15 September 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VANCOUVER LIBERALS SUPPORT ELECTORAL REFORM AND DEMOCRATIC ACCOUNTABILITY, WILL PUT WARD SYSTEM TO REFERENDUM

VANCOUVER, BC (15 September 2026) — Mayoral candidate Kareem Allam and the Vancouver Liberals want to give Vancouverites the opportunity to choose whether the city should move to a ward system that provides more direct local representation at City Hall.

If elected, the Vancouver Liberals will create a Citizens’ Assembly to recommend how a ward system could work in Vancouver, with the final proposal put to voters in a referendum during the 2030 municipal election.

“People should know who represents their neighbourhood and who is accountable when something needs to get done,” said Allam. “But a change this important shouldn’t simply be imposed by City Hall. Vancouverites should have the opportunity to consider a ward system, understand what it would mean for their communities, and make the final decision themselves.”

On October 17th, Vancouver residents will vote for their next Mayor, City Councillors, Park Board Commissioners, and School Board Trustees. But if previous elections are any indication, only a fraction of the population will head to the polls.

In Vancouver’s 2022 election, only 36.3% of eligible voters exercised their right to vote.

There’s no shortage of hot-button issues in the city. There’s an ongoing housing crisis, affordability issues, safety issues, and many more problems that need the right leadership to tackle them. Despite the number and seriousness of these issues, most Vancouverites are not voting.

One factor that can make local democracy harder to engage with is the way Vancouver’s City Council is structured.

In Vancouver, our Councillors are “at-large,” meaning that they represent the entire city as opposed to one specific geographic area. However, almost every other major city uses a ward system that provides specific geographic representation, similar to the way residents are represented by their MLA and MP. Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and many smaller cities use a ward, district, or borough system.

The Vancouver Liberals believe Vancouverites should have the opportunity to decide whether a similar system would work better for their city.

The two major differences between our current system and a ward system are the size of the ballot, and localized knowledge and accountability.

In the 2022 election, voters had to choose between 58 City Council candidates. Asking residents to take the time to understand what each of these candidates can individually offer them is a lot to ask. City Council candidates are also notably deprived of the opportunity to engage in meaningful debate with their opponents.

With a ward system, voters would have to learn about fewer candidates. This much smaller number would make it easier for candidates and voters to connect, and could result in more people feeling ready to make an informed decision and vote.

If you have a councillor representing your ward, it is much clearer who you can approach for support – and who is accountable for responding.

If elected, the Vancouver Liberals will create a Citizens’ Assembly that will set parameters for a potential City Council restructuring and submit a ballot question for the 2030 election. Such a major decision should be made in partnership with Vancouver’s residents and its elected officials.

Vancouver residents deserve an electoral system they can understand, engage with, and hold accountable. The Vancouver Liberals believe they should also have the opportunity to decide for themselves whether a ward system would provide better local representation and strengthen the relationship between residents and City Hall.

Media Assets:

Video (YouTube): https://youtube.com/shorts/GjOHD6yHeoo?feature=share

Kareem Allam is available to speak with members of the media.

Media Communications:

Vancouver Liberals Communications
[email protected]