iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Ken Sim’s cynical re-election ploy passes

Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Ken Sim and ABC just pulled a no-notice special urgent meeting to approve nearly $5m to keep the Granville Street Fan zone going for seven weeks after FIFA. While we love the FIFA fan zone, what’s the plan to sustain the vibes after FIFA has packed up and gone?

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Five years after the heat dome that killed 117 Vancouverites - what we’re doing where we’re failing

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

CLIMATE SCIENTISTS HATE THIS ONE WEIRD TRICK Ken Sim is pushing fossil gas infrastructure under a false narrative thst it will make housing more affordable. 📖 Vancouver Council report from November 2024 for the truth about electric vs gas and affordability council.vancouver.ca/20241126/doc...

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Yesterday, an adversarial City Councillor leaned into my office uninvited to call me a “f#@!ng donkey” I think he meant it as an insult. But donkeys are intelligent, loyal, tough as heck, and regularly deployed to protect livestock from predators. That’s a nice compliment. Thanks! #donkey 🚫ABC

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

Lots of talk about the capital plan - what is it, where does the money come from and what say are you going to have in what priorities your tax dollars are spent on?

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, thinking about the 6 million Jews murdered by the Nazis, along with hundreds of thousands of dissidents, LGBT, Roma, people with disabilities. Reflecting on those horrors, the statement "never again" and the systems that enable genocide today and ongoing.

Lit candles against a dark background - a symbolic representation of International Holocaust Remembrance Day

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

Meanwhile - the right wing trolls see my reasonable comments quite differently. Cue the anonymous hewers of outrage and drawers of rhetoric to spin up some angry misinformation...

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

Today, as Trump awarded new "FIFA Peace Prize" his militarized ICE agents are targeting football-loving racialized migrants Wednesday, I ask Vancouver to affirm our commitment to Sanctuary City: Access Without Fear as part of our FIFA Human Rights Plan. Please council.vancouver.ca/20251210/doc...

PHOTO: Donald Trump celebrates 'great honour' of winning FIFA peace prize, shaking hands with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, with cup in foreground

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

'Twas weeks before Christmas And staff at the City Checked stockings for pink slips Such a Holiday pity... "'Tis best for our budget!" laughed our malevolent hero "More layoffs to come, 'cause Zero Means Zero!" www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...

AI generated Grinch in front of cartoon rendering of Vancouver skyline. Grinch is smiling as snow falls lightly around and red Dr Seuss style lettering at top right reads "Zero Means Zero!"

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

Zero Means Zero Meets FIFA Staff report Dec 9 recommends terminating 10/11 Advisory Committees. As the World Cup looms and we've yet to see a Human Rights Plan, volunteer-led citizens advisories are scrapped. Eliminating Committees saves $160,000 @ department targeted by #zeromeanszero cuts

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

TODAY: Budget day at City Hall

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

THANK YOU Vancouver! On doctor’s orders I’m reclined and elevating my leg after a torn calf muscle. But rest assured I’m gratefully watching/listening to the various Vancouverites speaking out against the cuts to staff and services behind ABC’s opaque #zeromeanszero 2026 austerity budget

Photo of cozy dark room with open laptop in foreground, in background a bare foot backlit by white wall. The laptop is open to live feed of city council budget meeting.

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

There’s still time to let council know what you think of the proposed 2026 “zero means zero” budget Budget presentation and speakers begin Nov 12, more info and deadline below council.vancouver.ca/20251112/spe...

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

With no comment from ABC Councillors: Motion to extend votes to youth FAILS at ABC's hand. Despite ample evidence, a real imperative for youth engagement, and a clear path to enact. While they are at it ABC vote down safety for trick or treaters and SRA protections against predatory speculation.

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

You might have heard about the mayor’s new “zero means zero” austerity budget and the defeat yesterday of his scheme to sell off public land to build for profit housing to raise revenue for “council priorities”. Part of his imperative to run the city like a business I explain…

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

Unfortunately, what could have been a painless, benign improvement to code of conduct w/ sanctions even in the case of a conflicted council majority (would not have applied to recent transgressions) was rejected by ABC in favour of watered down tokenism. Future councils can still skate around rules.

