The left remains fractured as the VDLC backs William Azaroff and OneCity. Ken Sim and ABC face scrutiny over reversing the natural gas ban, blocking Vision Zero speed reductions, dismissing code of conduct violations and shuttering a proposed Yaletown overdoe prevention site. But at least we have the World Cup coming to town! In Surrey, the police chief was fired. The mayor of Port Moody faces challenges from the left and right. And Richmond schools debate ribbons. Links Stephanie Allen named COPE candidate in crowded Vancouver mayoral race | CBC News VDLC endorses Azaroff and OneCity slate Former OneCity council candidate Armor Valor joins Vancouver Liberals Vancouver passes mayor’s motion to pause emissions tracking, ban on natural gas heating in new homes | CBC News Vancouver council backs away from reducing speed limits on major roads | CBC News Vancouver mayor decries ‘misinformation’ after saying he uses 11 AI agents to do work | CBC News Overdose prevention site in Vancouver’s downtown core not reopening: minister | CBC News Vancouver mayor won’t be sanctioned for harassing, personally attacking councillor B.C. government modelling predicts hosting FIFA will produce lasting benefits. History tells a different story | CBC News Doug McCallum calls for investigation into Surrey police chief firing | Maple Ridge News Paul Lambert launches bid to become Port Moody mayor Metro Vancouver enters Stage 3 water restrictions as snowpack melts a month early – BC | Globalnews.ca Elementary school track meet changes spark backlash in Richmond, B.C. Richmond school district seeks feedback on gender-neutral, no-ribbon track meet Vancouveratta Vancouver International Festival | The Canadian Encyclopedia

Vancouver’s centre-left has reached a unity deal that ensures they can still split the vote. Elections BC releases the parties annual reports, giving us a glimpse into everyone’s financial situation. Candidates are lining up to be mayor in New West, Surrey and West Van. Vancouver council agrees to play nice, while Ken Sim wants to fund community centres and Major League Baseball without raising your taxes. The BC Government wants councils to be nicer to one another and give councillors parental leave. North Van says no to chlorine production and we look at Vancouver’s drink history. Links Progressive agreement Trio of progressive parties agree to cap candidates in upcoming Vancouver election | CBC News Colleen Hardwick picked by TEAM for mayor 2025 Annual Financial Reports Available | Elections BC After 4 years of council fights, New Westminster has a clear mayoral race in October | CBC News Kirk LaPointe Announces Candidacy for Mayor of West Vancouver Vancouver council approves respectful discourse pledge as mayor faces defamation suit Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim’s response to defamation lawsuit states Sean Orr ‘supported drug use’ | CBC News  Upcoming motion to propose $400M investment into aging Vancouver community centres | CBC News ‘There’s a lot of excitement’: Vancouver mayor Ken Sim explains desire for MLB expansion bid – Sportsnet.ca  Improving conduct standards for local governments Post by @jmcelroy.bsky.social Introducing parental leave for local elected officials District of North Vancouver rejects Chemtrade chlorine proposal Background Campaign against B.C. chlorine plant was secretly funded by rival | CBC News Who invented the London Fog? – Vancouver Is Awesome We’ve Been Making the ‘Vancouver Cocktail’ Wrong for 15 Years… – Scout Magazine  

Ken Sim maybe told people Sean Orr is a drug dealer based on a dodgy photo but he’s really sorry. Candidates are announcing their intention to run for election. Some housing is going ahead, some isn’t and Vancouver impedes on Maritime Law. Links Matthew on Global BC Today Vancouver councillor calls his opponents drug users and dealers in social media video | CBC News Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim says comments about councillor Sean Orr came from an unverified photo – BC | Globalnews.ca COPE Councillor Considering Next Steps After Mayor’s False Drug Accusations | The Tyee Vancouver Coun. Sean Orr sues Mayor Ken Sim for defamation | CBC News Sean Orr is Suing Ken Sim – Help Fund the Fight 2026 Candidates for Nomination – OneCity Vancouver Vancouver Green Candidates Andy Lin alleges Green disqualification Candidates & Caucus – Vancouver Liberals Vote Vancouver candidates Post by @anjaliappadurai.bsky.social Burnaby’s ruling party announces council candidates for October election – Freshet News Annis reveals 4 Surrey First candidates for councillor, for 2026 election Surrey First council candidate withdraws UPDATE: Doug McCallum doesn’t want a SkyTrain station named after him | Surrey Now-Leader Our Team – Imagine Surrey Register of Elector Organizations Muhammad Ahmad for Mayor (@muhammadformayor) • Instagram photos and videos Vancouver council says proposal for 924 rental homes too dense, lacks amenities City enters deal with B.C. to close 3 Vancouver SROs in entertainment district City Council approves first Vancouver Official Development Plan Vancouver city staff recommend dropping Mayor Ken Sim’s bitcoin motion | CBC News Vancouver airport parkade might never be finished, construction halted 6 years ago – BC | Globalnews.ca Vancouver to remove lifeguards from some beaches for 2026 season Opposition mounts to hydrotherapy barge plan for public dock at Vancouver Maritime Museum Finnish company proposes 250-room floating hotel on Vancouver waterfront Oakridge Park – Wikipedia Oakridge—The Postwar History of a Densifying Neighbourhood | MONTECRISTO

