#vanpoli — Public Fediverse posts

and we think this is a good thing?

#BCpoli #Vanpoli

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canada-place-cruise-ship-vancouver-2026-season-activity

The Vancouver School Board has nearly doubled the number of senior administrators it employs since 2014, while enrolment has increased by less than one per cent in the same period, a Tyee analysis reveals.

Katie Hyslop reports. #bced #vaned #vanpoli

https://thetyee.ca/News/2026/05/07/VSB-Increase-Management-Staff-Sparks-Criticism/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=editorial

OneCity 2026 Nomination Race

If you’re one of the more than 4000 members of OneCity, you have some hard decisions to make over the next week. Your vote will pick:

• 4 city council candidates (who will join Lucy Maloney on the ballot)
• 5 school board candidates
• 3 park board candidates

Actually, one of these decisions is easy. There are only 3 park board candidates and 3 spots. But for school board there is 6 school board nominees. And the really, really hard choice is narrowing the field of 11 highly qualified council nominees down to 4.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/canadianveggie/55210933711/

Council

The 11 OneCity council nominees are all excellent and it’s a real shame the unity agreement limits them to running 5 (including Lucy). I might be a bit biased, but it is arguably a much stronger field than COPE and the Greens are choosing from. Here is the full list of nominees from all parties for reference.

Regardless, the task to members is to rank everyone. The good news is, whomever places in the top 4, they will have an excellent chance of beating ABC in October and making positive change in Vancouver over the next 4 years. Here is how I plan on ranking my ballot.

1. Iona Bonamis – Great advocate for better transportation in the city – especially walking, cycling, and public transit. I’ve personally seen how hard she works to make Vancouver a better place to live. She came so close last time and I’m sure she’ll be a great city councillor when she wins this time.
2. Peter Waldkirch – He’s really impressed me more than anyone over the campaign. I learned a lot from the walking tour he gave through Fairview and Mount Pleasant. This guy understands zoning and housing like no one else. He also had one of the best answers at the debate as he talked about how dense, walkable neighbourhoods as a carbon reduction and climate adaptation strategy. Also a wicked accordion player.
   
   The top 2 for me are clear winners. Iona and Peter are both highly qualified, highly electable, and would bring real change to City Hall. I’ve gone back and forth on who should be number one, but I really hope both make it. Ranking the rest is a little harder.
   
3. Caitlin Stockwell – Ran for Park board in 2022 and almost won a spot. Committed environmentalist who wants to see more cycling. She was the only candidate that talked about reconciliation during the debate and did a great job.
4. Frances Bula – Her blog and newspaper articles are how I learned about Vancouver politics. I don’t think there is anyone with a deeper understanding of how this city works. Her politics are a bit unclear, but she seems committed to OneCity’s policies.
5. Russil Wvong – I voted for Russil last election. He’s similar to Peter in that he understands zoning and housing deeply. He’s also a software engineer and I have a personal affinity toward nerds.
6. Mike Tan – Small business and Chinatown advocate. Part of the Builder slate with Iona, Frances, and Jarrett.
7. Armor Valor – Love his enthusiasm and his focus on workers rights. During the debate he talked about increasing density around hospitals and care homes.
8. Jarrett Hagglund – Another housing advocate, but with a huge emphasis on co-ops.
   
   I could see arranging my 3-8 votes in a different order. There are upsides to all of them. My bottom 3 are:
   
9. Ashley Fehr – I was impressed with her energy when I met her in person, but she really struggled in the debate.
10. Azeem Ali – I love that he represents the neighbourhoods in South Vancouver, but I’m not crazy about his Vancouver Investment Guarantee to ensure each neighbourhood gets the same spending from city programs.
11. Aaron Chapman – Someone has to be last. As a historian, he brings an interesting lens, but I don’t think he has what it takes to be a politician.