Voting screen shows Councillors Fry, Maloney and Orr voting against ABC’s heavily amended and toothless version of Fry’s original motion to better enforce Vancouver’s code of conduct

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

Inside joke at #vanpoli Zero means zero

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

Reckless. Feckless. After squandering his first 3 years on bitcoin, unelecting Park Board, and record tax increases. Sim's promised zero budget means big cuts (likely ~$100m) First up, Equity. More to come. “a desperate act in the last year of his term,”

Screenshots from Vancouver Sun and CTV News, respective headlines read "Big cuts are coming to Vancouver City Hall. Will they be 'reckless' of cost saving efficiencies Ken Sim has long promised" and "City of Vancouver shutters Equity Office" - pictured are Ken Sim and ABC councillors and an arial shot of City Hall

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

I break down the breakdown of integrity at City Hall, why there was an investigation, and what it means that the Integrity Commissioner has ruled Ken Sim and ABC have broken the Code of Conduct #vancouver #vanpoli

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

Transparency: If *as the mayor's office is suggesting* the departure of previous and hiring of new city manager was "made by a vote of Council following all established procedures" --then release any agendas, minutes and votes to debunk "baseless suggestions" vancouversun.com/news/vancouv...

Text from screenshot of Vancouver Sun article:

In an emailed statement Monday, Sim’s office said: “There have been no inappropriate or closed door meetings related to the departure of Paul Mochrie or hiring of Donny van Dyk whatsoever. Any suggestions otherwise are completely baseless.”

“The complaint is based on second-hand rumours from what a resident heard in the media, not any sort of actual evidence,” said the statement, adding that Mochrie’s departure was a mutual decision between him and the mayor, and van Dyk’s hiring was “made by a vote of Council and followed all established procedures for the hiring of a new city manager.”

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

Vancouver was well served by City Manager Paul Mochrie, a skilled, thoughtful professional. I wish him the absolute best. I've no insight or agreement on Sim and Mochrie conversation that "mutually agreed that it was the right time for a leadership change" - but it's a big loss for CofV. #vanpoli

Screenshot from internal City of Vancouver all staff memo, "Update to Staff: Paul Mochrie departure as Vancouver City Manager" reads:

Dear City of Vancouver Team Members,

I wanted to share with you that Paul Mochrie will be stepping down from his role as City Manager.

Paul and I mutually agreed that it was the right time for a leadership change. I want to personally thank Paul for his 14 years of dedicated service to the City of Vancouver, including the last four as City Manager. His commitment to public service and to this city has been deeply appreciated, and we wish him nothing but success in the future.

Paul will be assisting with the transition over the coming weeks. In the meantime, Karen Levitt has been appointed Acting City Manager as we begin the process to fill the role permanently.

Thank you all for your continued dedication to serving the people of Vancouver.

Sincerely,

Ken Sim

Mayor, City of Vancouver

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

Today, Vancouver finally set to approve bylaw for 30km/h speed limits on local residential streets. Six years since this resolution passed at Council/UBCM; passed again unanimously in 2024; building on work of local/global #VisionZero, active transportation advocates... Slow, safe, stoked. 😀

Screenshot from an April 2019 tweet by @ptfry features a photo of a road sign reading 30 km/h with the caption:

My motion for 30k/h speed limit on residential streets comes before City Council Tuesday. It's work based on advocacy of many local orgs like @WeAreHub and @bccycle, the previous council, my own personal experiences, and a growing worldwide safety-first movement to slow down...

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

That investigation: whether decisions were being made behind closed doors (contrary to local government law in BC). The out-of-order catch was that the independent review of the Integrity Commissioner (that would have predicated their suspension) was completed in February! For the #vanpoli nerd:

screenshot from bylaw preamble:

EXPLANATION

A By-law to amend the Code of Conduct By-law No. 12886
regarding independent reviews

On July 24, 2024, Council directed staff to bring forward proposed amendments to the Code of
Conduct By-law regarding investigations by the Integrity Commissioner’s Office to facilitate a third-party independent review. The attached By-law will implement the proposed amendments
to the Code of Conduct By-law brought forward by staff in response to this resolution. Enactment of the attached By-law will implement Council’s resolution.

