Ian and Matthew are up bright and early to celebrate covering our third municipal election!

We power through Vancouver and its environs, sharing some thoughts on (almost) every municipality’s race and who we’d support if we had to. Some are enthusiastic, others are extremely begrudging. Just make sure to vote today!

Links

Progressive Unity? Rebecca Bligh Endorsers Challenge the Script | The Tyee

Harcourt, Meggs and Ladner letter

Brenda Bailey endorses Bligh

Unite Here 40 endorsement

Predicting the 2026 Vancouver municipal election (Nathan Caddell, Georgia Straight)

Canada Pulse Insights – Vancouver

Most Vancouver voters want a new mayor, but challengers split change vote: poll

The Cat Guy

Canada Pulse Insights – Surrey

Leger Polling

A provincial election threatens to disrupt our regular programming, just like COPE’s “Evict Ken Sim” campaign is hurting Ken Sim. Challengers drop off, paving the way for Mayor Pete Fry, if the polls are to be believed. The cops stay “neutral” and the aquatic centre is coming down.

Vancity Lookout’s Nate Lewis joins Ian to break it all down.

Links

Vancity Lookout

Ken Sim on Instagram

Stephanie Allen and COPE end their Mayoral campaign, urging progressives to get behind one candidate — COPE Vancouver

A personal update from William – Vote OneCity Vancouver

Fry takes lead in Vancouver’s mayoral race » Justason Market Intelligence and Progressives lead council race » Justason Market Intelligence

Vancouver Police Union won’t endorse a mayoral candidate this municipal election

Vote Public Safety

Vote for Here

Vancouver Aquatic Centre set for demolition after legal challenge denied | CBC News

Cottage Hospice

Ken Sim taks a page from Danielle Smith’s books and decides we need to vote on some things, facts be damned. Will it be enough to save him from the polls? Stewart Prest fills in on this one.

Links

Check out Stewart’s Substack: Politics, Explained

Council adds plebiscite question to Vancouver Election Ballot

1/3 of the Vote Could Suffice in Vancouver’s Mayoral Election – Research Co.

Mario Canseco: Sim leads Vancouver mayoral race, but field remains wide open, poll says

Vancouver Pallas Poll: Sim’s Favourability Underwater, Over a Third Still Undecided

Remembering the deadly day when a Russian freighter rammed BC Ferries’ Queen of Victoria – Vancouver Is Awesome

A busy council agenda but not before they break early for the summer. Ken Sim flip flops on the park board once more while making vague threats against the province. Metro Vancouver’s CAO is out and Richmond’s speeds are slowing.

Links

• Opposition cries foul as Vancouver council scrubs last meeting before summer break | CBC News
• Village plan? New tallest towers? Vancouver council faces summer sprint | CBC News
• Vancouver Villages Plan draws massive turnout at city hall as debate over housing densification continues
• Vancouver mayor says he won’t try to eliminate the park board if re-elected | CBC News
• Vancouver mayor threatens ‘unprecedented’ action against the province, can’t say why it is necessary
• Vancouver mayor’s office inquired about public plaza: FOI reveals
• Metro Vancouver CAO Jerry Dobrovolny could be on his way out – BC | Globalnews.ca
• Speed limit reduced to 30 km/h on residential roads in Richmond
• 30 km/h speed limits coming to Richmond neighbourhood streets | CBC News
• Trans-Canada Air Lines Flight 3 – Wikipedia

Photo credit: Tannoy at Wikipedia

The left remains fractured as the VDLC backs William Azaroff and OneCity. Ken Sim and ABC face scrutiny over reversing the natural gas ban, blocking Vision Zero speed reductions, dismissing code of conduct violations and shuttering a proposed Yaletown overdoe prevention site. But at least we have the World Cup coming to town!

In Surrey, the police chief was fired. The mayor of Port Moody faces challenges from the left and right. And Richmond schools debate ribbons.

Links

Stephanie Allen named COPE candidate in crowded Vancouver mayoral race | CBC News

VDLC endorses Azaroff and OneCity slate

Former OneCity council candidate Armor Valor joins Vancouver Liberals

Vancouver passes mayor’s motion to pause emissions tracking, ban on natural gas heating in new homes | CBC News

Vancouver council backs away from reducing speed limits on major roads | CBC News

Vancouver mayor decries ‘misinformation’ after saying he uses 11 AI agents to do work | CBC News

Overdose prevention site in Vancouver’s downtown core not reopening: minister | CBC News

Vancouver mayor won’t be sanctioned for harassing, personally attacking councillor

B.C. government modelling predicts hosting FIFA will produce lasting benefits. History tells a different story | CBC News

Doug McCallum calls for investigation into Surrey police chief firing | Maple Ridge News

Paul Lambert launches bid to become Port Moody mayor

Metro Vancouver enters Stage 3 water restrictions as snowpack melts a month early – BC | Globalnews.ca

Elementary school track meet changes spark backlash in Richmond, B.C.

Richmond school district seeks feedback on gender-neutral, no-ribbon track meet

Vancouveratta Vancouver International Festival | The Canadian Encyclopedia