Significant funding for climate action and public safety in Vancouver's next budget

Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart says next year's budget will include significant funding for climate action and public safety.

The mayor says Budget 2022 includes nine-million dollars for a new annual climate fund for electric vehicle chargers, transit infrastructure and building retrofits.

He says the leading driver of budget growth is once again spending on police and firefighters -- which represents nearly half of the budget's property tax increase.

Stewart says the budget includes a request for the city's new auditor general to review cost pressures on the police department.