Director of Legal Services
August 6, 2024

Amendments to the by-law would have changed the Vancouver code of Conduct...

definition:
““suspension period” means the period running from August 6, 2024, through to that date which is 90 days after Council receives the recommendations arising from the independent review.”.

--

3. Council adds a new Part 8 in the correct numerical order as follows:
“PART 8
Independent Review
8.1 During the suspension period, the Integrity Commissioner shall continue to receive new complaints submitted pursuant to this By-law and shall continue to exercise the power to reject any complaint, or part of a complaint, that is not within the jurisdiction of this
By-law in accordance with section 6.13.

8.2 Notwithstanding any other provision in this By-law, during the suspension period the Integrity Commissioner shall not exercise any of the following powers provided for under this By-law with respect to an existing complaint received prior to the suspension period or a new complaint received during the suspension period:

a) the power to conduct a preliminary assessment of a complaint contained in section 6.15;
b) the power to conduct an informal resolution of a complaint contained in sections 6.17 through 6.23; and
c) the power to conduct a formal resolution or formal investigation of a
complaint in sections 6.24 through 6.28.A.

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

Yesterday, ABC's resolution to suspend Integrity Commissioner & investigations was declared out of order under section 8.7(f) of our Procedure Bylaw, nearly a year after it was introduced. I suggested it was "frivolous" --specifics of suspension period subject to independent review weren't met. 1/3🧵

Screenshot from Vancouver City Council meeting June 17, 2025. Councillor Pete Fry (centered in photo) gesticulating as he describes why ABC's resolution to suspend Vancouver's Integrity Commissioner and their active investigations should be ruled out of order. Fry is flanked on either side by councillors Dominato and Klassen.

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 24/05/2025

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s Day of Music : free concerts at the 100 year old Orpheum Theatre and adjacent annex today. A delight to introduce the Maestro Otto Tausk and the VSO this morning for rehearsal at the jewel of Vancouver’s Civic Thestres

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

Safe, resilient and sustainable cities, another UN Sustainable Development Goal, in their words: Slums, also known as informal settlements, lack basic services and are often characterized by overcrowding and inadequate housing, posing significant challenges to sustainability and resilience.

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

The situation has only grown more dire for insanitation resulting from lack of public washrooms. Vancouver has experienced recent outbreaks of antibiotic-resistant dysentery. Clean water and sanitation are identified as one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals 4/6

Image from UN Sustainable Development Goal # 6, Clean Water and Sanitation - highlighting the need for Sanitation for All

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

While Vancouver is well outfitted with public washrooms distributed in parks throughout our city, the situation changes drastically when you consider hours and accessibility. Most park washrooms are only open dusk to dawn. Human biology isn’t quite as scheduled. 3/6

Open Map image showing all public washrooms (including in public parks and recreation facilities) open in the daytime city-wide

Open Map image showing all public washrooms that are open evenings / 24hrs city-wide

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

What if we prioritized public toilets & drop-in spaces over costly decampments, sweeps & street flushing? My May 21 resolution asks Council to rethink our approach to street disorder, with drop-ins and public toilets. #VanPoli 🧵 1/6 🔗 council.vancouver.ca/20250521/doc...

Picture of litter strewn and insanitary alley off Hasting Street

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

When staff recommended City's budget sunset funding school meal programs for Vancouver kids it was under assumption that senior governments would fill the gap. That didn't happen, so today, Cllr Bligh & I ask council to reinstate funding. Hungry Kids Can't Learn b/g vancouversun.com/news/vancouv...

