Vancouver Mayor's Personal Gym is No More

Sim in the meeting room turned personal gym space last year

A year ago there was a big uproar about Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim converting a boardroom next to his office into his personal gym.

But 365 days later this personal workout space is apparently gone.

Wearing white sneakers at Remembrance Day

Following the by-election in early April when his ABC Party was completely trounced by Cope's Sean Orr and OneCity Vancouver's Lucy Maloney, it seems Sim has seen the writing on the wall.

"He's not wearing athletic wear to council anymore... but I don't know that it necessarily addresses some of the underlying faults," observes councillor Pete Fry.

Before a few months ago, Sim was still refusing to wear blazers and proper shoes to council meetings and formal events, opting for T-shirts or polo shirts; many noticed when he wore a hoodie and white sneakers to a Remembrance Day ceremony.

However, since the Lapu Lapu Day incident, when a drive allegedly killed 11 people at a Filipino event, Sim has been wearing collared shirts and jackets and taking things much more seriously.

Will this new look help change people's perceptions of Sim? 

Sim's new serious mayoral look these days

Probably not, as residents remember him chugging beer on stage, and making flippant remarks about how hosting next year's World Cup is worth 30-40 Super Bowls. He claimed he would find cost savings to cut bureaucracy in City Hall, but in fact added more staff and increased his own office budget...

Man Charged with 8 Counts of Murder for Festival Tragedy

Rai addressing the media with Sim (left) this afternoon

Overnight news of the horrific tragedy of the vehicle that plowed into people attending a Filipino street party in Vancouver spread around the world. 

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said he was "shattered to hear about the terrible incident."

Even King Charles sent condolences via a social media post.

The damaged SUV at the scene of attack

"Our hearts and prayers go out to all those whose lives have been shattered by such a desperate tragedy and we send our deepest possible sympathy at a most agonising time for so many in Canada," he wrote.

Some people in Vancouver woke up to the news this morning, and the shock, sadness and disbelief happened all over again.

Finally there were some numbers -- in the morning it was reported nine people had died, over a dozen injured.

Then at 2pm there was another press conference, this time with Mayor Ken Sim -- dressed in a black suit -- giving a heartfelt speech conveying his sadness and anger over what happened last night and has asked for a full investigation.

It was good to see him step up and finally act like a mayor. Following the by-election a few weeks ago when his ABC party was hammered, Sim realises he needs to actually do his job. If he takes this opportunity to show that he is performing his mayoral duties properly, residents may actually cut him some slack; but he's going to have to work really hard for forgiveness.

At that same press conference Interim Police Chief Steve Rai disclosed only a sliver more of information, that the now 11 deceased ranged in age from five to 65, and that 17 people are still in hospital.

Rai also confirmed the driver of the vehicle was very well known to police and mental health workers.

Lo charged this afternoon, appeared in court

Later in the afternoon news broke that 30-year-old Kai-Ji Adam Lo was charged with eight counts of second-degree murder in relation to the crash at the Lapu Lapu Festival. There are still a lot of questions around security of the festival, though Rai said a risk assessment was made with festival organisers that it didn't require more security like other events.

However, following this tragedy, the police will have to re-examine how they conduct these risk assessments and if police need to attend every single event held in the city. There are also questions why someone with mental health issues and well-known to police, did not get the help he needed, and why he was still able to drive a car. In this case an SUV.

Witnesses came out in the media to give first-hand accounts of what they saw and heard last night. It sounds absolutely horrific, some hearing boom, boom, boom, and later realising it was the sound of the car hitting people, others who had set up stalls at the festival, were cleaning up and leaving when they saw bodies on the ground. They are completely traumatised.

One admitted that whenever he sees groups of people he is terrified and hears the sounds and remember the images he saw.

But Lo, the driver who is charged with eight counts of second-degree murder, has a troubled past. Last year his older brother was murdered and turned to the public for money to pay for the funeral. And then his mother tried to commit suicide and she spent a month in hospital.

Today Lo appeared briefly in court, did not request bail and will remain in custody until his next court appearance on May 26 in Vancouver provincial court. 

Vancouver Mayor Reflects on By-Election Results

Will Sim take the office of the Mayor more seriously now?

Today Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim gave the impression of swallowing some humble pie, saying he and his party would reflect on the results of Sunday's by-election when two progressive candidates were elected by 15 percent of the city's population.

"Regardless if it's a by-election of not... the reality is we listen to the residents of Vancouver every single day," he said. "There are enough of them that said they're not necessarily happy with everything that's going on. We're going to take a really hard look at ourselves."