I know the Abundant Housing folks are ranking Peter and Russil 1-2. And the alliance that has formed between Iona, Frances, Mike, and Jarrett – the OneCity Builders – will be a strong force if they can convince their voters to back the slate. I took that into consideration with my list, but ended up choosing the candidates I personally thought were the best.

Two notes about my list:

• Even if my top 4 candidates win, a lot of great candidates will lose. This is going to hurt.
• It’s really hard to pick a representative slate with only 4 ranked choices.

If you missed it, here’s the full council debate – it’s great for hearing the candidates talk policy and get a sense of how they would perform on council.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knuq9tK9fgo

School Board

There’s not a lot separating the 6 school board candidates who are running for 5 spots. They’re all excellent and will do a great job replacing incumbent Jennifer Ready. 5 of the candidates have cross-endorsed each other, leaving Christopher Lee out but I really like him (and not just because of his name). My ranking is.

1. Sherry Breshears – DPAC and Dyslexia BC
2. Krista Sigurdson – Barely missed a spot in 2022. I’m glad she’s back. Another DPAC member.
3. Steve Cardwell – Former Superintendent who really understands the school board.
4. Christopher Lee – School boards should have a stronger youth voice
5. Kareem Hassib – Involved in student politics at UBC. Smart guy.
6. Rory Brown – former President of the Vancouver Secondary Teachers Association. Feels weird ranking him last when he also ran in 2022 and came close to winning, but all 6 nominees are excellent and someone needs to be last.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPdZbqAbr80&t=1620s

Park Board

No need to rank the park candidates, as the only choose will be to acclaim or not. But if I did have to rank them, the order would be.

1. John Irwin
2. Dominic Denofrio
3. Tyler Petersen

Summary

Voting runs May 3-10. See the OneCity How to Vote page for more details.

If you have a pitch for why a candidate should be ranked higher, leave a comment. It might change someone’s mind.

FIFA is an absolute fucking trash organization.

https://cityhallwatch.wordpress.com/2026/03/25/pne-skateboard-park-closure-for-fifa/

#VancouverPolitics #VancouverPoli #VanPoli #BritishColumbiaPolitics #BritishColumbiaPoli #BCPoli #CanadaPolitics #CanadaPoli #CanPoli #VancouverBritishColumbiaCanada #VancouverBritishColumbia #Vancouver #VancouverBCCanada #VancouverBC #BritishColumbiaCanada #BCCanada #BritishColumbia

This is all warped fiscal conservative thinking, like cutting Coast Guard stations will save money - it won't

These councillors and gov staff recommending cuts to first responders hate anything to do with public safety

It just downloads response to other services

#YVR #Vanpoli #Vancouver #BCpoli

https://www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/article/cutting-seasonal-lifeguards-on-beaches-will-save-up-to-600k-vancouver-park-board-says/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub

I hate this #BadNews - more wasting of tax dollars for more fascist cop BS!

"Vancouver and Victoria police departments will fund the program themselves."

That means taxpayers are funding these #PoliceAcademies. We are the ones who pay these bigot, badged bungholios - obviously not by our choice.

Our municipal/provincial/federal governments are all bootlicking bastards.

Read more at: https://saanichnews.com/2026/03/06/b-c-allowing-vancouver-and-victoria-to-create-independent-police-academies/

#YYJpoli #VanPoli #VictoriaBC #Vancouver #BCpoli #ACAB #FuckThePolice #AlwaysFilmCops #TaxpayersRipOff #CopsIncreaseCrime #CopsBringViolence #CopsLie #YYJ #YVR #KickBootlickers #BCNDP

@thetyee

This should be a #VanPoli election issue in 2026.

Vancouver Mayor Sim & ABC Party cut core services and staff. Yet...

🏢 Their Real Estate & Facilities Management dept. "routinely instructed appraisers to value city land based on the previous zoning and to ignore the new rezoning" and “may have understated value by 20-40%” for min. 3 properties.

🤑 "Basing sale prices on previous zoning means that the purchaser-developer -- not the city -- collects the value of the land lift, which is often many millions of dollars."

