Campbell's Downtown Eastside Extension: More Time for Change

0:00It's March 31st. I'm Cory with the story, and this is Vancouver News today. Local news powered by AI. Larry Campbell, the former Vancouver mayor and senator, just got his gig as provincial advisor for the downtown east side, extended by another six months. Hired last September to tackle big issues like housing and addiction, he's now got until late September to wrap things up and deliver his report to the government. Deputy minister Christine Boyle announced the extension on March 31st, 2026, saying it gives Campbell more time to chat with, service groups, and dig into systemic problems in the neighborhood. He started off pretty shaken by the rough conditions, but spotted some hope in new buildings popping up, and a bit more energy on the streets. Locals and agencies have mixed feelings. Welcome the extra time, but warn the housing crisis is massive and needs real effort. Campbell, who was also BC's chief corner, says the scale blew him away with way more groups involved than he expected from his mayor days.

1:01He's uncovering fragmentation between government and nonprofits, plus scary stuff like rundown single-room buildings unsafe for anyone, especially women and brain damage from toxic street drugs. For each six months stretch, he's getting $92,000 plus 10,000 in expenses. This extension could spark the concrete changes the downtown east side desperately needs, mirroring struggles and communities everywhere across Canada.