It’s been three weeks since the Squamish First Nation erected the first of its six controversial electronic billboards at the south end of the Burrard Bridge in Vancouver.
While many Vancouver residents objected to the electronic signs, which measure three metres high by nine metres wide, the program was approved by the federal government early this year.
As some of you know, Wayne Hunter of Citizens for Responsible Outdoor Advertising is organizing a boycott and has recruited over 10,000 people to sign a petition against the billboards.
Have you signed the petition?
Last modified: December 22, 2009
I don’t want to be mean, but I think it is at least worth considering how the Squamish people have been consistently disenfranchised by both the government and the city of Vancouver, and that they were forcibly removed from the Vanier Park and kitsilano lands in the past. The billboard issue underlies a much larger aboriginal disenfranchisement issue. It is not fair or reasonable to take a position on this without considering this fundamental dimension.
I drove by just last week and noticed the billboard. What’s all the fuss about? It’s a lot more attractive than the Molson sign….
I’m with Christine on this one – I think it looks good. Of course, saying it looks good is a relative thing, an uninterrupted view of the mountains would look better but advertising is a reality we can’t avoid. It’s definitely a lot nicer to look at than a normal billboard.
It’s their piece of land, yes? They have the right to do this.
I’m with Shea on this issue. It’s a bit much for non-aboriginals to be complaining about what they consider to be unsightly signs given what is already out there in our landscape, put up by non-aboriginals. The Squamish are only trying to explore different avenues to increase their economic potential.
It is their land. It isn’t as ugly as the one that Pitt Meadows has that never seems to work and I’ve seen the blue screen of death on.
I noticed they have real ads up now. I think they look better than those ugly static billboards you see along the road to Victoria from the Swartz Bay Terminal. Ugh old, rarely updated, falling apart.
The only thing about these large electronic billboards I have is how they are so bright and distracting while driving. Especially at night, but then again whatever could have been worse!
“It’s their land, they can do what they want” Oh really? Can I put a billboard up on my property? Didn’t think so. They have been MORE than compensated for their past inconveniences. When does it end?
Face it, Vancouver has lost most of the character it had as to demo/construction. The town is disposable and has less and less historic architectural interest – these signs are the least of the problem.
The courts have already agreed that this is part of their existing rights, so anyone who would like to see these billboards stopped is basically proposing to take rights away from the First Nation. Old habits die hard with some people, I guess.
Amazing that VANOC would approve of this. I can imagine they’d be torn between their respect of First Nations’ rights and the eyesore that it will have come showtime in February. Still, this is no place for a billboard. Burrard Bridge is a historic landmark. I would compare it to putting a billboard on the Eiffel Tower or up the Space Needle.
Get rid of that Bowmac/Toys R Us monstrosity first. Seriously, that ugly hunk of metal is a heritage item to be protected? From what? Obviously not getting covered up with an even uglier and tackier sign.
ariane c:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tour_Eiffel_Citroen.jpg
With all the advertising us descendants of the settlers who pushed the First Nations out of their lands inflict on each other, it seems hypocritical and mean to deny them the right to earn some income from what little lands we have allowed them to keep. It’s not even a very big sign – surley there are more things to protest about than this?
Mark said – “It\’s their land, they can do what they want†Oh really? Can I put a billboard up on my property? Didn\’t think so. They have been MORE than compensated for their past inconveniences. When does it end?”
Hey Mark, if we’re talking comparisons, how about I walk univited into “your property”, set up camp in your living room and “invite” you to relocate to somewhere else of my choosing?
Looking at where these signs are in Kits, they don’t block any view so I will not sign the petition since the signs merely block the view of a few trees from Burrard Bridge (see above photo). Too much NIMBYism on this issue. Let’s move on and deal with real problems in Vancouver (like homelessness).
Let them do as they please. The only thing more satisfying than an indigenous people actually taking a step forward for themselves is watching the reaction of people such as ‘Mark’ above who would rather let them does as he pleases.
There are lots of ways to make good with the Squamish Nation, but putting up a giant TV in the heart of Kits is not a solution, it’s visual pollution. If you like giant moving billboards then move to NYC. Lets keep Kits and Vancouver in whole billboard free!