Today, the City of Vancouver and the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) issued the following joint statement in response to the BC Human Rights Commissioner’s report on the inquiry into media exclusion zones: 
 
“The City and VPD respect the Commissioner’s role and agree on the importance of independent media for democracy, accountability, and public confidence in institutions. 

The City and VPD maintain that the report’s description of a “media exclusion zone” does not reflect the facts, as media access was in fact prioritized, planned for, and communicated in advance—including an April 5, 2023 Information Bulletin distributed to the City’s extensive media distribution list that outlined how media could enter the work zone.  

The City proceeded with bringing the encampment to a close due to significant and intensifying worker and public safety concerns. To ensure worker and public safety, the City requested VPD support to manage access to the active work area. Media were invited and permitted inside, with a dedicated VPD liaison on site at the safe work zone perimeter to facilitate media entry and respond to questions. While a managed perimeter was in place for safety, equating managed access with exclusion remains inaccurate. 
 
The City will continue to establish safe work zones where hazards exist and may request VPD support to ensure the safety of workers and the public. The City remains committed to facilitating media access whenever possible, and to ensure safety for all, such access may be managed through designated entry points, escorts, or other measures.”