Kareem's Plan for a Better Vancouver

Better Front-Line Services

Across the board, city services are failing – more potholes, reduced library hours, missed garbage pickups, dirty streets, and so much more. To tackle these growing issues, the Vancouver Liberals will 400 unionized frontline workers who will do the real work of delivering services that matter to Vancouverites.

Broken Promises and Rising FOI Fees

ABC Vancouver promised transparency and accountability at City Hall. Instead, Vancouverites are facing rising Freedom of Information fees while trust in City Hall continues to decline.

The Vancouver Liberals believe access to public information should not become more expensive or harder to obtain.

Cancel Ken’s $800m Second City Hall

Ken Sim and the ABC want to spend $800 million just to build more office space for managers. The Vancouver Liberals will cancel this extravagant project and reinvest the money into services that matter, like pools and parks.

Cryptocurrency Disclosure for Politicians

Politicians are required to disclose their financial interests when taking public office. The Vancouver Liberals believe that transparency should also include cryptocurrency holdings and accounts.

The public deserves full transparency and accountability from those in public office.

Faster, Cheaper Housing Construction

Vancouver is the only city in BC with its own building code – an unnecessary extra step for people seeking to build more housing in our city. The Vancouver Liberals will remove the Vancouver Building Code and align our city with the rest of the province, simplifying the process of housing construction. We will also consolidate the twelve departments that currently approve new housing construction into just one, making applications and approvals a smoother process.

Luxury Yacht Tax (40ft+)

To protect essential services without burdening everyday Vancouverites, we will implement a tax on luxury yachts over 40 feet. These vessels currently rely on our city infrastructures without contributing proportionately. Funds raised will help provide property tax cuts for family doctors, walk-in clinics, food banks, and Vancouver’s creative sector; investments that strengthen our communities.

Restore Strong Fiscal Management

Under Ken Sim and the ABC, property taxes have gone up by 26%. Meanwhile, library hours have been cut, the renters’ office has been closed, and services overall have gotten worse. We will ban foreign travel for councillors and staff. No more trips to the Junos, or buying $13 million worth of World Cup tickets. It’s time to bring strong fiscal management back to Vancouver.

Time for change

After years of rising costs, broken promises, and growing frustration at City Hall, many Vancouverites feel the city is heading in the wrong direction.

The Vancouver Liberals believe Vancouver deserves leadership focused on accountability, affordability, public safety, and delivering results people can actually see in their communities.

Vancouver cannot afford four more years of the same.

Transparency & Governance Commitment

Our Federal and Provincial governments each have a Lobbyist Registry, and its time that our city followed this practice. Gone are the days of well-connected lobbyists pulling strings behind the curtain. Ken Sim has made Freedom of Information Requests more expensive - we will reduce FOI costs because the public deserves to see what their government is doing with their tax dollars. We will also strengthen the office of the Integrity Commissioner so that our elected officials are actually held to account for their actions.

The $600 Million Art Gallery Scandal at City Hall

ABC Vancouver promised Vancouverites a world-class new Art Gallery project. Instead, costs spiraled from roughly $150 million to nearly $600 million before the project was ultimately halted.

The failed Art Gallery project is a glaring example of Ken Sim’s City Hall and ABC Vancouver’s fiscal mismanagement, and Vancouverites deserve answers.

The Vancouver Liberals are calling for an independent Auditor General investigation into the project and all related spending. Every wasted dollar is money that could have gone toward services and community infrastructure Vancouverites rely on.

Enough is enough. It’s time for real fiscal accountability at City Hall.

Vancouver's Values Matter.

City Hall needs to make good decisions with our tax payers dollars.  Vancouverites need to be confident that their tax dollars are going to things like Community Centres, swimming pools, library hours, public restrooms, and front-line workers and services.

Vancouver Needs a Strong Integrity Commissioner

Transparency and accountability at City Hall are non-negotiable. The Integrity Commissioner plays a critical role in protecting ethics, public trust, and oversight at City Hall.

The Vancouver Liberals will introduce an independent external review of the Integrity Commissioner’s office and strengthen the Code of Conduct for elected officials to ensure the office remains transparent, independent, and free from political interference.

Ward System for Vancouver

Vancouver’s current at-large voting system makes campaigns expensive and leaves many neighbourhoods without direct representation at City Hall. The Vancouver Liberals support exploring a ward system that would divide the city into local districts, each electing their own dedicated councillor.

A ward system could make local elections more affordable, improve accountability, and ensure every community has a stronger voice around the council table.

That’s why we will convene a citizens’ assembly to study the issue and bring forward recommendations for a public referendum. A change this important should be decided by Vancouverites, not a rushed political decree.

A Methamphetamine Strategy for BC

Methamphetamine is a leading cause of violent incidents and puts people at risk. Just like the plan Wab Kinew is working on in Manitoba, we need a thoughtful, long-term meth strategy that focuses on safety, treatment, and recovery in Vancouver and BC.