Sean Orr of COPE received 34,448 votes, while OneCity's Lucy Maloney got 33,732. A total of 67,962 votes were cast.

Orr (left) and Maloney were elected yesterday

When Orr and Maloney are sworn in on April 9, there will be six ABC councillors, former ABC-turned-independent Rebecca Bligh, and Green Party's Pete Fry.

Maloney, an environmental lawyer and transportation activist, said voters sent a strong message to the incumbent party.

"I think that ABC have lost touch with what ordinary Vancouverites are concerned about," she said, adding housing and affordability are the top priority of residents.

COPE's Orr is a housing activist, landscaper and dishwasher. He believes US politics may have influenced Vancouver voters.

"People are very upset," he said. "People are scared, and people are starting to kind of connect the dots with what's going on down south. You're seeing what Elon Musk and Donald Trump are doing there. They're kind of seeing how the rich buy their way into office."

Meanwhile city manager Paul Mochrie apologised to voters for having to wait over an hour to exercise their right to vote.

Mochrie apologised for way by-election was run

"I want to acknowledge that voting wait times that many electors experienced yesterday were unacceptable," he said in a statement.

"The extended wait times at many voting places reflected flawed planning assumptions for this by-election that informed staff decisions and the plan presented to Council. Recognising the effort by the City's elections team to promote and execute this plan, it was clearly insufficient to accommodate the electorate in accessing an efficient voting process.

"These shortcomings are deeply regrettable and I apologise to all voters impacted by delays, as well as to candidates and civic parties. I, along with City staff, are committed to ensure that lessons from yesterday's by-election inform the planning and execution of the 2026 general municipal election and all future City of Vancouver election efforts."

This afternoon Mochrie went on CBC Radio Vancouver's afternoon show to apologise again and explain that the plan was formally adopted in January and there was not enough time to alter it when they saw how many people showed up for advance voting and for mail-in ballots. 

People are more civically engaged than ever, and realise how important it is to make their voices heard through the ballot box. And this by-election in particular was their way of showing the mayor how they felt about his two years in office. 

More residents would have turned out if they had known about the election -- some thought that because they hadn't received a voting card they were not eligible! And there was not enough information about priority lines, and how the disabled could vote. Quite a messy affair. At least Mochrie owned up to it.

Watch out for 2026. It's going to be a a good turnout for sure.

Vancouver By-Election Voting Chaos

Where I started lining up at 12.20pm today to vote

Today Vancouver held a by-election for two seats on City Council. One was vacated by Christine Boyle, who successfully jumped into provincial politics, and the other by Adriane Carr, who retired after many years in political office.

There were already signs that voter turnout would be big just from advance voting and the number of mail-in ballots requested.

I went during lunchtime (wolfed down a sandwich beforehand) and was shocked -- shocked -- to see a massive line outside the Dunbar Community centre. A woman who was helping to run the election explained that yes this was the line to vote and that the wait would be 50 minutes -- 5-0 she reiterated. 

However, if you were elderly and could not stand long, or you had a ferry to catch, then by all means come to the priority line. Some followed her in, the rest of us waited, luckily in the sunshine.

An hour later, I exercised my right

The line kept moving, but snaked around the atrium before moving towards a very long corridor. Eventually I got to the front of the line, got registered, was given a ballot, and after choosing the two candidates, had to line up again to submit my ballot.

It took just over an hour to complete from start to finish.

Apparently at other polling stations the wait was over an hour, up to three hours.

Part of the reason can be faulted on city staff for anticipating (wrongly) that hardly anyone votes in by-elections. But surely from reading the news and the advance voting turnout they should know that only opening 25 polling stations compared the 50 in the 2017 by-election is going to result in long lines.

The other issue was that many elderly people did not know they could bypass the long line and walk right in. I advised my parents to do this and they were done in less than 15 minutes, while other seniors bravely stood in line not knowing about this priority line. Again this is city staff's fault for not making people aware of this option. 

Why did so many people turn out for this by-election?

It was a chance for them to take part in a referendum on Mayor Ken Sim and his administration's performance so far.

And the results show it is a complete repudiation of Sim and his ABC party.

Of the 13 candidates running, two won by a wide margin: Sean Orr of COPE (over 34,000 votes), and OneCity's Lucy Maloney (over 33,000).

Although this does not change ABC's majority on council, Orr and Maloney will put more pressure on Sim and ABC to be more accountable for their actions.

"While the results tonight didn't go the way that we hoped for... we look forward to working with the two elected officials," Sim told ABC supporters this evening.