#VanRE #VanElxn

@thetyee

This should be a #VanPoli election issue in 2026.

Vancouver Mayor Sim & ABC Party cut core services and staff. Yet...

🏢 Their Real Estate & Facilities Management dept. "routinely instructed appraisers to value city land based on the previous zoning and to ignore the new rezoning" and “may have understated value by 20-40%” for min. 3 properties.

🤑 "Basing sale prices on previous zoning means that the purchaser-developer -- not the city -- collects the value of the land lift, which is often many millions of dollars."

#VanRE #VanElxn

@thetyee

This should be a #VanPoli election issue in 2026.

Vancouver Mayor Sim & ABC Party cut core services and staff. Yet...

🏢 Their Real Estate & Facilities Management dept. "routinely instructed appraisers to value city land based on the previous zoning and to ignore the new rezoning" and “may have understated value by 20-40%” for min. 3 properties.

🤑 "Basing sale prices on previous zoning means that the purchaser-developer -- not the city -- collects the value of the land lift, which is often many millions of dollars."

#VanRE #VanElxn

@thetyee

This should be a #VanPoli election issue in 2026.

Vancouver Mayor Sim & ABC Party cut core services and staff. Yet...

🏢 Their Real Estate & Facilities Management dept. "routinely instructed appraisers to value city land based on the previous zoning and to ignore the new rezoning" and “may have understated value by 20-40%” for min. 3 properties.

🤑 "Basing sale prices on previous zoning means that the purchaser-developer -- not the city -- collects the value of the land lift, which is often many millions of dollars."

#VanRE #VanElxn

@thetyee

This should be a #VanPoli election issue in 2026.

Vancouver Mayor Sim & ABC Party cut core services and staff. Yet...

🏢 Their Real Estate & Facilities Management dept. "routinely instructed appraisers to value city land based on the previous zoning and to ignore the new rezoning" and “may have understated value by 20-40%” for min. 3 properties.

🤑 "Basing sale prices on previous zoning means that the purchaser-developer -- not the city -- collects the value of the land lift, which is often many millions of dollars."

#VanRE #VanElxn

2026 is a municipal election year for City of Vancouver. This is an additional bad look for Mayor Sim and the majority ABC Party:

The Office of the Auditor General reported:

"out of the 16 transactions 14 were initiated by potential buyers or developers and not the city"...

"Vancouver has largely been reacting to offers and not “proactively” using its land portfolio to advance priorities like affordable housing."

#VanRE #VanPoli #BCpoli

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/auditor-general-city-of-vancouver-land-sales-report-9.7080267

2026 is a municipal election year for City of Vancouver. This is an additional bad look for Mayor Sim and the majority ABC Party:

The Office of the Auditor General reported:

"out of the 16 transactions 14 were initiated by potential buyers or developers and not the city"...

"Vancouver has largely been reacting to offers and not “proactively” using its land portfolio to advance priorities like affordable housing."

#VanRE #VanPoli #BCpoli

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/auditor-general-city-of-vancouver-land-sales-report-9.7080267

2026 is a municipal election year for City of Vancouver. This is an additional bad look for Mayor Sim and the majority ABC Party:

The Office of the Auditor General reported:

"out of the 16 transactions 14 were initiated by potential buyers or developers and not the city"...

"Vancouver has largely been reacting to offers and not “proactively” using its land portfolio to advance priorities like affordable housing."

#VanRE #VanPoli #BCpoli

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/auditor-general-city-of-vancouver-land-sales-report-9.7080267

2026 is a municipal election year for City of Vancouver. This is an additional bad look for Mayor Sim and the majority ABC Party:

The Office of the Auditor General reported:

"out of the 16 transactions 14 were initiated by potential buyers or developers and not the city"...

"Vancouver has largely been reacting to offers and not “proactively” using its land portfolio to advance priorities like affordable housing."

