Mobile Menu

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • West Coast Galleries
      • Nature Photography
      • Wildlife Photography
      • Cityscapes
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • Newsletter Sign-up
  • Contests
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Terms of Service
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • TikTok Icon
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Flickr Icon
  • Menu
  • Skip to left header navigation
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • TikTok Icon
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Flickr Icon

West Coast Traveller

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • West Coast Galleries
      • Nature Photography
      • Wildlife Photography
      • Cityscapes
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • Newsletter Sign-up
  • Contests
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Terms of Service
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
You are here: Home / news / Canadian government commits $1.8 million to help revitalize Vancouver’s Chinatown

The Lunar New Year parade in Vancouver’s Chinatown. The federal government is providing $1.8 million to the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation to help revitalize the historic neighbourhood. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck photo

Canadian government commits $1.8 million to help revitalize Vancouver’s Chinatown

February 18, 2023 //  by The Canadian Press

Share this:

The federal government is spending $1.8 million to help make Vancouver’s historic Chinatown lighter and brighter.

Harjit Sajjan, minister responsible for the Pacific economic development agency of Canada, says the COVID-19 pandemic hit Chinatown particularly hard but the investment provides a first step toward a “renewed and reinvigorated” community.

The Vancouver Chinatown Foundation says more than $1.3 million of the funding will be used modernize buildings, including the Chinese Cultural Centre, Chinatown Storytelling Centre and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Gardens, with new lighting, signage and awnings.

It says the rest of the money will go toward creating 50 new jobs for the annual Light Up Chinatown festival in September.

In a separate effort, Vancouver council unanimously approved a plan last month for Chinatown that focuses on enhanced cleaning and sanitation, graffiti removal, a safety program and other community supports at a cost of $2.1 million in the first year.

READ MORE: Fast ferry service between Nanaimo and Vancouver slated to start next summer

Carol Lee, chair of the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation, says the federal funding marks a “turning point for the neighbourhood,” but notes that though it is a step in the right direction, it is “not the solution.”

“There has been a significant increase in graffiti and vandalism, a steep rise in anti-Asian racism, random attacks on our seniors, (and) a rise in property crime, which has made Chinatown a place that people no longer feel safe to come to,” Lee told a news conference at the Chinatown Storytelling Centre on Monday.

But, despite the neighbourhood’s decline, “people still love Chinatown and want to see it revitalized,” she says.

Lee says the improvements will help make the neighbourhood more beautiful, safe and welcome, while also providing the basis for “renewed economic vitality.”

“After years of neglect, Chinatown will finally begin to get back a bit of the sparkle it had in its heyday,” Lee says. “(But) we still have a long way to go and so many things we need to achieve to make Chinatown the jewel that it can be.”

The foundation applied for and was granted the funding through the federal government’s PacifiCan Tourism Relief Fund, which was launched in the summer of 2021 and provides $500 million over two years to help tourism businesses and organizations.

– The Canadian Press

READ MORE: BC Tourism and Hospitality Awards name 2023 finalists

Plan your adventures throughout the West Coast at westcoasttraveller.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thewestcoasttraveller. And for the top West Coast Travel stories of the week delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our weekly Armchair Traveller newsletter!

Share this:

Category: news, TravelTag: British Columbia Destinations, Canada, Fun Things to Do in the Lower Mainland, Vancouver

Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

Cultural Experience Series in Chilliwack and Mission delves into Stó:lō history

Everyone is invited to take in events showcasing Stó:lōculture and history in B.C.’s Chilliwack and…

Cultural Experience Series in Chilliwack and Mission delves into Stó:lō historyRead More

SilverStar builds new campground above Vernon

A new campground has opened up accommodation options at SilverStar Mountain Resort. Nestled in the…

SilverStar builds new campground above VernonRead More

How to stay tick free this summer

If you’re hiking the West Coast this summer, it’s important to take steps to avoid…

How to stay tick free this summerRead More

Fairmont Empress in Victoria ascends the throne as Travel + Leisure’s best hotel in Canada

After reaching second-best in 2024 – up from third in 2023 – the Fairmont Empress…

Fairmont Empress in Victoria ascends the throne as Travel + Leisure’s best hotel in CanadaRead More

Free, outdoor Victoria festival brings art, music and whimsy to Government House grounds

After Victoria’s first ArtisTREE festival in 2024 drew nearly 20,000 people, far surpassing expectations, a…

Free, outdoor Victoria festival brings art, music and whimsy to Government House groundsRead More

Tulalip casino expansion opens in Washington

The Tulalip Tribes in northwest Washington has opened a new 70,250-square-foot Tulalip Resort Casino expansion…

Tulalip casino expansion opens in WashingtonRead More

Marvelling mountain marmots: Surprise company in B.C.’s subalpine

British Columbia hikers can find themselves in the unexpected company during treks through the ragged,…

Marvelling mountain marmots: Surprise company in B.C.’s subalpineRead More

Ukee Days is coming – the BEST way to get to know Ucluelet!

Have you ever wondered how far you could toss a firefighter’s gumboot? Maybe you’re curious…

Ukee Days is coming – the BEST way to get to know Ucluelet!Read More

Protecting paradise: Waterway cleanups support Victoria’s wildlife, beaches and the Salish Sea

The Gorge Waterway is one of Victoria’s most scenic and beloved places – a tidal…

Protecting paradise: Waterway cleanups support Victoria’s wildlife, beaches and the Salish SeaRead More

Previous Post: « BC Tourism and Hospitality Awards name 2023 finalists
Next Post: VIDEO: J-pod orcas ride a fast ocean current in a narrow passage off Nanaimo »

Primary Sidebar

Things To Do

Cultural Experience Series in Chilliwack and Mission delves into Stó:lō history

July 15, 2025

SilverStar builds new campground above Vernon

July 14, 2025

How to stay tick free this summer

July 14, 2025

Fairmont Empress in Victoria ascends the throne as Travel + Leisure’s best hotel in Canada

July 9, 2025

Recent Posts

Cultural Experience Series in Chilliwack and Mission delves into Stó:lō history

July 15, 2025

SilverStar builds new campground above Vernon

July 14, 2025

How to stay tick free this summer

July 14, 2025

Fairmont Empress in Victoria ascends the throne as Travel + Leisure’s best hotel in Canada

July 9, 2025

Footer

The West Coast Traveller has an immense social media footprint, with eight social media sites and and 125,000+ social followers.

Join us on social media and Join Our Community by sharing your stuff!

Get Inspired

News Media Groups

Black Press Media
Sound Publishing
Oahu Media Group
Alaska
Boulevard Magazines
Used.ca

Let’s Get Social

West Coast Traveller
I Love British Columbia
I Love Alberta
I Love Yukon
I Love Northwest Territories
I Love Washington
I Love California
I Love Oregon
I Love Alaska

Visit Our Companion Sites

I Love Saskatchewan
I Love Manitoba
I Love Nunavut
I Love Ontario
I Love Quebec
I Love Newfoundland and Labrador
I Love Nova Scotia
I Love New Brunswick
I Love Prince Edward Island

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • TikTok Icon
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2025 West Coast Traveller and · All Rights Reserved