City council meetings are going to be more interesting from now on...

BC Government Ends Dream of Single-Family Home

These single-family homes will not exist in the future

The NDP government of British Columbia is killing the dream of owning a single-family home with legislation to densify municipalities in a bid to staunch the housing crisis.

Now up to six units can be built on single-family plots in cities that have populations of more than 5,000 residents.

While everyone agrees there is a severe housing shortage, there was no opportunity for municipal governments let alone BC residents to discuss it with Victoria -- the provincial government legislated it through the Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendments Act, where it took zoning authority from the municipalities and transferred it to the province.

Look forward to more multi-unit housing like this

It wasn't enough that the province had set targets of how much housing cities had to build -- Victoria basically decided there will be no more new single-family homes from now on.

Developers are probably rubbing their hands with glee, though they will also be wondering where they can find the labour to actually build these multi-units. So even if the province wants to make it easier to build more housing, it's not going to happen overnight.

Nevertheless, densification also means busier streets, noisier neighbours, and less privacy. Our neighbourhood has seen new, large sewer pipes put in, which took six months, and it will restart again in the spring in anticipation of this densification.

While some retirees may take this opportunity to sell to developers to make more money, other residents may stand their ground and do whatever it takes to keep single-family dwellings in tact.

This week a Vancouver city councillor proposed looking into how the city's most prestigious neighbourhood could be densified.

Shaughnessy is known for large homes, many of them mansions that stand along streets lined with big thick trees. Its residents have the highest median income in the city and its single-family homes are the most expensive in terms of property value.

A heritage mansion in Shaughnessy

However, Councillor Christine Boyle wanted to get city staff to look into putting in more housing, shops and services in this tony neighbourhood.

And while city council is made up of an ABC party majority that favours pro-development, its councillors did lots of verbal gymnastics to shut down the possibility of even densifying Shaughnessy, saying it was a waste of city resources to look into it, the fact that it has a heritage conservation area designation since 2015.

In addition, a representative from the Shaughnessy Heights Property said the residents there paid for the privilege of living there with its large space and homes, and that is reflected in the property taxes they pay every year. One of its residents is Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou who owns a mansion on Matthews Avenue.

One can only surmise that Vancouver is still stuck in its class system, that the wealthier residents can get away with retaining their privileges while the rest of us will have to suck it up with increasingly cramped space...

It only creates more resentment between the rich and the poor.

105 Keefer Gets Development Approval

This vacant lot will have a nine-storey condo building

Six years after its proposal was rejected, developer Beedie Holdings Ltd's controversial plans to build a nine-storey building with luxury condos in Chinatown were approved this afternoon.

The decision on 105 Keefer Street by Vancouver's development permit board was unanimous -- but with some conditions, including adjustments to the building's facade, and improving the building's relationship to nearby "cultural significant" features, such as the Chinatown Memorial Monument, and the Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden.

Architect's rendering of 105 Keefer development

Rob Fiorvento, managing partner of Beedie, said the company was "obviously pleased" with the decision and "we look forward to working with city staff and community groups to move this project forward."

However, to say those who were vehemently opposed to the project were upset would be an understatement.

When the announcement was made, Melody Ma of #savechinatownyvr tweeted "The @cityofvancouver is on the wrong side of history".

Jade Ho is an organiser with the Vancouver Tenants Union that opposed the condo project, and said the decision marks a "singularly appalling moment" in a city that continues to prioritize "profit over people."

"The decision that they made today is going to exacerbate displacement and it's going to accelerate gentrification in a neighbourhood that is already increasingly unliveable for low-income seniors and residents," she said.

More than 140 people went to City Hall to voice their opposition to the project, a hearing that took three days to complete. Many complained the condo building's design was not cultural sensitive, that it was right next to a memorial square, and the neighbourhood's residents would be unable to afford any of the units there.

Many elderly seniors strongly opposed the project

However, several business groups in Chinatown supported the development of the land, now a parking lot, a move that has polarised the neighbourhood, with groups like Vancouver Chinatown Foundation and Vancouver Chinatown Business Improvement Association, Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver, and Chinese Benevolent Association of Vancouver for the condo development.

Ironically back in 2017 these groups opposed Beedie's proposal, but now -- despite no changes to the plans -- they have changed their minds and are keen for any kind of development in the belief that it will help revitalise the neighbourhood.

But while the city has approved this project in the hopes of increasing its housing stock, it could be years before these condos will be built -- if ever. There are still many hurdles ahead, not to mention getting enough capital to start digging up the parking lot. 

