Vancouver councillor, mayor question recommendations of Odessa sister city changes

By Andrew Cowie

Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart and Councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung are having misgivings over the city’s proposed Friendship City program.

The report, which is set to be discussed on May 18, lists three main recommendations.

One of those recommendations says Vancouver’s five current sister cities (Odesa, Yokohama, Edinburgh, Guangzhou and Los Angeles) will be sent a notice that they will have two years to transition to friendship cities.

The recommendation continues, saying that if the transition has not been completed, staff will report back to council with the suggested next steps.

In a tweet by Kirby-Yung, she questioned why the city was presenting Odesa with a two-year timeline when they were in the midst of a war.

“I can’t fathom giving Odesa notice while Ukrainians are fighting for their country and lives, or not respecting legacy nature of current Sister Cities. So I will put an amendment forward to strike,” Kirby-Yung said in a tweet.

The Friendship City Program idea was created following a meeting in September 2021, five months before the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart echoed the thoughts of Kirby-Yung, and said changes to the plan were necessary.

“As I stated publicly Friday, when I proposed the Friendship City program last year it was not to replace the strong relationships we have with Sister Cities,” said Stewart in a statement.

“Unfortunately, the staff report coming to Council this week missed that mark. My office has reached out to local representatives connected to Sister Cities, including Odesa and Guangzhou, to let them know I do not support the report’s direction and will aim to amend it.”

Vancouver City describes their Sister City program as a way for two cities to “work together to share information, promote educational exchange, and enhance economic development.”

According to Vancouver City, they have been linked through the Sister City program with Odessa since 1944.

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