Cracking Down on Bitcoin ATMs

FINTRAC and the Vancouver Police Department have warned that Bitcoin ATMs are commonly linked to money laundering, fraud, organized crime, and drug trafficking. Despite a unanimous vote to ban them, hundreds of machines continue to operate across Vancouver.

The Vancouver Liberals support shutting down Bitcoin ATMs in Vancouver and taking stronger action against criminal activity tied to organized crime and the toxic drug crisis.

Bitcoin ATMs=Money Laundering

The Vancouver Liberals support shutting down Bitcoin ATMs, unregulated currency exchanges, and money marts used to launder criminal proceeds tied to organized crime and the toxic drug crisis.

Vancouver needs stronger action against the financial networks enabling crime in our communities.

Combating Money Laundering in Vancouver

Criminals shouldn’t be able to profit off our city. Money laundering fuels violence, instability, and predatory financial practices in our communities. To protect Vancouverites, we will dismantle the systems that make it easy for illegal funds to move around. We will: Ban Bitcoin ATMs, a common tool for laundering cash, gradually eliminate currency exchanges that provide unchecked transactions, and replace payday loan shops with trusted institutions like Pigeon Park Savings

Fighting One of the Root Causes of Crime: Money Laundering

We need to go after the root causes of crime. Bitcoin is how international drug cartels operating in Vancouver are moving money around.  The crime and disorder on our streets is a direct result of drug kingpins operating out of penthouses in Coal Harbour and Yaletown.  We need to make it harder for criminals, not easier, and will shut down ridiculous ideas like heating our pools with bitcoin servers.

Supporting Vancouver Firefighters

Vancouver’s firefighters are being pushed to their limits. Last year alone, they responded to nearly 74,000 calls — from overdoses and mental health crises to fires and medical emergencies — while struggling with growing pressure on staffing and resources.

The Vancouver Liberals will support proper staffing, long-term funding, and transparent deployment planning to ensure firefighters have the resources they need to keep Vancouver safe.

Our plan: Tony Soprano.

Our plan is to go after the Tony Soprano level criminals, and stop the proceeds of crime at the top of the crime pyramid.

School Liaison Program & The Safety of Our Children

Under Vancouver Liberal School Board Chair Victoria Jung, the School Liaison Officer Program has helped support safer schools and stronger relationships between students, families, and local officers.

Vancouver Liberals support keeping the program in place to help ensure schools remain safe, welcoming environments where students can learn and thrive.

A New Direction for Vancouver

Vancouver is at a turning point. After years of rising taxes, growing frustration, and a City Hall that has lost its way, Vancouver Liberals are fighting for a new direction focused on affordability, accountability, public safety, jobs, and long-term growth.

From building the SkyTrain to UBC and protecting industrial land, to creating North America’s first Artist Land Reserve and cracking down on money laundering, the Vancouver Liberals are putting forward solutions to move Vancouver forward again.

Together, we can build a safer, more affordable, and more ambitious Vancouver.

Bringing Young People Back to Vancouver

The Canadian dream for young people to build a career, put down roots, and start a family is dying as rising costs push them out. Vancouver has one of the oldest populations of any city in Canada – and it’s only getting older as young people continue to leave. We will bring back young people by creating more good jobs and building more affordable housing in every part of the city.

Vancouver: The Gateway to CANZUK

Vancouver has the opportunity to become the economic gateway of a future CANZUK alliance between Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

The Vancouver Liberals are championing Vancouver as the chosen home for CANZUK headquarters. This means more jobs, stronger trade, greater talent attraction, and a supercharged YVR that bolsters our role as Canada’s premier gateway to the Asia-Pacific and the world.

This is a global opportunity waiting to be seized.

Creative Spaces for the New Economy

Vancouver has the highest concentration of artists and creatives in all of Canada, a rare competitive advantage that the city is failing to nurture and build. These artists struggle to build a vibrant creative economy here as the city prices them out of the few scarce creative spaces by hiking up their taxes. We will establish an Artist Land Reserve in four locations across the city, which would provide resources like studios and cut property

taxes in half for creatives working in these spaces.

Industrial Age Laws Are Hurting Vancouver’s Future

Outdated industrial-era bylaws are holding back Vancouver’s creative and digital economy. In many parts of Vancouver, small businesses still cannot manufacture and sell products like candles, clothing, or handmade goods in the same space.

The Vancouver Liberals will modernize zoning and business rules to support small businesses, entrepreneurs, creators, and the next generation of Vancouver’s economy. Vancouver should be a city where innovation is encouraged not regulated out of existence.

Protecting Good Jobs and Industrial Land

Vancouver has too few good-paying jobs – and Ken Sim’s plan to eliminate the last bit of industrial land in the city will push businesses and well-paying jobs out of Vancouver.

The Vancouver Liberals will establish an Industrial Land Reserve, keeping jobs in the city and surrounding it with affordable housing so that people can build their careers and keep their families in our city.