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

Unlike other Metro cities, Vancouver lacks a budget for stray cat control. VOKRA, the volunteer org doing this work, is struggling. My Wed motion calls for city support for animal services. council.vancouver.ca/20250416/doc... Meet Leonard, now 20-yr-old stray kitten we adopted via VOKRA. 😻

Photo of Councillor Pete Fry in background, in foreground is a relaxed looking black and white tuxedo cat, basking in the sunshine while resting in Fry's arms

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

Budget reallocations revealed cuts to Social Policy grants affecting services for youth, elders, migrants, & those facing employment barriers. W/ $5M new funding for VPD Project Barrage, I urged funding for proactive interventions too. No ABC would second my amendment. #vanpoli

Screenshot of amendment to Social Policy Grants reads:

"Add letter

THAT Council direct staff to report back by Q2 2025, with recommendations to consider a re-allocation of new funds from contingency or other sources to be determined. In order to support some of the otherwise not recommended grant recipients (in particular but not limited to) migrant and refugee services, food insecurity, youth and seniors programming, and programs supporting people with persistent barriers to employment; that have otherwise been defunded by the $1 million shortfall from the City's Social Policy 2025 Grants operating budget."

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 09/03/2025

International Women’s Day celebration w/ Vancouver District Labour Council and two of my favourite future council colleagues: @lucymaloney.bsky.social and @annettereilly.bsky.social By-election is April 5 to elect two new Vancouver City Councillors

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 09/03/2025

Mo Amir @vancolour.bsky.social posted on Ken Sim “opt out” election signs - against rules and bound to upset a lot of people. When I’m out campaigning w/ Green candidate @annettereilly.bsky.social common refrain I hear is regret voting for ABC in ‘22 (still under campaign finance investigation)

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

Meanwhile, in the natural world... Eagle descends on frozen pond to make easy prey of hapless lone Canada Goose, cobra chicken fights back. Spoiler alert: after twenty minute battle, eagle forced to retreat, defeated. FAFO 🇨🇦 www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Photograph of Canada Goose and Bald Eagle facing off on a froze pond. The goose has its wings stretch and is defiantly threatening the eagle, the eagle appears to recoil somewhat. Photograph taken earlier this week on frozen Ontario lake

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

Municipal legal experts are weighing in on Integrity Commissioner's findings about backroom decision making calling it "brazen" and suggesting ABC's disregard for the rules could put the City at risk of litigation and/or court or ministerial intervention. vancouversun.com/news/vancouv...

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

ABC may yet walk back their idea about “returning” Indigenous DTES residents to home Nations. Notwithstanding non-indigenous mansplaining from mayor’s office, their approach isn’t suggested in TRC or UNDRIP, nor Section 6 of Canadian Charter RIghts.

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

Similarly, ideas like adding strata and spot rezoning in the DTES could very likely be foreshadowing for amendments to the market rental “Uplifting Downtown Eastside” report coming to Council this week for enactment later in year and could benefit key ABC supporters

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

Other ideas from the leaked mayor’s plan have come to fruition with zero public decision process. Recently announced Project Barrage, to be funded by a future $5m budget ask, seeks greater police enforcement on “drug dealers” and a ban on street vending

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

Many Vancouverites may have been shocked to learn of the mayor’s seemingly off-the-cuff announcement “No-Net-New Supportive Housing in Vancouver” but it’s lifted word-for-word from the secret memo pictured here. The since-softened motion is before council this week.

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

I laid eyes on the secret memo late last year, but at the request of my informant, agreed to keep it secret to protect their source. I took a few photos though, so have been able to anticipate some of the policies coming out of the mayor's secret DTES gentrification toolbox.

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

Ken Sim's anti-supportive housing motion dropped today. Last month, Sim told the "Save Our Streets" group he’d propose freezing new supportive housing in Vancouver. Residents we’ve spoken to are concerned about the ABC party undermining non-profits and punishing the vulnerable. analysis 🧵 1/10

Screenshot from CBC article, headline reads: "Vancouver mayor plans freeze on new supportive housing as part of Downtown Eastside revitalization bid," image shows Mayor Ken Sim looking sideways at camera. Lede reads "Councillor says plan is 'reckless' and 'cruel'"

The Canadian Press · Posted: Jan 23, 2025 4:51 PM PST | Last Updated: January 23

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

Rose are red, Violets are blue Sorry ABC, Beck's not that into you 💔 Not surprised that Bligh's integrity and refusal to go along with cruel ham-fisted policies earned her the ire of the mayor and team, but I worry what they might do without her conscience at the caucus table

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

Trump's tariff's pose a grave threat to our national economy. 🚨🍁 I'm proposing an urgent motion for Vancouver City Council to consider at our earliest meeting Tuesday supporting Team Canada/Buy Local. As a Council, City, and as Canadians I'm confident we will come together. #chooseCanada #buylocal

Enactment clauses from proposed emergency motion to Council Tuesday - Choose Canada: Trump’s Tariffs and Buy Local Imperative

reads:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED
A. THAT Council affirms and signals the City of Vancouver supports the Team Canada approach to align local, provincial, and national priorities as necessary to counter foreign policies designed to harm the Canadian economy.

