City of Vancouver passes 1.6 billion dollar budget, Police chief says he's disappointed

The City of Vancouver's 1.6 billion dollar COVID-19 response budget for 2021 has passed after nearly 139 million dollars in pandemic-related losses.

Mayor Kennedy Stewart says the budget includes more money for overdose response efforts, supports for small businesses, as well as housing, sanitation and community policing.

He says the budget also keeps property tax increases at five per cent and holds the city's largest line item, the police budget, to 2020 levels.

Police chief Adam Palmer says he's disappointed the force asked for 322 million dollars to maintain current staffing levels and fixed cost obligations but received 316, leaving a 5.7 million dollar shortfall.