September 01, 2004 VANCOUVER, B.C -- The Vancouver Agreement, an urban development partnership between the governments of Canada, British Columbia and Vancouver, today received the highest award for innovative management presented by the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC). The Vancouver Agreement, a unique example of how greater collaboration between governments, communities and business can be achieved, placed first of three finalists for the award, which was presented here during the organization’s annual conference. IPAC is Canada’s national association of public servants, academics, and others interested in public administration, and leads public administration research in Canada. The award recognizes exceptional management within Canada’s public sector. The theme of this year’s competition was "Pulling Against Gravity: Horizontal Collaboration.” It is a great honour for the Vancouver Agreement to be recognized as a leader in how to govern differently and more effectively,” said Ardath Paxton Mann, assistant deputy minister Western Economic Diversification Canada, who with Tom Jensen, assistant deputy minister, provincial Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women’s Services, and Judy Rogers, Vancouver City Manager, accepted the award on behalf of the three government partners. The Vancouver Agreement is truly based on horizontal collaboration as we work across jurisdictions, including the Vancouver Police Department and Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, and with the community and business to find solutions to some of society’s most challenging issues,” she added. The governments of Canada, British Columbia and Vancouver signed the Agreement in March 2000 to work together and coordinate resources to implement a comprehensive strategy promoting and supporting sustainable economic, social and community development in the city. The first focus of the Vancouver Agreement is revitalizing the city’s Downtown Eastside, which was once a vibrant commercial and entertainment district. By the late 1990s, urban decay, including drug dealing and use on local streets, replaced the once-busy shopping area. The Vancouver Agreement is transforming how government traditionally worked with community groups,” said Ken Lyotier, executive director of the non-profit United We Can, who delivered today’s winning presentation. The fact that I was asked to make this presentation shows how different this model is and that it is based on collaboration and partnerships,” said Mr. Lyotier whose group is based in the Downtown Eastside. The Vancouver Agreement is led by the Hon. Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport) for the Government of Canada; the Hon. Murray Coell, Minister of Community, Aboriginal and Women’s Services for the Government of British Columbia; and Mayor Larry Campbell representing the City of Vancouver. For additional information, contact: Jean Kavanagh Communications Director Vancouver Agreement Phone: (604) 873-7372 Cell: (604) 802-5729 Email: jean_kavanagh@city.vancouver.bc.ca Information about the IPAC Innovative Management Award can be found at http://www.ipac.ca/news/index.html
