You've probably seen the 12th-floor windows of City Hall glowing late on a Tuesday night. It’s a massive, art deco building perched on a hill, overlooking a city that is currently wrestling with its own identity. Most people only think about the Vancouver City Council when their property tax assessment arrives or when a controversial high-rise gets proposed three doors down. Honestly, it's more than just a group of people sitting in leather chairs debating zoning bylaws. It's the engine room of a city that's trying to balance a global reputation for "livability" with the harsh reality of a housing crisis that won't quit.
The current power dynamic in Vancouver shifted dramatically in late 2022. For years, the council was a fractured mess of different parties—Greens, COPE, OneCity, Vision—making it nearly impossible to pass anything without a massive headache. Then ABC Vancouver swept in. Led by Mayor Ken Sim, they took a majority. This changed the vibe at 453 West 12th Avenue instantly. Suddenly, the "City of Vancouver City Council" wasn't just a debating club; it became a streamlined, business-oriented machine. But as any local will tell you, efficiency doesn't always mean everyone is happy.
The ABC Majority and the Death of the "Status Quo"
When Ken Sim and his ABC (A Better City) councillors—Sarah Kirby-Yung, Lisa Dominato, Brian Montague, Mike Klassen, Peter Meiszner, and Rebecca Bligh—took their seats, the mandate was clear. They wanted to fix the "Permit Wait Times from Hell" and put more boots on the ground for public safety. You might remember the 100 new police officers and 100 mental health nurses promise. It was a huge talking point.
Actually, the shift was deeper than just police. It was a pivot toward a more corporate-style governance. Before this, the Vancouver City Council often felt like it was stuck in a loop of "consultation fatigue." Now? Things move. Sometimes they move so fast that community groups feel left in the dust.
Take the decision to abolish the elected Park Board. That was a bombshell. For over a hundred years, Vancouver was unique in Canada for having a separate, elected body to manage its parks. Sim and his team decided it was an outdated, redundant layer of bureaucracy. They argued it would save money and make maintenance easier. Critics, including some former allies, called it a "power grab." It’s these kinds of moves that define the current council: decisive, controversial, and unbothered by the traditional way of doing things.
Who are these people, anyway?
It's easy to lump them all together, but the personalities matter. You have Brian Montague, a former VPD spokesperson who brings a very specific "law and order" lens to the table. Then there’s Pete Fry from the Greens, who often acts as the conscience of the council, asking the "Wait, did we think about the trees?" or "What about the heritage status?" questions that keep the majority on their toes. Christine Boyle from OneCity is another sharp voice, usually pushing the council to go further on density and social housing.
It’s a mix. A weird, high-stakes mix.
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Housing: The Elephant in the Council Chamber
If you live here, you're paying too much for rent. That’s just the Vancouver tax. The Vancouver City Council knows this is the issue that will win or lose them the next election. Their approach? Density. Lots of it.
The Broadway Plan is a perfect example. We’re talking about massive towers along the new SkyTrain extension. The goal is to turn that corridor into a second downtown. Some residents in Kitsilano and Mount Pleasant are terrified. They see their sunlight disappearing. But the council’s logic is simple: we have a 0.something percent vacancy rate. We need rooftops.
They’ve also been tinkering with the "missing middle." This is the stuff like laneway houses, multiplexes on single-family lots, and secondary suites. For decades, most of Vancouver was zoned exclusively for single-family homes. This council basically said "no more" to that. Now, you can theoretically build a multiplex on a standard lot in Shaughnessy or Kerrisdale. Will people actually do it? That’s the multi-million dollar question. The construction costs and interest rates are so high right now that many developers are sitting on their hands, waiting for the math to make sense.
The Granville Bridge and the "Sunk Cost" Debate
Ever driven across the Granville Bridge lately? It’s a mess of construction. The council inherited this project—the "Granville Connector"—which aims to strip away the highway-style ramps and make it more pedestrian and bike-friendly. It’s a classic Vancouver project. Half the city thinks it’s a visionary move to reclaim land for housing and parks. The other half is screaming about traffic congestion.
This highlights the tightrope the Vancouver City Council walks. They have to manage the "Old Vancouver" (people who moved here in the 70s and want things to stay quiet) and the "New Vancouver" (young professionals and families who just want a 600-square-foot condo they can afford).
