Cambie Report

Elections BC has released the financial reports from the 2022 municipal elections and we can see how efficient each party's spending was. Meanwhile, the staff report from the Climate Emergency Action Plan is pretty bleak and ABC opted to slash the climate justice charter from its further implementation. This prompted a question of whether ABC is predetermining outcomes of council votes (probably), which is better than in New West where they just have too many votes.Back in Vancouver, successful votes mean social housing near the Italian Cultural Centre and the end of the single use cup fee. It also means the end of the Stanley Park bike lane - at least until another round of consultations is completed on installing a permanent lane. Until then, feel free to join Critical Mass once again on the last Friday of every month.The cops and nurses plan turns out to be just cops. Langley SkyTrain is on track. And Surrey homeowners will pay more but not 55% more.And in schools, Vancouver removes a racists' name, Coquit

Whether Gregorian or Lunar, Happy New Year.We're back to look at missing middle initiatives in Victoria and Vancouver. Plus what's hot and not for ABC. Surrey won't have an answer on policing anytime soon. And Kennedy Stewart is in the news once more.LinksVictoria council adopts divisive missing middle housing programMissing Middle Housing Initiative | Have Your Say'Plex appeal: Vancouver eyeing six-unit housing in low-density neighbourhoodsVancouver staff presentation and reportHere are the transit projects Metro Van mayors want in the next decade | CBC News .Minister’s statement on Surrey policing transition | BC Gov News Richard Zussman on Twitter: "NEW - Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke says Surrey residents will have to pay a one-time tax increase of 55%, in addition to the normal tax rate set by council to pay for Surrey Police Service transition if B.C. Government rejects proposal to stay with RCMP. #bcpoli" / TwitterABC defends axing Vancouver Renter Office, citing ‘duplication of service’ - BC | Globalnews.

Motions are passing unanimously at council but marginally more controversially at Park Board. The planning department is a mess, as is policing south of the Fraser. And sculptures!LinksBoyle nonprofit housing motion passesVancouver City Council approves exploring expediting social housing up to 12 storeys Text of the Klassen amendment Hardwick abstained from speakingCAC motion passes Vancouver Park Board approves immediate removal of Stanley Park Drive bike lane Thousands of Vancouver housing units in limbo in tug-of-war between developers, city planners - The Globe and MailCity of Vancouver must reconsider controversial Chinatown development application, court rules Court ruling In defense of the "gentrification building" Surrey council votes to scrap police transition, B.C. public safety minister respondsSurrey policing: 'Power politics' at play in final decision, says criminologistLangley, the township, is interested in breaking up with Langley, the city, on RCMP costs | CBC NewsNew Langley Township counci

Doug McCallum is a free man, having been found not guilty of mischief. Ken Sim began his stint as Mayor of Vancouver with a trip to Qatar to watch the world cup. But he was back in time for budget debates, where he questioned the revenue generating possibilities of the library. There's lots more coming up at council, the regional boards see some shakeups and UBC and Translink want to build houses.Former Surrey mayor Doug McCallum found not guilty of public mischief | CBC NewsDan Fumano: FIFA World Cup-bound Mayor Sim to miss police board budget meetingVancouver police request $383 million budget for 2023City needs 7% tax increase'We misunderstood': Vancouver mayor's public safety plan not being funded by the province after allCongestion tax is deadVancouver council votes to adopt controversial definition of antisemitism | CBC NewsRELEASE: Councillor Boyle returns non-market housing motion to City HallVancouver City Council to overhaul developer community amenity contributions with fixed ratesBody cam motion g

Everyone is on trial this week as Doug McCallum is in court, the VPD put themselves in the hotseat attempting to press the case against social spending in the DTES and council faces its first tests.Kennedy Stewart quits TwitterWitness at outgoing Surrey mayor's trial testifies she told him she would be the one 'that brought him down' | CBC NewsDoug McCallum foot picsSurrey Police Union says 94% of members have 'no intention' of joining RCMP | CBC NewsRob Shaw: Leaked VPD report an inflated work of fiction - Commentary | Business in VancouverIncoming B.C. premier David Eby says province will take over coordinating approach to Downtown Eastside  26 things that should happen in Vancouver in the next four years | UrbanizedPlan to demolish Vancouver’s viaducts needs a fresh look, ABC councillor says - BC | Globalnews.caCouncil agenda November 15, 2022Parents engage lawyer to warn VSB of incoming trusteeTrustee-elect on Vancouver School Board deemed 'ineligible individual' by Canada Revenue AgencyAmy Lubik wins sec

Ian and Matthew react to the results of the 2022 Vancouver municipal election and check in across the environs.2022 Election unofficial results - chart view53 Years Ago, Vancouver’s Very Own Fool Turned This City Upside Down | MONTECRISTO

One final look at the election with just under two days until we have the results. We dig into Surrey a bit more and then look at the other interesting races to follow.Mainstreet PollLeger PollMetro Vancouver’s Spiciest Local Elections | The TyeeFive-way race for mayor in Maple Ridge as nominations closeIn this B.C. town, big money is bulldozing democracy ⋆ The BreachHow anonymous social media groups are changing small town elections in B.C. | CBC NewsRushed this one out the door so apologies for any audio quality issues.Image via Wikimedia

A recap of how the campaigns have gone and who we think deserves a vote in Vancouver.Link mentioned: Vancouver Police Union breaks with tradition and endorses ABC Vancouver for municipal election | CBC News

Ian's on vacation so Brent Richter from North Shore News joins Matthew to break down the state of the races in the North Vancouvers and West Vancouver.