B. THAT Council directs staff to initiate an urgent high-level review of capital projects, suppliers, procurement, and trade agreement exposure and opportunities to Buy Local / Buy Canadian and report back as soon as possible with immediate and long term strategies supporting the Team Canada approach.

C. THAT Council directs the City’s Business and Economy Office to immediately begin work with local business and community economic development organizations (including but not limited to the BIA Partnership, LOCO BC, GVBOT, CFIB, Destination Vancouver) to explore opportunities to initiate and promote a new targeted Buy Local / Buy Canadian campaign in response to tariffs.

FURTHER THAT the office is tasked to identify and report back with recommendations for streamlined, transparent and nimble City regulation for changes of use, and adaptation of business models to respond to tariffs, supply chain disruption, and GDP growth targets.

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

Plot twist: Since elected two years ago, Mayor Sim has barely attended Metro meetings in the first place - despite campaigning on Kennedy Stewart’s absenteeism, Sim’s attendance record has been far worse. Newfound concern for accountability seems opportunistic at best. @jarmstrongbc.bsky.social

Screenshot of tweet by Global TV reporter Jordan Armstrong shows picture of Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and is captioned:
“BREAKING: @GlobalBC has learned @KenSimCity is boycotting @MetroVancouver:

“Metro Vancouver’s governance is broken. Moving forward, I will not be attending Metro meetings and supporting a system that lacks accountability.”

#bcpoli
#vanpoli
@CUrquhartGlobal”

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

Updating DTES Plan, along w/ pushing "density along the Hastings Corridor to provide new housing options and economic opportunities" were part of ABC's 2022 platform. They didn't run on removing view cones but together that trifecta creates a windfall for some of Sim's biggest donors/DTES landowners

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Pete Fry @ptfry.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

Sim is launching a new strategy to "fix" the DTES, in classic simple form. Of his three proposed policy shifts "Cracking down on gang activity" makes a great clip- but not exactly a city service: rather police, province, justice system. The other two policies belie a dangerous intent #VANPOLI🧵

Mayor Ken Sim Announces Major Initiatives to Revitalize the Downtown Eastside at Save Our Streets Forum

VANCOUVER, BC – Today, Mayor Ken Sim addressed the Save Our Streets Forum to unveil a comprehensive plan aimed at transforming Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES) through measures focused on accountability, dignity, and public safety. The announcement marks a pivotal moment in the City’s approach to addressing addiction, crime, and housing challenges in one of its most complex neighbourhoods.

At the forum, Mayor Sim outlined three key proposed policy shifts:
1. Updating the Downtown Eastside Area Plan
Updating the Downtown Eastside Area Plan to encourage a mix of housing, businesses, and services. This approach aims to break the cycle of hyper-concentrated services in the DTES, including supportive housing, shelter services, and social services. This allows for the integration of the DTES neighbourhood into Vancouver’s broader community, ensuring a more balanced, supportive environment for residents, businesses, and visitors.
2. Pausing Net New Supportive Housing
Vancouver currently houses 77% of the region’s supportive housing, despite comprising only 25% of the region’s population. The City also faces the challenge of managing thousands of deteriorating Single Room Occupancy (SRO) units. By pausing the construction of net new supportive housing units in Vancouver, the City can focus on renewing and revitalizing the current ageing housing stock to better meet residents’ needs until supportive housing availability increases across the region.
3. Cracking Down on Gang Activity
In collaboration with the Vancouver Police Department, the City will launch a citywide crackdown on organized crime and gangs operating in the DTES. This initiative aims to address street-entrenched violence by dismantling criminal networks that exploit vulnerable residents and undermine community safety.

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