Vancouver Council Greenlights Controversial Jericho Lands Megaproject
In a unanimous decision on Tuesday, Vancouver City Council officially approved the development plan for the long-debated Jericho Lands megaproject — a transformative initiative set to reshape the city’s West Point Grey neighbourhood with thousands of new homes and a major investment in First Nations-led urban planning.
The 90-acre site, formerly a military garrison just across 4th Avenue from Jericho Beach Park, will be transformed over the next 25 to 30 years into a vibrant community of 13,000 homes designed to accommodate 24,000 residents.
The project is being spearheaded by the MST Development Partnership — the development arm of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations — in collaboration with the Canada Lands Company, a federal Crown corporation.
A First Nations Vision for the Future
Councillors praised the project not only for its scale and ambition but also for its leadership and symbolism.
“This is a neighbourhood that has had a population change of just one person since 1996,” said Coun. Sarah Kirby-Yung, highlighting the region's stagnant growth. “It’s a stark contrast to how other neighbourhoods of the city have been growing.”
Coun. Lucy Maloney of OneCity echoed the sentiment, calling the project a “powerful example of what’s possible” when municipal governments work in true partnership with Indigenous communities.
“I was overjoyed to support a plan that exemplifies the mutual benefit that emerges when First Nations are given the space to lead,” she said.
However, Maloney noted that some community feedback had raised concerns about cultural misunderstanding. “I am very disappointed by the tone and fearmongering we’ve heard from some opponents of the project. It shows there’s still much work to do in educating the public on the rights and roles of Indigenous peoples in shaping our city.”
Community Concerns and Controversy
Despite council’s unanimous vote, public opinion remains divided. Dozens of residents signed up to speak at last week’s council meeting, many voicing concerns through the Jericho Coalition, a grassroots group opposing the project's density and high-rise towers — some planned to reach up to 49 storeys.
Opponents proposed a scaled-down alternative, emphasizing low- to mid-rise development that would better align with the existing neighbourhood character.
What’s in the Plan?
The approved development will include:
- 13,000 housing units, with 2,600 designated as social housing
- 12.4 hectares of parks and open space
- 259 child care spaces
- A future SkyTrain station, should the Broadway subway be extended to UBC
City planners describe the plan as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address the housing crisis while honoring Indigenous land stewardship.
With work expected to unfold over several decades, the Jericho Lands development represents one of the most significant urban transformations in Vancouver’s history — and a new chapter in how cities, developers, and Indigenous Nations collaborate in shaping Canada’s urban future.
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