The Budget Reality Check
Let’s talk money. It’s boring until your property tax goes up 7% or 10%. Vancouver’s budget is billions of dollars, and a huge chunk of that goes to things you don’t see—sewer pipes, water mains, and the massive salaries of city staff.
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Ken Sim’s council has been criticized for being "fiscally conservative" while also overseeing some of the highest tax hikes in recent memory. Why the contradiction? Because the "infrastructure deficit" is real. The pipes under your street are literally rotting. Previous councils kicked the can down the road to keep taxes low. This council is basically saying, "The bill is due."
They’ve been looking for "efficiencies," which is government-speak for cutting programs that aren't core services. This has led to some friction with non-profits and arts groups who rely on city grants. If you’re a local theatre company, you might feel like the current Vancouver City Council doesn't value you as much as a new tech hub or a streamlined permit office.
Public Safety and the DTES
You can't talk about Vancouver's governance without mentioning the Downtown Eastside (DTES). It is the most visible failure of every level of government for the last forty years. The current council took a much firmer stance than their predecessors. The decampment of East Hastings Street in 2023 was a massive operation. The city argued it was a fire safety issue. Advocates argued it was a violation of human rights.
This is where the council’s "A Better City" slogan gets tested. To some, cleaning up the streets is a sign of a city returning to order. To others, it’s just pushing the most vulnerable people into back alleys where they’re less visible but more at risk. The council has leaned heavily on their relationship with the provincial government to get more supportive housing built, but the pace is never fast enough for the people living in tents.
How to Actually Get Their Attention
Most people think emailing the Mayor is the best way to change things. Kinda, but not really. If you want to influence the Vancouver City Council, you have to understand the "Public Hearing."
These are grueling. They can go until 11:00 PM on a Thursday. If you sign up to speak, you get five minutes. Five minutes to tell eleven people why you hate a bike lane or why you love a new community centre. Does it work? Sometimes. If a hundred people show up to protest a specific development, the council notices. They are politicians, after all. They want to be re-elected.
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But the real work happens in the reports. The city staff—the "bureaucrats"—write 50-page documents recommending certain actions. By the time it reaches the council floor, the momentum is usually already there. If you’re serious about city politics, you read the staff reports before the meeting even starts.
What to Watch For in 2026
The next election is creeping up. You’ll start seeing the "City of Vancouver City Council" members out at more ribbon-cuttings and community festivals. The narrative will be about whether the "ABC experiment" worked.
- Did the permit times actually go down?
- Is the city safer than it was four years ago?
- Did the "missing middle" housing actually get built?
Vancouver is a city of extremes. It's incredibly wealthy and heartbreakingly poor. It’s stunningly beautiful and, in parts, crumbling. The people sitting in those council chambers are the ones trying to steer the ship through a very narrow channel. Whether you think they're doing a great job or making a mess of it, you can't deny that the current group is at least moving the steering wheel.
Actionable Steps for Concerned Residents
If you're tired of just shouting at the news, here is how you actually interface with the system.
- Use the Shape Your City Portal: This is the city's official engagement site. It’s where they post surveys for every new park, bike lane, and rezoning. It’s low-effort but high-impact because the data goes directly into the staff reports that the council reads.
- Monitor the Council Calendar: All meetings are live-streamed. If you can’t make it to 12th Avenue, watch it on YouTube. You’ll quickly learn which councillors do their homework and which ones are just grandstanding for the cameras.
- Join Your Neighborhood Association: These groups often have a "direct line" to city planners. A collective voice from a neighborhood association carries way more weight than a single angry email.
- Look Beyond the Mayor: The Mayor only has one vote. Focus your energy on the "swing votes" on council. In a majority-held council, this is harder, but individual councillors still have their own pet projects and concerns.
- Check the 311 App (VanConnect): If you’re annoyed about a pothole or a burnt-out streetlamp, don't wait for a council meeting. The VanConnect app is actually surprisingly effective for getting basic city services moving.
The city isn't just a backdrop for your life; it's a living organism that you pay for. Understanding how the council functions is the first step in making sure it actually works for you.