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Vancouver Food Trucks Need Review: Councillor

Vancouver Food Trucks vs. Restaurants

A Vancouver city councillor is asking council to support the independent restaurant industry by taking another look at the city's popular food trucks.

"The enormous success of our food cart and truck vendors should not be at the expense of brick and mortar businesses that pay property tax, employ thousands of people, and generate millions of dollars for Vancouver's economy," said George Affleck in a news release on Tuesday.

Vancouver's food trucks have taken off in popularity in recent years, with the city planning to expand its 103 food carts and trucks to 133 by 2014.

But the B.C. Restaurants and Food Services Association has asked for a slowdown of additional licences, stating that competition between restaurants and food trucks is not "balanced." They want a moratorium on new food trucks in Vancouver pending a review of the current program's policies.

Affleck has submitted a motion to be heard at city hall next Tuesday, supporting the group's call for a review.

"We as councillors were directly approached by independent restaurant owners in the city before Christmas," said Affleck. "That is why I am asking that staff review the existing licences, our enforcement efforts and to bring forward a recommendation once that review has occurred."

He said he believes a "beneficial outcome for both street vendors and our local restaurant industry can be achieved."

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