Peter Meiszner Explained

Peter Meiszner
Residence:Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Office:Vancouver City Councillor
Term Start1:November 7, 2022
Party:ABC Vancouver
Birth Name:Peter David Meiszner
Birth Date:January 9, 1983
Birth Place:Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
Occupation:Canadian politician
Education:Journalism and Media Relations
Alma Mater:University of British Columbia
British Columbia Institute of Technology

Peter Meiszner is a Canadian politician and journalist who was elected to Vancouver City Council in the 2022 Vancouver municipal election. He is a member of ABC Vancouver.[1] [2]

Early life and career

Originally from Nanaimo, British Columbia, Meiszner moved to Vancouver in 2002 after facing difficulty with his family when he came out as gay. He studied broadcast journalism at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, and worked as a television journalist for Global BC before leaving to join the University of British Columbia as a senior digital strategist and communications manager.[3]

Prior to his election, Meiszner was also the publisher of urbanYVR, a website focused on housing and urban development issues in the Lower Mainland. During this time, he served as vice-chair of the Gastown Historic Area Planning Committee.[4] [5] [6] [7]

Vancouver municipal politics

Upon assuming office as a Vancouver City Councillor, he was appointed as an alternate representative to the Metro Vancouver Regional District board and as a member of the Housing and Electoral Area ‘A’ committees. Meiszner also serves on the board of the Vancouver Public Library, Vancouver Civic Theatres and EasyPark.[8] [9] [10]

As a Yaletown resident, Meiszner expressed repeated concerns over the presence of the Thomus Donaghy Overdose Prevention Site (OPS) in that neighbourhood, which replaced a mobile overdose prevention unit across the street at Emery Barnes Park. In April 2023, Meiszner called for the OPS to be shut down, but said he would not support a closure without an assured new location. In June 2023, however, Meiszner and the City of Vancouver announced that the Yaletown OPS would close with no immediate relocation plans.[11]

Meiszner was involved in a joint effort between the ABC-led city council and park board to turn non-recirculating decorative water fountains on again, after they had previously been disabled due to concerns about water waste. On approval of the initiative, city staff were directed to turn the fountains off if Metro Vancouver moved to Stage 2 water restrictions.[12]

Councillor Peter Meiszner has proposed installing a permanent "Vancouver" sign in the city to celebrate its identity and showcase its beauty. He believes it would be a symbol of civic pride, especially with major events like FIFA in 2026, the Invictus Games, the Juno Awards, and the Grey Cup approaching. The proposal aims to engage the community for input on design and location while addressing concerns about weather durability and cultural sensitivity. The motion will be discussed further by the Council.[13]

Notes and References

  1. https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/vancouver-election-results-2022 "Vancouver Election Results: Ken Sim rolls over Kennedy Stewart, vows to act fast to add police officers"
  2. Kenneth Chan, "Peter Meiszner to run for Vancouver City Council under A Better City party". Daily Hive, May 2, 2022.
  3. Mike Howell, "Meet Vancouver’s four new city councillors". Vancouver Is Awesome, October 28, 2022.
  4. Web site: UrbanYVR Team . UrbanYVR Team . November 9, 2022 . February 25, 2024.
  5. Web site: Gastown Historic Area Planning Committee Meeting Minutes . July 17, 2019 . February 25, 2024.
  6. Web site: In-camera Council Meeting Released Decisions and Reports . May 14, 2019 . February 25, 2024.
  7. Web site: VanElxn2022 VanRamblings' Druthers Endorsement Ballot . VanRamblings . October 6, 2022 . February 25, 2024.
  8. Web site: Council Meeting Minutes . City of Vancouver . October 31, 2023 . 5 . February 25, 2024.
  9. Web site: Vancouver City Councillor Peter Meiszner . City of Vancouver . February 27, 2024 . February 25, 2024.
  10. Web site: Councillor Peter Meiszner Trustee - Vancouver City Councillor . Vancouver Public Library . 2022 . February 25, 2024.
  11. Web site: 2023-07-24 . Vancouver won't renew lease for Yaletown overdose prevention site, no new location proposed . 2023-09-14 . British Columbia . en.
  12. Web site: CityNews . 2023-09-14 . vancouver.citynews.ca.
  13. News: City Council to consider installing a permanent "Vancouver" sign . K. Chan . Daily Hive . February 27, 2024 . February 27, 2024.