On January 25, 2024, Vancouver City Council unanimously passed the Policy Statement for the redevelopment of ʔəy̓alməxʷ/Iy̓álmexw/Jericho Lands, setting the direction for this transformational project.
From the City’s Press Release:
The ʔəy̓alməxʷ/Iy̓álmexw/Jericho Lands will become a new high-density, mixed-use, car-light community shaped by the culture of the MST Nations, after City Council approved the Jericho Lands Policy Statement.
The Policy Statement sets directions for the redevelopment of ʔəy̓alməxʷ/Iy̓álmexw/Jericho Lands, a 90-acre (36 hectare) site owned by the joint venture partnership of the xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish Nation), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) (collectively the MST Nations) and Canada Lands Company (CLC).
The site will embrace its natural setting and be welcoming and inclusive to all. Over the next 25-30 years, ʔəy̓alməxʷ/Iy̓álmexw/Jericho Lands will develop to include:
- 13,000 new homes for 24,000 residents, which includes ~2,600 units of social housing and ~1,300 secured market and below-market rentals
- Space for a variety of commercial, light industrial and retail businesses accommodating around 3,000 jobs
- 259 childcare spaces for 0-4 year-olds and 240 spaces for 5-12 year-olds
- 20 acres (eight hectares) of park space
- 10 acres (four hectares) of public open spaces
- Community centre
- Arts, cultural and social spaces, including MST Nations’ self-determined spaces (e.g. artist studios, spaces for carving, food, dance, music, weaving or other activities, and spaces for ceremonies, healing, employment training, youth, elders, families)
- Non-traditional library (House of Learning)
- Renewal and expansion of Firehall #19
- Street upgrades, new walking and cycling connections, plazas, and transit integration
- Storm and potable water upgrades
- *New Vancouver School Board elementary school
- *Proposed UBCx Jericho Lands SkyTrain station
(* to be delivered in partnership with other agencies)
Mayor Ken Sim:
“We’re thrilled that this major Indigenous-led project will reflect the MST Nations’ culture, history and deep connection to the land, paving the way for new opportunities and prosperity for future generations of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səlilwətaɬ Peoples. The ʔəy̓alməxʷ/Iy̓álmexw/Jericho Lands will play a pivotal role in our city, evolving into a livable, sustainable neighbourhood featuring a significant number of new homes for diverse income levels and amenities centred around rapid transit.”
yəχʷyaχʷələq-Chief Wayne Sparrow, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm:
“Our people have been on these lands for thousands of years. To own them again and to be redeveloping them for the benefit of our people is us returning home. Along with our Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh relatives, we look forward to this opportunity to reclaim our heritage, revitalize our lands, and shape a future that reflects our values and aspirations.”
Sxwíxwtn-Wilson Williams, Spokesperson and General Councillor, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh:
“We are proud of our culture and look forward to sharing our way of life and worldview with all who will live in and visit ʔəy̓alməxʷ/Iy̓álmexw/Jericho Lands. With this new sustainable neighbourhood, we are creating modern Indigenous communities, offering a vibrant and inclusive environment for residents and visitors to thrive.”
Chief Jen Thomas, səlilwətaɬ:
“In returning our culture to these lands, we honour our ancestors and Elders who taught us our traditions and stories. The efforts we make today, together with our relatives Squamish and Musqueam, are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to generate wealth that can be invested into our community to improve the quality of life for not only the current generations, but also for the next seven generations to come.”
Stéphan Déry, President and CEO, Canada Lands Company:
“Canada Lands Company welcomes Vancouver City Council’s endorsement of the Policy Statement for the Jericho Lands. This project has been years in the making, working together with MST and the City, and through significant engagement and hearing from so many diverse voices, deeply connected to this land. This is a plan that will deliver so many benefits for the City of Vancouver, including much needed housing, and we are excited about what’s to come.”
Melanie Hare, Lead Planning Consultant, Comprehensive Development Concept Plan for ʔəy̓alməxw/Iy̓álmexw Jericho, which formed the basis of the City of Vancouver’s Policy Statement:
“We have been honoured and grateful to contribute to the MST-DC and Canada Lands Corporation-led site plan and design for the ʔəy̓alməxʷ/Iy̓álmexw/Jericho Lands. This is a key milestone and an exciting outcome for the MST Nations and the City of Vancouver.”
Michel Trocmé, Lead Urban Designer, Comprehensive Development Concept Plan for ʔəy̓alməxw/Iy̓álmexw Jericho, which formed the basis of the City of Vancouver’s Policy Statement:
“This is such a lovely outcome for the First Nations and many of the communities who were closely involved in growing and evolving this visionary and precedent setting plan for the ʔəy̓alməxʷ/Iy̓álmexw/Jericho Lands. The consultation led to many great learnings leading to an inspired and robust framework plan. It was an honour and a pleasure working with so many committed and talented people, and we look forward to seeing it come to fruition in the years to come.”
Read more about Urban Strategies’ role.
Learn more about the future of ʔəy̓alməxʷ/Iy̓álmexw/Jericho Lands.