#VanRE #VanPoli #BCpoli

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/auditor-general-city-of-vancouver-land-sales-report-9.7080267

2026 is a municipal election year for City of Vancouver. This is an additional bad look for Mayor Sim and the majority ABC Party:

The Office of the Auditor General reported:

"out of the 16 transactions 14 were initiated by potential buyers or developers and not the city"...

"Vancouver has largely been reacting to offers and not “proactively” using its land portfolio to advance priorities like affordable housing."

#VanRE #VanPoli #BCpoli

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/auditor-general-city-of-vancouver-land-sales-report-9.7080267

“I didn’t know if it was a mosque or a church. It looked like both. I just wanted a connection.”

Over nearly three decades, the Carnegie Learning Centre has demonstrated what’s possible when a university reaches beyond its campus borders to partner with community service providers — and sticks to its commitment.

Michelle Stack and Suzanne Smythe write. #vanpoli #bced

https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/2026/01/26/Vital-Bridge-Higher-Ed-Downtown-Eastside/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=editorial

🚨 Mayor Sim & ABC Party strikes again, disdain for Vancouverites. Profit over people of #Vancouver

@lidsville posted on 🦋 @lidsville.bsky.social‬:

"So, last night [Dec 11, 2025] the ruling ABC Vancouver party and mayor cut short a crucial public hearing by 4 hours so they could attend the Christmas party of the real estate developers' assn (UDI).

There was a motion to keep the hearing going, but they voted it down. #vanpoli. #vanre"

[source: https://bsky.app/profile/lidsville.bsky.social/post/3m7sqagrxps2r]

👀 One Vancouverite replied, pointed out:

"ABC wasn't just going to the developers' Christmas party, it was cutting the hearing over turning the Downtown Eastside into tower$$$$"

One friend of mayor, a disgraced former CEO of an athleisure brand, stands to benefit perhaps?

🚨 Mayor Sim & ABC Party strikes again, disdain for Vancouverites. Profit over people of #Vancouver

@lidsville posted on 🦋 @lidsville.bsky.social‬:

"So, last night [Dec 11, 2025] the ruling ABC Vancouver party and mayor cut short a crucial public hearing by 4 hours so they could attend the Christmas party of the real estate developers' assn (UDI).

There was a motion to keep the hearing going, but they voted it down. #vanpoli. #vanre"

[source: https://bsky.app/profile/lidsville.bsky.social/post/3m7sqagrxps2r]

👀 One Vancouverite replied, pointed out:

"ABC wasn't just going to the developers' Christmas party, it was cutting the hearing over turning the Downtown Eastside into tower$$$$"

One friend of mayor, a disgraced former CEO of an athleisure brand, stands to benefit perhaps?

🚨 Mayor Sim & ABC Party strikes again, disdain for Vancouverites. Profit over people of #Vancouver

@lidsville posted on 🦋 @lidsville.bsky.social‬:

"So, last night [Dec 11, 2025] the ruling ABC Vancouver party and mayor cut short a crucial public hearing by 4 hours so they could attend the Christmas party of the real estate developers' assn (UDI).

There was a motion to keep the hearing going, but they voted it down. #vanpoli. #vanre"

[source: https://bsky.app/profile/lidsville.bsky.social/post/3m7sqagrxps2r]

👀 One Vancouverite replied, pointed out:

"ABC wasn't just going to the developers' Christmas party, it was cutting the hearing over turning the Downtown Eastside into tower$$$$"

One friend of mayor, a disgraced former CEO of an athleisure brand, stands to benefit perhaps?

🚨 Mayor Sim & ABC Party strikes again, disdain for Vancouverites. Profit over people of #Vancouver

@lidsville posted on 🦋 @lidsville.bsky.social‬:

"So, last night [Dec 11, 2025] the ruling ABC Vancouver party and mayor cut short a crucial public hearing by 4 hours so they could attend the Christmas party of the real estate developers' assn (UDI).

