The Uncertain Future of Granville Island

Since its transformation in the 1970s, Granville Island has become one of Canada’s most popular destinations and an important arts hub for Metro Vancouver. But with aging buildings and mounting financial pressures, the island faces an uncertain future.

Join us for a public screening and panel discussion of About Here's latest video: "The Uncertain Future of Granville Island". Following the screening, there will be a panel discussion on the opportunities and challenges for Granville Island in the years ahead.

Seating is limited so please reserve a ticket to attend. Plus, yur reservation comes with a free drink ticket courtesy of Granville Island!

Event Details

• June 4, 2025
• Waterfront Theatre
• 1412 Cartwright St.

Event Schedule

• 6:15pm - Doors open for drinks, snacks, and getting to know each other
• 7pm - Screening + Panel Discussion
• 8:30pm - More drinks and mingling until 9:15pm
  

About your panelists

Uytae Lee (Moderator): Uytae Lee produces videos that educate and engage the public on urban planning issues. He is the founder of ‘About Here’, a creative studio dedicated to helping people understand their cities better. In addition to his video work, Uytae is an adjunct professor at the UBC School of Journalism and a commissioner on the board of BC Housing.

Mike Harcourt: Mike Harcourt was Vancouver’s Mayor for three terms from 1980 to 1986. He was BC’s Leader of the Opposition from 1986-1991, then BC’s Premier from 1991 to 1996. From 1996 to the present he’s served on a number of Boards- the Vancouver Airport Authority, Vancouver Port Authority, National Roundtable on the Environment and Economy, the Nisgaa and Musqueam Development Corporations, and the BC Treaty Commission.

Sirish Rao: Sirish Rao is an internationally recognized arts leader, writer, and cultural innovator. A trained Himalayan mountain guide, Sirish seeks adventure, embraces risk, and holds a deep respect for the natural world in all the work he does. He has founded multiple cultural organizations and initiatives across Asia, Europe and North America and is a risk-embracer known for experimentation, innovation and driving social and systemic change. Since 2023, Sirish has been a part of the senior leadership team at the Vancouver Art Gallery in the newly created role of Director of Public Engagement & Learning.

Thomas Lancaster: Tom Lancaster is the General Manager of CMHC-Granville Island. Tom has more than twenty years of experience in planning, consulting and advisory roles. He has worked locally, across Canada, and internationally with First Nations Bands, local, regional and Provincial governments, as well as developers and non-profit organizations. Before starting his career in planning, Tom worked internationally in community-based ecosystem renewal, where his passion for improving local environments was born.

Rebecca Bligh: Rebecca Bligh is a two-term Councillor in the City of Vancouver, President of the Federation of the Canadian Municipalities (FCM), and a Director at Metro Vancouver Regional District.Councillor Bligh is focused on building a City that every Vancouverite can afford to call home. She has championed motions to uplift the Downtown Eastside, improve economic development, and sustainable transportation options and updating regulations to unleash new sustainable housing construction. Central to Councillor Bligh’s approach is a commitment to fact-based, thoughtful public policy that balances fiscal responsibility with the need to create a liveable, inclusive city for all.

In 2024, Councillor Bligh was elected President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), where she advocates for municipalities across the country to the federal government for more funding to build housing, transit, and infrastructure projects - benefiting Vancouver and many cities nationwide.

Councillor Bligh lives with her partner Laura and has two adult children.

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