A tragedy occurred in Vancouver, Canada, on the 27th (local time), when a vehicle plowed into a crowd during a festival celebrating the Filipino community. Eleven people died, and more than 20 were injured in the significant accident.
Major Canadian media outlets, including CBC, assessed that this incident starkly highlights the unsettling changes in Vancouver, once considered 'the most livable city in the world.'
According to the Vancouver Police Department (VPD), an SUV crashed into the 'Lapu-Lapu Day' festival area on Fraser Street around 8 p.m., resulting in at least 11 fatalities and 24 injuries. The police arrested a 30-year-old Vancouver man on murder charges, stating that 'there are no indications of terrorism.'
Vancouver consistently ranked among the top cities in the evaluation of 'the most livable city in the world' from the early 2000s to the mid-2010s.
In particular, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) residential quality assessment awarded Vancouver the sole top spot for seven consecutive years from 2004 to 2010.
The EIU evaluates five categories, including safety based on crime rates and terrorism threats, as well as culture and environment, medical services, social infrastructure, and education, to rank the most livable cities. After Vancouver held the top position for seven years in 2010, the EIU regarded it as 'a nearly perfect city.'
Vancouver also maintained the top ranking in North America and fifth in the world in the quality of life assessment conducted by the U.S. financial consulting corporation Mercer from 2010 to 2016. Mercer compares 221 major cities each year based on 39 criteria.
However, the image of Vancouver as a safe city has drastically faded since the pandemic (global outbreak) in the 2020s.
CBC, citing data from the Vancouver Police Department, reported that violent crime incidents in the area increased from 5,820 in 2019 when the pandemic began to 6,256 in 2023, a 7.5% rise.
Random assaults, categorized as serious violent crimes, have increased by 16% over the past four years. Additionally, violent crimes associated with mental illnesses and substance dependence account for more than half of all violent crimes.
Al Jazeera noted, 'Although it is not a terrorist incident, the reason this traffic accident draws global attention beyond Canada is that it starkly contrasts with the traditionally maintained image of Vancouver as a “safe city.”'
Since 2018, Vancouver has not placed in the top three in the EIU rankings. Last year, it fell two spots from the sixth position in 2023 to eighth.
Experts analyzed that the increase in Vancouver's crime rate aligns with the surge in housing prices since 2010.
The average housing price in Vancouver soared from about 750,000 Canadian dollars (roughly 780 million won) in 2010 to 1.2 million Canadian dollars (roughly 1.25 billion won) in 2023. Over 13 years, it rose by about 60%, significantly outpacing the wage increase rate of 25% during the same period.
The rising cost of living has led to an increase in homelessness. The number of homeless people in Vancouver grew from 1,500 in 2010 to 2,600 in 2023, a 73% increase. Homeless encampments have spread in the Eastside area, close to downtown.
The low-income population and illegal immigrants centered around the homeless community have been exposed to the fentanyl-centered opioid crisis, which has been prevalent in British Columbia (BC) since 2016.
According to the BC health authorities, the number of overdose deaths skyrocketed from 270 in 2012 to 2,224 in 2021, an increase of more than eight times.
The substance abuse problem has led to increased insecurity and traffic accidents. According to BC, drug-related traffic incidents rose by 34% in 2023 compared to 2017 following the spread of fentanyl.
Reuters reported, 'The crime severity index based on overall crime in Vancouver has increased by 15% since 2015,' adding that 'as drug-related fatalities rise, safety and security programs within Vancouver are facing headwinds.'
If swift institutional improvements and appropriate measures for drugs and mental health are not carried out simultaneously, the 'safe city' reputation that Vancouver prides itself on is expected to become even more precarious moving forward.
Statistics Canada reported, 'In 2023, drug and mental illness-related reports increased by 7% across Canada, with Vancouver recording the highest growth rate among major cities.' It assessed that untreated individuals with mental illnesses have contributed to increasing public safety threats.
Experts diagnosed Vancouver as a typical case where the collapse of housing and social safety nets leads to urban insecurity and a decline in quality of life.
The Washington Post evaluated, 'While Vancouver remains a safe city by North American standards, the perception of safety is diminishing to the point where the brand of 'the most livable city' is losing its relevance.'