16 October 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release - Vancouver Liberals Reaffirm Plans to Better Connect UBC and Vancouver
Kareem Allam, Vancouver Liberals reaffirm plans for UBC SkyTrain and University Endowment Lands amalgamation as part of plan to bring young people back to Vancouver
VANCOUVER, BC - As the 2026 Vancouver Election campaign period comes to a close, Mayoral Candidate Kareem Allam and the Vancouver Liberals have emphatically reaffirmed their plans to strengthen connections between UBC and Vancouver as a part of their plan to bring young people back to the city.
“I’ve been saying since the start of the campaign that the Vancouver Liberals’ top priority is to bring young people back to Vancouver. But that’s just a goal - what matters are the steps we take to accomplish that goal,” said Allam. “Our entire platform is designed around this goal and one of the biggest steps that we’ll take is connecting UBC and Vancouver. ”
The Vancouver Liberals’ primary methods of connecting UBC and Vancouver are noted below.
1. The UBC SkyTrain
In 2027, the Broadway Extension of the Vancouver Skytrain’s Millenium Line is expected to open to the public - but the extension only goes as far west as Arbutus Street and the lack of UBC extension has created controversy.
“UBC is the second-largest commuter destination in the lower mainland. I think it’s essential for the future of our economy and the future of our climate change priorities to connect UBC, the largest research centre in Western Canada to Vancouver, the largest job centre in Western Canada,” explained Allam. We want to bring students, artists, and entrepreneurs into one innovation corridor which will create businesses, jobs, and careers that will last a lifetime.”
The Vancouver Liberals recognize that local stakeholders are on board with the SkyTrain expansion and the incoming change in government is an opportunity to build momentum. A Vancouver Liberal government will work closely with UBC, Indigenous Peoples and First Nations, the incoming provincial government, TransLink, and other partners to secure funding to move the project forward and make it a reality.
2. Amalgamation of the City of Vancouver and the University Endowment Lands
The Vancouver Liberals will also connect UBC with Vancouver by amalgamating the University Endowment Lands into Vancouver. Many Vancouverites are unaware that the University Endowment Lands are a separate municipality which is managed by the province, meaning residents have no elected municipal representation and the province manages all services. UBC affects Vancouver and vice-versa, and the provincial government shouldn’t be managing municipal affairs - the City of Vancouver should be.
“The province doesn’t want the University Endowment Lands on their hands, and we’ll gladly take it off of them. On day one of a Vancouver Liberal government, I want to put a proposal in front of the provincial government to amalgamate the City of Vancouver with the University Endowment Lands to create a stronger, better connected, and more vibrant Vancouver,” said Allam. “Vancouver is a place with tremendous potential, and that potential needs a place to grow. That starts with the UBC SkyTrain and a unified Vancouver and UBC. We’ll create an innovation corridor for the next generation of jobs.”
Allam further explained, “Connecting Vancouver and UBC isn’t just about transportation - it’s about potential, it’s about growth, and it’s about taking big swings again. But this isn’t our only big swing.” Allam highlighted several other platform points of varying importance:
- Building faster and cheaper housing
- Hiring 400 unionized frontline workers
- Tackling organized crime differently with a Tony Soprano approach
- Asking Vancouverites about implementing a ward system in the next election
- Reform parking across the city
- Providing $1.35B in funding for our parks.
“A Vancouver Liberal government won’t let our city - our home - languish. We’ll take the bold steps required to make it the best city it can be. It’s as I’ve said all campaign - Together We Can,” concluded Allam.
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Media Assets:
Video (YouTube): https://youtu.be/N1rfSLt5qew
Kareem Allam is available to speak with members of the media.
Media Contact:
Vancouver Liberals Communications