The candidate lists are finalized and Vancouver voters once again have over a hundred names to choose from. Stewart Prest (@StewartPrest) calls in to discuss the implications for voters and whether this makes electoral reform a necessity.Then we get into some of the latest policy announcements, what the new council will have to do with and threats against Port Coquitlam’s mayor.Who is running in the election | City of VancouverPlan Your Vote | City of VancouverMayor Stewart Announces Health and Addictions Response Team (HART)ABC Vancouver announces plans to address misogyny, homophobia, and sexual violence in sport through groundbreaking ‘safe sport officer’ programOne Burnaby releases platformTaller towers, more rental homes in revised proposal at Commercial-Broadway Station | UrbanizedSenior pleads guilty to threatening to kill Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West - Tri-City NewsBoo: Stanley Park Ghost Train cancelled for 3rd consecutive year - BC | Globalnews.caVancouveratta - Trains in Stanley ParkStanley Park

The final nominations are in and Vancouver is about  to do its draw for the random ballot order. But some candidates, notably the entire NPA, wants to include non-Latin characters in their names.Women Transforming Cities released a report card where most candidates seemingly endorse everything, even things they previously voted against--with a few notable exceptions.The Vancouver Greens expel a candidate who sold their data to Progress Vancouver. And the NPA has a candidate who tells landlords to poop in their tenant's toilets.Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam and Burnaby won't be having elections for Mayor. Read what Ian had to say to the Burnaby Beacon about that.The NPA are for public safety while OneCity is for mental health response teams and ending homelessness.Forward Together has the start of a housing plan, which is not as comprehensive as those we've previously discussed.Forward is also facing criticism for an alleged fundraiser list. Frances Bula, as always, has more.ABC and COPE released their donor li

Unlike One Burnaby, the Cambie Report is not pausing to observe the Queen's death.Mario Canseco (@mario_canseco) joins us to talk about the latest poll from Research CO.OneCity has started releasing its You Belong in Vancouver platform with planks on housing and community power. See also Dan Fumano's coverage. Progress Vancouver also dropped their housing plan. We compare and contrast.ABC wants cops to wear body cams, something not strongly supported by the evidence.Mike Howell speaks to Colleen Hardwick and the result is a wild ride.Justin McElroy continues to do great work looking at council voting records.Good news for the future of Hogan's Alley.Nigel Malkin ends his campaign for West Vancouver council.Upzoning Victoria hits a major snag.And our Vancouveratta looks at Lake City Way station, the only in-fill station until Capstan is completed.Cover art via Bryn Davidson @Lanefab

The NPA names its new mayoral contestant, former Vancouver 1st candidate Fred Harding, only to lose park board candidates Tricia Barker & Kumi Kimura to TEAM.ABC announces a transparency policy.Vancouver is appealing its defeated SRO vacancy control bylaw and the courts, and the province, basically allowed Coquitlam  to get away with breaking the law.And familiar names are running in Coquitlam, Richmond, Langley and Maple Ridge. Which leads to a Vancouveratta about a former little ferry.Fred Harding announces for NPA Vancouver NPA loses Tricia Barker, candidate joins TEAM ABC transparency policy Vancouver appeals SRO vacancy control rulingNicholson v. CoquitlamNo byelection? No penalty, B.C. minister says after court ruling on Coquitlam's decision - Tri-City News Richard Stewart runs againDerek Dang, Kash Heed aiming for political comebacks in October’s Richmond election - Economy, Law & Politics | Business in VancouverRich Coleman runs in Langley TownshipBattle for Maple RidgeMaple Ridge city council

Doug McCallum is promising unicorns.TEAM: Colleen Hardwick in tight 3 way race for MayorUnarmed and 'begging for help': Family of man shot with bean bag gun in Vancouver wants answersIndigenous father of 7 identified as man who died after being shot with Vancouver police beanbag gun‘Good progress’: Vancouver mayor on contentious efforts to remove Hastings Street tentsSeries of Downtown Eastside building fires alarm residents, advocates | CBC NewsPoverty, pavement, isolation: A closer look at B.C. heat deathsKen Sim's ABC Vancouver party promises to plant 100,000 trees in four years | UrbanizedDan Fumano: Vancouver developer behind anonymous group spending thousands on political adsMayor Doug McCallum proposes 60000-seat stadium for SurreyDoug McCallum's vision of a 60,000-seat stadium in Surrey 'a tall order,' says Rogers Arena builder | CBC NewsBrenda Locke rumourHarrison Hot Springs housingAlvin Singh joins ForwardVDLC endorses SinghDavid Chin running with ProgressRogers Arena - Wikipedia