There was a motion to keep the hearing going, but they voted it down. #vanpoli. #vanre"

[source: https://bsky.app/profile/lidsville.bsky.social/post/3m7sqagrxps2r]

👀 One Vancouverite replied, pointed out:

"ABC wasn't just going to the developers' Christmas party, it was cutting the hearing over turning the Downtown Eastside into tower$$$$"

One friend of mayor, a disgraced former CEO of an athleisure brand, stands to benefit perhaps?

🚨 Mayor Sim & ABC Party strikes again, disdain for Vancouverites. Profit over people of #Vancouver

@lidsville posted on 🦋 @lidsville.bsky.social‬:

"So, last night [Dec 11, 2025] the ruling ABC Vancouver party and mayor cut short a crucial public hearing by 4 hours so they could attend the Christmas party of the real estate developers' assn (UDI).

There was a motion to keep the hearing going, but they voted it down. #vanpoli. #vanre"

[source: https://bsky.app/profile/lidsville.bsky.social/post/3m7sqagrxps2r]

👀 One Vancouverite replied, pointed out:

"ABC wasn't just going to the developers' Christmas party, it was cutting the hearing over turning the Downtown Eastside into tower$$$$"

One friend of mayor, a disgraced former CEO of an athleisure brand, stands to benefit perhaps?

Last week, Vancouver city staff sparked confusion when they suggested council vote to end the terms of 10 of 11 community advisory committees seven months earlier than planned.

Less than a day before the council meeting, the report on the changes meant to be voted on was withdrawn from the agenda.

#vanpoli #bced

https://thetyee.ca/News/2025/12/10/Vancouver-Backs-Down-Cutting-Advisory-Committees/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=editorial

After two years of FOI requests, the Vancouver police finally let The Tyee review some training modules for the SLO program. Katie Hyslop reports. #vanpoli #bced

https://thetyee.ca/News/2025/11/25/Finally-Info-School-Liaison-Officer-Training/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=editorial

The change came a year-and-a-half after the VPD told The Tyee that releasing the names and school assignments would be a potential threat to the physical and mental health and safety of the officers and others.

The Tyee first requested them on Dec. 6, 2023.

Katie Hyslop reports. #bced #vanpoli

https://thetyee.ca/News/2025/11/17/Vancouver-Police-Reveal-Names-School-Liaison-Officers/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=editorial

"Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim is planning to eliminate the city's sustainability and climate department under the guise of a push to prevent increases to property taxes"...

https://www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/11/news/ken-sim-elimiate-vancouver-sustainability-climate

2/5

#Vancouver #ClimateChange #ActOnClimate #VanPoli

Vancouverites can request to speak to mayor Sim & ABC Party's elimination of #Vancouver climate & sustainability department and other core services.

Special Council meeting, 2026 budget - Wed Nov 12, 2025 (in-person or via phone)

1/5

#ClimateChange #ActOnClimate #VanPoli

https://vancouver.ca/your-government/request-to-speak-at-meeting-form-3.aspx

A Vancouver school board trustee is disappointed after her motion to improve transparency was amended to allow private board meetings at the school board’s discretion and to delete public recordings of meetings after one year.

Katie Hyslop reports. #bced #vanpoli

https://thetyee.ca/News/2025/11/06/Vancouver-School-Board-Keeps-Private-Meetings/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=editorial

A #Vancouver tech real estate company "admits to trading $26 million in securities over 7 years without being registered, contrary to the Securities Act"

"Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, an investor in Addy, appeared at events hosted by the company both before and after his election in 2022."

#VanPoli #VanRE #transparency

https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/addy-vancouver-unregistered-trading

A #Vancouver tech real estate company "admits to trading $26 million in securities over 7 years without being registered, contrary to the Securities Act"

"Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, an investor in Addy, appeared at events hosted by the company both before and after his election in 2022."