Mayor Ken Sim and his ABC Vancouver majority in City Hall are sympathetic to developers and 105 Keefer is proof of it, along with other concessions to these firms in the hopes that they will build more housing. But more checks and balances need to be made to ensure completion of these buildings otherwise nothing will have been achieved.

Cyclists Angry Stanley Park Bike Lane Will be Removed

Temporary bike lane in Stanley Park was voted to be removed

Back in chilly Vancouver, where the snow from a few days ago still has frozen into ice and still hasn't melted, though rain may come late tomorrow.

The big story today was tonight's Vancouver Parks Board vote on whether to remove the temporary bike lane in Stanley Park and it's a contentious issue for cyclists, pedestrians and motorists. 

Described as the city's "jewel", the urban park has a bike and pedestrian path that is 13km long in circumference. This is great for leisurely bike users and pedestrians to avoid getting into crosshairs with cars.

The bike lane created headaches for drivers

About two years ago during the pandemic, one of the two car lanes was turned into a temporary bike lane which made it easier for cyclists to commute through the park. 

The action resulted in joy for cyclists, and frustration from drivers, as it immediately led to a massive traffic jam in the park, and it led to many not visiting Stanley Park anymore.

However now with the recent municipal election last month which voted in a new Park Board stacked with ABC Vancouver commissioners, tonight they voted 6-1 to return to the two-car lane in Stanley Park. 

City park board commissioners have asked city staff to come up with a permanent cycling plan for the park by the spring.

The lone vote against was Green Party commissioner Peter Digby, who criticised ABC for not putting this divisive issue in its election platform, and only brought forward the motion after being elected into office.

The city will come up with a permanent bike lane

"It's been such a victory to have this bike lane," he said. "Driveability is not the hallmark of a world-class park."

While the motion asks city staff to "immediately restore the pre-Covid traffic and parking configuration in Stanley Park in time for the upcoming December 2022 peak holiday season".

Reaction from cyclists has been swift. Jeff Leigh is the president of the non-profit group Hub Cycling, said the vote result was "very unfortunate".

"There are many things that could be done to improve the bike lane, but to pull it out on a faint hope of reinstalling it, we think is a poor decision," he said.

We will have to wait and see what the city staff come up with in terms of a permanent plan for cyclists. In the meantime those who voted for ABC Vancouver hoping for the change they wanted may now be frustrated this was not the change they wanted. They are stuck with this super majority in city hall and the park board for the next four years...

Vancouver's First Chinese-Canadian Mayor

Sim giving his inaugural speech at The Orpheum today

Quite amazing to witness history -- Vancouver having its first person of colour -- a Chinese-Canadian -- sworn in as the Mayor.

Ken Sim wanted this four years ago, was narrowly beaten by Kennedy Stewart, and in that time Sim has plotted to win last month's election -- which he won handily.

He also has seven other city councillors, some of them seasoned politicians to have a comfortable majority in City Hall. Will that help him get things done? His voters certainly hope so.

Ten councillors took their oath of office as well

The inauguration was held at The Orpheum, which holds some 2,700 people, though not sure if the balcony seats were filled. 

It was a long ceremony that included three leaders from the Musqueam Indian Band, Squamish Nation, and Tsleil-Wauthuth Nation, and a fully integrated speech from five religious leaders -- Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Hindu and Muslim who spoke a few words constantly rotating.

When it came down to it, Sim flubbed one of the lines of his oath, but everyone in the audience was there to cheer him on. The atmosphere in the auditorium was that of optimism and hope, because as he says so himself: "You can't lose if you don't give up".

His inaugural speech was a basic repeat of his victory speech a few weeks ago, reiterating how 135 years after the government imposed the Chinese head tax, Vancouver now had the first Chinese-Canadian mayor.

Sim again thanked his predecessors, "standing on their shoulders" to get to where he is today, including David Lam, Douglas Jung, B.C. Lee, Sophia Leung and Kerry Jang.

Honourable Judge Mah administers oath of office

He also set the tone for co-operation with other councillors as well as other branches of government, and critics of his ABC Vancouver party. There were already protests yesterday in the Downtown Eastside calling for more to be done to house the homeless.

That will be one of his first orders of office, fulfilling his promise of dealing with that as well as crime and drugs in the city by hiring 100 police officers and 100 mental health nurses. After the ceremony, Sim acknowledged this cannot be achieved without federal and provincial funding. But media were still wondering where he is going to get all these people from...

Nevertheless Sim promises to work on this and many other issues in his four years in office and his 100 days in office starts next Monday.