We have results and they tell us that people wanted change!

Maybe they wanted someone leftwing, others wanted someone rightwing, many just wanted someone uncontroversial. A few were very happy though. We go through what happened across the region and a few places around the province.

Links

BC Local Election Results 2026

Vancouver unofficial results

Plebiscite results at a later date

Pigeon lady Betty Forbes

Brady Rodgers rules

Ian and Matthew are up bright and early to celebrate covering our third municipal election!

We power through Vancouver and its environs, sharing some thoughts on (almost) every municipality’s race and who we’d support if we had to. Some are enthusiastic, others are extremely begrudging. Just make sure to vote today!

Links

Progressive Unity? Rebecca Bligh Endorsers Challenge the Script | The Tyee

Harcourt, Meggs and Ladner letter

Brenda Bailey endorses Bligh

Unite Here 40 endorsement

Predicting the 2026 Vancouver municipal election (Nathan Caddell, Georgia Straight)

Canada Pulse Insights – Vancouver

Most Vancouver voters want a new mayor, but challengers split change vote: poll

The Cat Guy

Canada Pulse Insights – Surrey

Leger Polling

A provincial election threatens to disrupt our regular programming, just like COPE’s “Evict Ken Sim” campaign is hurting Ken Sim. Challengers drop off, paving the way for Mayor Pete Fry, if the polls are to be believed. The cops stay “neutral” and the aquatic centre is coming down.

Vancity Lookout’s Nate Lewis joins Ian to break it all down.

Links

Vancity Lookout

Ken Sim on Instagram

Stephanie Allen and COPE end their Mayoral campaign, urging progressives to get behind one candidate — COPE Vancouver

A personal update from William – Vote OneCity Vancouver

Fry takes lead in Vancouver’s mayoral race » Justason Market Intelligence and Progressives lead council race » Justason Market Intelligence

Vancouver Police Union won’t endorse a mayoral candidate this municipal election

Vote Public Safety

Vote for Here

Vancouver Aquatic Centre set for demolition after legal challenge denied | CBC News

Cottage Hospice

Ken Sim taks a page from Danielle Smith’s books and decides we need to vote on some things, facts be damned. Will it be enough to save him from the polls? Stewart Prest fills in on this one.

Links

Check out Stewart’s Substack: Politics, Explained

Council adds plebiscite question to Vancouver Election Ballot 

1/3 of the Vote Could Suffice in Vancouver’s Mayoral Election – Research Co.

Mario Canseco: Sim leads Vancouver mayoral race, but field remains wide open, poll says

Vancouver Pallas Poll: Sim’s Favourability Underwater, Over a Third Still Undecided

Remembering the deadly day when a Russian freighter rammed BC Ferries’ Queen of Victoria – Vancouver Is Awesome

A busy council agenda but not before they break early for the summer. Ken Sim flip flops on the park board once more while making vague threats against the province. Metro Vancouver’s CAO is out and Richmond’s speeds are slowing.

Links

• Opposition cries foul as Vancouver council scrubs last meeting before summer break | CBC News
• Village plan? New tallest towers? Vancouver council faces summer sprint | CBC News
• Vancouver Villages Plan draws massive turnout at city hall as debate over housing densification continues
• Vancouver mayor says he won’t try to eliminate the park board if re-elected | CBC News
• Vancouver mayor threatens ‘unprecedented’ action against the province, can’t say why it is necessary
• Vancouver mayor’s office inquired about public plaza: FOI reveals
• Metro Vancouver CAO Jerry Dobrovolny could be on his way out – BC | Globalnews.ca
• Speed limit reduced to 30 km/h on residential roads in Richmond
• 30 km/h speed limits coming to Richmond neighbourhood streets | CBC News
• Trans-Canada Air Lines Flight 3 – Wikipedia

Photo credit: Tannoy at Wikipedia

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

William Azaroff and Amanda Burrows both want to be OneCity's first Mayor of Vancouver