William Azaroff wins the OneCity mayoral nomination and his first act is a “progressive primary” ultimatum to COPE and the Greens. The Liberals pick up another candidate and nominations for council seats are underway. Lucy Maloney wants councillors to attend in person, the Olympic Village school is further delayed, Langara Gardens is going ahead, and so is a city-owned development on the Main Street McDonalds. The City’s Auditor General has two damning reports. Links Pete Fry announces candidacy for mayor William Azaroff chosen as OneCity Vancouver’s mayoral candidate | CBC News William Azaroff Progressive Primary – OneCity COPE responds The Greens respond Vancouver Liberals add park board commissioner Brennan Bastyovanszky to team Run with Vote Vancouver Team For A Livable Vancouver To Run Candidates For Mayor, Council, School And Park Board In This Fall’s Election   Mayor Ken Sim Announces Re-Election Bid, Vows to Keep Fighting for Vancouver Former MLA launches Imagine Surrey mayoral run and city councillor slate | Urbanized Former MLA Mike Starchuk enters 2026 mayoral race in Surrey | Vancouver Sun Imagine Surrey  Vancouver councillor wants to ‘eliminate double standards’ on remote work at city hall Residents, parents address city hall over proposed Olympic Village school Langara Gardens: 2,600 new homes approved by Vancouver City Council for Cambie Corridor site Approved Science World rental towers could raise $700 million for City of Vancouver | Urbanized Vancouver’s auditor general criticizes city over lack of paper trail for lost developer amenities | CBC News Vancouver missed out on millions as land deals were struck without proper strategy: report Park Board seeking new permanent attraction for Stanley Park Train site | Urbanized Vancouver council approves increase of slots from 600 to 900 at downtown casino Coquitlam Mountie fired over vulgar messages in group chats – CTV News Richard Marpole – Wikipedia This Week in History: 1920 The CPR’s Richard Marpole dies | Vancouver Sun Bill Miner – Wikipedia

We’re back and this time intend to stay back as this election is shaping up to be chaotic with Ken Sim seeking re-election, Pete Fry launching a bid for mayor and the Vancouver Liberals getting their first caucus members in 90 years. Sim is praising his zero percent property tax increase budget but city employees are not happy. Council can agree on one thing: Headlights are too damn bright. Housing looks shaky but we are building on industrial land. And the dump will continue to take your trash. Links Ranking how much Vancouver councillors have distanced themselves from Mayor Ken Sim Ken Sim ‘pivots’ from park board and bitcoin, pushes safety and affordability in re-election bid | CBC News Could Pete Fry soon announce a mayoral run? Green Party of Vancouver endorses Pete Fry for Mayor or Council in 2026 Municipal Election Ex-ABC Vancouver politician joins new civic party to seek re-election School Board chair to run for Vancouver City Council in civic election | Urbanized New civic Liberals party propose amalgamating University Endowment Lands with City of Vancouver Vancouver City Council approves 2026 Budget with 0% property tax increase ‘Deceitful and unfair’: Vancouver municipal workers’ union files complaint alleging bad-faith negotiation Vancouver council votes down living wage motion three years after scrapping policy Vancouver city council calls on feds to address headlight brightness | CBC News Vancouver mayoral candidate pitches $200-million traffic signal coordination plan | Urbanized B.C. home prices at risk of 27% jump by 2032 due to delayed construction | Urbanized Vancouver city council approves massive 2-tower VGH expansion Going against advice of city staff, Vancouver council approves residential tower on industrial land City eyes federal and provincial loans to demolish downtown Vancouver viaducts | Urbanized Vancouver Landfill to stay open until 2050 under new regional agreement  Vancouveratta Everett Crowley Park – Wikipedia Vancouver’s Forgotten Monuments TikTok video

OneCity Vancouver is in the midst of their mayoral nomination contest, so we spoke to the two candidates: William Azaroff and Amanda Burrows about why they want to lead the city. Learn more: William Azaroff Amanda Burrows

Just one year to go until voters across Metro Vancouver go to the polls to elect their next mayors and city councils. New Westminster Mayor Patrick Johnstone joins Ian to preview the races to watch across the region, and whether Vancouver is facing a referendum or not. Life After Cars event on Nov 8 Vancouver residents will have say on park board’s future Mayor Ken Sim provides updated statement on Park Board referendum legislation Vancouver mayor cites ‘Indigenous title issue’ in fight to abolish park board Image via Wikimedia

