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]
Peter Meiszner | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Vancouver City Councillor | |
| Assumed office November 7, 2022 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Peter David Meiszner January 9, 1983 Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada |
| Political party | ABC Vancouver |
| Residence(s) | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Education | Journalism and Media Relations |
| Alma mater | University of British Columbia British Columbia Institute of Technology |
| Occupation | Canadian politician |
| Website | vancouver.ca/peter-meiszner |
Early life and career
editOriginally 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.[2][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.[2][4][5][6][7]
Vancouver municipal politics
editUpon 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]
References
edit- ^ "Vancouver Election Results: Ken Sim rolls over Kennedy Stewart, vows to act fast to add police officers". Vancouver Sun, October 17, 2022.
- ^ a b c Kenneth Chan, "Peter Meiszner to run for Vancouver City Council under A Better City party". Daily Hive, May 2, 2022.
- ^ Mike Howell, "Meet Vancouver’s four new city councillors". Vancouver Is Awesome, October 28, 2022.
- ^ UrbanYVR Team (November 9, 2022). "UrbanYVR Team". Retrieved February 25, 2024.
- ^ "Gastown Historic Area Planning Committee Meeting Minutes" (PDF). July 17, 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
- ^ "In-camera Council Meeting Released Decisions and Reports". May 14, 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
- ^ "VanElxn2022 VanRamblings' Druthers Endorsement Ballot". VanRamblings. October 6, 2022. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
- ^ "Council Meeting Minutes" (PDF). City of Vancouver. October 31, 2023. p. 5. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
- ^ "Vancouver City Councillor Peter Meiszner". City of Vancouver. February 27, 2024. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
- ^ "Councillor Peter Meiszner Trustee - Vancouver City Councillor". Vancouver Public Library. 2022. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
- ^ "Vancouver won't renew lease for Yaletown overdose prevention site, no new location proposed". British Columbia. 2023-07-24. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
- ^ "CityNews". vancouver.citynews.ca. 25 July 2023. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
- ^ K. Chan (February 27, 2024). "City Council to consider installing a permanent "Vancouver" sign". Daily Hive. Retrieved February 27, 2024.