,” said OneCity City Councilor Christine. Boyle, who introduced the motion, said this during today’s public meeting.
“Digital access is critical to what we do, especially for people on limited incomes where a data plan or ongoing mobile phone plan may not fit within their monthly budget. Not social assistance budgets. Access to WiFi can absolutely make lives safer in reducing social isolation and enabling people to stay in touch with family and build strong social networks. Masu.”
Boyle said in the motion that online connectivity allows people to access municipal shelter hotlines, doctor and nurse hotlines, drug toxicity alerts, addiction withdrawal management, and a variety of overdose response and prevention support services. It is pointed out that it can be accessed.
An amendment by ABC City Council member Renee Zhou directing city staff to work with private telecommunications providers in expanding free Wi-Fi service in the Downtown Eastside was also approved.
The City of Vancouver first launched a free WiFi network called #VanWiFi about 10 years ago, starting with a partnership with Shaw, now known as Rogers.
In addition to providing free public WiFi in community/recreation centers and libraries, #VanWiFi also provides free public WiFi in many city-owned public housing buildings, some Mobi bike share stations, and other areas of the Downtown Eastside. It is also provided. Businesses, pharmacies, shops, restaurants, cafes, community organization offices, etc.
Over the years, some of these WiFi hotspots have been discontinued due to companies or other partners closing or switching over.
Currently, the city government offers approximately 520 free public WiFi locations through both Rogers and Telus.
Free public #VanWiFi hotspot locations across Vancouver as of March 2024 (City of Vancouver)