Did you miss us? We’re back to talk UBCM, the preponderance of parties that will participate in next year’s election, the war of the Langleys and the wizard in the park. Links UBCM convention shows drift from ‘compassion fatigue’ to concern over crime and disorder | CBC News Codes of conduct and transit: UBCM convention sees municipal priorities pitted against provincial power | CBC News Vancouver city councillor kicked out of ruling party announces mayoral bid | CBC News Vancouver mayor’s former chief of staff starts new political party Vancouver Liberals B.C. Conservatives launch new municipal party before 2025 elections | Vancouver Sun Former federal Conservative minister to steer B.C. municipal party – Castanet.net Register of Elector Organizations Former Vancouver mayor launching court challenge of B.C.’s ‘at-large’ electoral system Former Vancouver mayor to challenge B.C.’s voting system in court | CBC News Fix City Hall War of the Langleys: governance tensions between township and city mayors spills into the open | CBC News Langley township mayor sues political rivals over social media accusations | CBC News This B.C. mayor promised to use $55M in real estate for charity. Now he’s ignored an order to open the books Richmond, B.C., Mayor Malcolm Brodie won’t seek re-election after 25 years in the role | CBC News Terrace-born Donny van Dyk is Vancouver’s new city manager Up to 24 months of full pay for Paul Mochrie, Vancouver’s departed city manager: Documents Vancouver mayor and ABC councillors broke code of conduct, city integrity commissioner rules | CBC News Integrity Commissioner Report COVIC-010: Complaint against Mayor Sim and Councillors Sarah Kirby-Yung, Lisa Dominato, Lenny Zh Concerns over secret meetings ‘politicized,’ Vancouver mayor says Proposal to suspend work of Vancouver’s integrity commissioner quietly fizzles out | CBC News Third-party report recommends more independence for Vancouver’s integrity commissioner | CBC News Release of City of Vancouver Code of Conduct By-law No. 12886 Review and Recommendations B.C. says it will strengthen oversight of municipal governments | Vancouver Sun Vancouver park board commissioner under fire for repeated absences: ‘Do you really want this job?’ Why Vancouver’s decision to host a Harry Potter attraction quickly became controversial | CBC News Bright Nights leaves Vancouver for Surrey, as Stanley Park train remains sidelined Vancouveratta: The X-Files, Vancouver, and a Legendary Backlash | MONTECRISTO

What’s in: Finance reports and new parties. What’s out: Speeding, garburators, disabled housing, Pride, Stanley Park Train and the Mayor’s Gym Links Byelection finance reports Administrative Monetary Penalties Posted Online | Elections BC Vancouver has a new civic party — the Vancouver Liberals Vancouver Liberals 30 km/h speed limits coming to local streets in Vancouver Garburators will officially be banned in Vancouver for a pricey reason Metro loses legal bid in feud over millions of documents in North Shore poo plant trial Housing for residents with disabilities put on hold due to lack of parking Vancouver Pride in peril? Parade will proceed despite losing nearly half its sponsors Stanley Park Train will be off the rails for 2025 | CBC News Ken Sim’s gym closes Vancouveratta – Vancouver’s fractured left cracks again

An emergency motion for a Lapu Lapu Day tragedy memorial event surprises even Filipino BC. The Kitsilano Coalition is happy to see the city concede on the planned supportive housing project. The Vancouver Renters’ Office also isn’t coming back anytime soon. Metro Vancouver and the Langleys debate governance and policing. But with luck, we’ll see a new worker-owned co-op news outlet in the Tri-Cities, Burnaby, and New West 00:55 Strange Developments: Lapu Lapu Day Tragedy Memorial06:35 Kitsilano Coalition’s Victory Against Supportive Housing09:20 Vancouver Park Board Controversy12:44 Vancouver Renter’s Office Debate15:47 Ken Sim’s Defamation Lawsuit17:24 Granville Street Entertainment District Plan27:43 Langley Policing Dispute32:09 Worker-Owned Co-op News Outlet34:42 Vancouveratta – Invasive Wall Lizards Links Community Update l Tuesday, June 3 — Filipino BC B.C. Filipino community group upset with Vancouver city council’s sudden Lapu Lapu Day memorial event decision Have the Doors Closed on New BC Supportive Housing? | The Tyee Dissolution of Vancouver Park Board on pause: City Motion to bring back Vancouver renter office defeated in tie vote – CTVNews Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim launches defamation lawsuit against former chief of staff and local businessman Car-free revival plan for Granville strip approved by Vancouver City Council | Urbanized Photo ready: City votes to install giant $1M Vancouver sign along waterfront | CBC News Metro Vancouver has 41 directors. After a governance review, will that change? | CBC News Under fire for wasteful spending, Metro Vancouver touts award for ‘excellence in financial reporting’ Former Premier Mike Harcourt calls for big changes at Metro Vancouver Policing ‘divorce’ going ahead between City and Township of Langley – BC | Globalnews.ca Save Our Local News Axed local reporters aim to launch first worker-owned co-op news outlet in Western Canada, covering Tri-Cities, Burnaby, New Westminster Vancouveratta The wall lizard invasion of Vancouver Island – Macleans.ca BC Bob | Oopsies | Instagram