#VanPoli #VanRE #transparency

https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/addy-vancouver-unregistered-trading

A #Vancouver tech real estate company "admits to trading $26 million in securities over 7 years without being registered, contrary to the Securities Act"

"Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, an investor in Addy, appeared at events hosted by the company both before and after his election in 2022."

#VanPoli #VanRE #transparency

https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/addy-vancouver-unregistered-trading

A #Vancouver tech real estate company "admits to trading $26 million in securities over 7 years without being registered, contrary to the Securities Act"

"Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, an investor in Addy, appeared at events hosted by the company both before and after his election in 2022."

#VanPoli #VanRE #transparency

https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/addy-vancouver-unregistered-trading

A #Vancouver tech real estate company "admits to trading $26 million in securities over 7 years without being registered, contrary to the Securities Act"

"Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, an investor in Addy, appeared at events hosted by the company both before and after his election in 2022."

#VanPoli #VanRE #transparency

https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/addy-vancouver-unregistered-trading

"Vancouver pays the highest amount of user fees out of any municipality already... the [proportion of tax] that goes to parks and recreation is lower than any other municipality. Trying to corporatize the parks and recreation system isn't a panacea — it doesn't solve anything"

#Vancouver #VanPoli #VanRE

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/park-board-naming-rights-1.7437559

*Related to my post from yesterday.

#BCNDP's #HousingHub program is coming under #scrutiny after one #TaxpayerSubsidized #RentalBuilding in #Vancouver's #Kitsilano neighbourhood, touted as "affordable", is now listing units for $2,600 per month for a studio & $4,200 per month for a 2 bedroom unit.

The listed #RentalPrices are well above provincial #AffordableHousing thresholds & one #housing #researcher says it's an example of how difficult it is to build #AffordableRental buildings when market prices are so far beyond what average #renters can afford.

The leader of the #BCGreenParty called it an "infuriating" #misuse of #TaxpayerDollars.

The #BCNDPgovernment provided a $31.8 million #LowInterestLoan to Vancouver developer #JamesonDevelopmentCorp. for the 68-unit rental building through the HousingHub program, which is aimed at providing housing to middle-income renters shut out of the real estate market.

#BCPremier #DavidEby, who was the minister -responsible for housing at the time, was quoted in a December 2021 government news release announcing the project.

"Our government is investing in more affordable housing for people who work and live in Vancouver, and throughout B.C." he said.

The building at 1807 Larch St., called the L2, is set to be complete next month & is now advertising units.

According to the building's website, a 400-square foot studio apartment starts at $2,599 a month & a 840-square foot two-bedroom, two-bath unit is listed for $4,299 a month.

https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.7288112

#YYJpoli #VanPoli #YVR #BCpoli #CDNpoli #HousingForAll #HousingCrisis #HousingFirst #EndCorporateWelfare #BChousing #Corruption #BCNDPFailures

Documents obtained by The Tyee paint a horrific picture of life in a government-owned single-room occupancy hotel that was sheltering vulnerable youth and people with severe mental illness. @jenstden reports. #SRO #DTES #VanPoli

https://thetyee.ca/News/2024/03/18/Tenants-Lived-Filthy-Violent-Government-SRO/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=editorial

Affordable Housing Has Become Unaffordable to Build

A ‘perfect storm’ of rising costs makes it hard to keep rents low, say non-profits

https://thetyee.ca/News/2023/08/31/Affordable-Housing-Unaffordable-Build/

This is a Vancouver-centric story, but I have seen exactly the same things happen in Victoria through my work with #VicCoolAid

#AffordableHousing #homelessness #nonprofit #coop #bcpoli #yyjpoli #vanpoli

That's interesting. I missed this announcement last month. Well, announcement, it's just a concept at this point.

I used to live literally next door to this campus in two different buildings, was renovicted from the 2nd one in 2016. will be watching it closely.
https://vancouversun.com/opinion/columnists/dan-fumano-vccs-trail-blazing-plan-includes-thousands-of-homes-for-east-vancouver
#vanpoli #housing #VCC