Connecting Vancouver to UBC

Completing the UBC SkyTrain extension will connect Western Canada’s largest research centre with Western Canada’s largest employment hub, improving mobility for students, workers, and families. Transit to UBC has been over capacity for years, and with major development ahead on Broadway and in the Endowment Lands, stopping the SkyTrain line at Arbutus is no longer practical or sustainable. The Vancouver Liberals will make finishing the SkyTrain to UBC our top transportation priority.

Protecting Local Businesses During Transit Expansion

New SkyTrain stations should not come at the expense of local businesses. Construction often disrupts foot traffic and revenue, putting small businesses at risk. To support impacted businesses, the Vancouver Liberals will reduce property taxes by 50% for the duration of construction. We will also introduce incentives for commercial landlords to lower rent for affected tenants, helping businesses remain stable while major transit improvements are built.

Building More Public Bathrooms

Our city streets and parks are covered with animal and human poop, a clear sign of how City Hall is failing to do its basic job. Vancouver’s chronic lack of public washrooms not only fails to provide basic facilities to residents, but could cause even bigger public health problems as thousands of soccer fans visit our city for the World Cup. Along with mobilising new frontline workers to clean up our streets, the Vancouver Liberals will also build new public washrooms across the city.

Accès au Wi-Fi dans le Downtown Eastside | Downtown Eastside Wi-Fi Access

Access to Wi-Fi is essential for safety, healthcare access, and accessing essential services. The Vancouver Liberals will work with Downtown Eastside organizations to help deploy free public Wi-Fi.

Inside UBC’s Food Hub Model

Inside UBC’s Food Hub Model.

Vancouver Liberals team at Vancouver Public Library

Public libraries are one of the most important third places in our communities.

The Vancouver Liberals stand with Vancouver Public Library workers and oppose cuts that weaken these vital public spaces and community services across Vancouver.

Our Noise Policy

Tired of noisy hot rods and motorcycles revving up at 3 a.m. in our neighbourhoods? We are too!

Our Recycling Commitment

Vancouver only recycles 51% of its beverage containers, the lowest rate in the region. With too few Return-It depots, residents face unnecessary barriers that discourage proper recycling. We will fix this by opening more recycling depots across the city, focusing first on the areas that need it the most.

Public Bathrooms & Showers in New Supportive Housing Projects

Vancouver has the fewest public bathrooms of any major city in North America, and that needs to change. We should also be making sure that we get the largest possible social benefit for all public projects.  Under a Vancouver Liberal government, every new supportive housing project in the City of Vancouver will have a requirement for 24-hour public bathrooms and showers for those that are unhoused.

Reducing Taxes on Medical Clinics

The Vancouver Liberals will cut property taxes in half for family doctors and walk-in clinics in the City of Vancouver. This change will help established medical practices thrive and help new doctors set up their practices in Vancouver. Too many young people don’t have a family doctor and attracting and retaining physicians will solve that problem.

Supportive Housing for Seniors & Veterans

Supportive housing is a lifeline for seniors, veterans, and those with disabilities. Under Ken Sim & ABC, all types of new supportive housing construction in the city has been banned. On day one, the Vancouver Liberals will reverse this cruel ban on supportive housing and ensure that our most-vulnerable citizens receive the supports that they need.

Tackling Vancouver's Rat Problem

Vancouver has a rat problem. We have the second-highest number of rats of any major city in Canada – and we’re about to pass Toronto to become the highest. Rats are a major reason for the spread of disease and are a public health risk to our city. The Vancouver Liberals will put together a blue-ribbon panel of experts to help gain control of Vancouver’s rat problem.

A Safer City Starts with Community Centres, Libraries & Parks

Investing in parks, libraries, and community spaces is how we reduce crime. That’s why we’re committing 400 new frontline workers and a historic $1.35B investment in parks, recreation, and pools.

Bringing Back Fun with Cheaper Festivals

Under Ken Sim and ABC, festival organizers are having to pay increased policing fees, making the costs of hosting community events rise and adding to Vancouver’s ‘no fun city’ reputation.With the unprecedented rise in the Vancouver Police budget, we will find a fair way to make policing affordable for all community events.

Les centres aquatiques | Acquatic Centres

Vancouver compte le moins de piscines publiques par habitant au Canada. Les Vancouvérois méritent d'avoir accès aux espaces publics que nous contribuons tous à financer.

Vancouver has the fewest public swimming pools per capita in Canada. Vancouver residents deserve to have access to the public spaces that we all contribute to funding.

Parks and Recreation Plan

The Vancouver Liberals are committed to rebuilding a strong, independent, and well-supported Vancouver Park Board that has the tools, budget stability, and modern facilities needed to serve residents. If elected in 2026, we will take the following actions to support improved governance, long-term planning, and better outcomes for Vancouver’s parks and recreation system.

Stopping the Sale of Vancouver Parks

Ken Sim & ABC’s crusade to eliminate the Park Board is about putting Vancouver’s parks up for sale. The Vancouver Liberals strongly support our elected Park Board, a democratic institution that protects our parks from being chopped up and sold off. The Vancouver Liberals will keep the board in place and properly fund our parks to improve the quality of community centres, pools and other facilities people use.