Breaking: B.C. to ration liquor amid ongoing strike, says industry group | Globalnews.ca Lots continues to happen in local politics as ABC and Progress release very different platforms to respond to the overdose and homelessness crises. The service agreement for the Sen̓áḵw development is out. And there's lots of speculation and names running for councils across the region.LinksKen Sim promiseDan Fumano: Vancouver mayoral candidate Ken Sim proposes hiring 100 cops, 100 nurses, in plan rivals call unrealisticHow will he fund it?Tents will be with us until we build the housing and support services we need - Commentary | Business in Vancouver Squamish Nation development in Vancouver aims to add 10,000 residents, creating the city’s densest community yet - The Globe and MailKhelsilem clapbackDesign - Sen̓áḵwNPA mayoral speculation and More speculation Kishone Roy leaves Vision May He joins ProgressMarie Noelle Rosa joins ProgressJack Hundial not running again in Surrey Background: Hundial the latest councillor to

The removal of tents began on Hastings but ended with a clash between activists and police. Kennedy releases donors and Progress announces 2 candidates.LinksRemoval of tent city on East Hastings delayed again as tensions boil overLittle change to East Hastings tent city as residents wonder where to go | Vancouver SunOneCity calls for halt to tent removalsForward Together donation disclosures Power 50Dan Fumano: Most Vancouver parties pledge pre-election transparency. One didn't NPA candidate Mauro Francis jumps to ProgressMorgane Oger announced as Progress candidateRich Coleman rumoured to be considering Langley Township runChuck Puchmayr for New WestminsterBrad West to run again in Port CoquitlamCouncil pushes contentious South Surrey townhouse development forwardSRO vacancy control struck downBC Supreme Court rulingB.C. Supreme Court quashes Vancouver bylaws limiting rent increase between single occupancy housing tenancies | CBC NewsVancouveratta: Hastings StHastings Street: A Corridor of Transformation - S

The wild summer lead up to the municipal elections continues!John Coupar quits the race for mayor following another bad poll for him.The Vancouver Plan passes, with plenty of amendments, including an amended amendment that drew the ire of Black Vancouverites.A Kitsilano social housing complex also passed, also after 300 speakers. But the controversy played a part in the decision to quit by BC Housing's CEO.We also know how little Port Coquitlam will save by leaving the LMLGA, which doesn't really explain why they left.Dan Fumano exposes that Lululemon founder Chip Wilson is rallying BC's elite to stop socialism. There seems to be a connection between this new group and Views of Vancouver, who continue to spend significantly on ads in Vancouver.Vancouver's Fire Chief ordered the urgent removal of tents along Hastings, which is already postponed.Ken Sim backtracks on ABC's plan to abolish the Parks Board.VOTE Socialist announces its candidates and platform, including 50c transit.Green candidate Zahra Esmail qui

It's been ten days since we recorded and yet so much has happened.Peter Meiszner got owned on Twitter.Michael Wiebe got owned by the Court of Appeal (read the ruling) but he might still bring us a new Vancouver Special.The VDLC nominate one more - but notably not one of their own - while Port Coquitlam mysteriously quits its local government association.The Surrey SkyTrain business case is approved, including lots of housing.Our beach logs are still in jail and council snubbed a proposed pool for Mount Pleasant.A new shadow group is advertising on Facebook, as pre-election disclosure rules are about to kick in.More reddit analysis of voting trends of City Council.In nomination news, Mike Klassen joins ABC, Nigel Malkin announces for West Van Council (despite not registering his party) and Haven Lubrieki announces for Port Moody Council.New Westminster considers being a bit less Royal, in the spirit of reconciliation, which is getting called out by at least one Indigenous activist.The president of TEAM resigns

Your biweekly municipal politics podcast is back for its monthly episode.Broadway passes and now we're into our next marathon public hearing, with another on the docket. It's so much they've postponed another until after the election.In election news though, the VDLC has announced (most of) their endorsements, and Forward Together and the NPA have council slates.  In Burnaby, a new challenger - for council - emerges. While in Coquitlam there will not be a byelection. And in Surrey, debates about flags.Finally, the barge is being disassembled, as might some pristine farmland.And in our Vancouveratta, we recognize Mr Richmond.We rushed the edit on this one folks, so enjoy a looser Cambie Report as we try to catch up on some sleep to get back in the virtual studio in a couple weeks.LinksVancouver city council approves Broadway Plan after long debate | CBC NewsBroadway Plan approved by Council | City of VancouverControversial Kitsilano social and supportive housing project heads to city council | Globalnews.caBil

Brian Kelcey (@StateOfTheCity) joins us to talk political slush funds. Then we look at the state of the debate around the Broadway Plan, upcoming motions, a possibly doomed attempt to upzone Victoria, construction in Coquitlam, chaos in Surrey, shenanigans in schools and the latest nomination news.LinksFollow Brian @StateOfTheCityDaphne Bramham: Americanization of Vancouver politics has created 'dysfunctional' city governanceDaphne Bramham: Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart has $4-million advantage, thanks to taxpayersNPA slams '$4 million Mayor' and promises to end political slush fundThread: Brian Kelcey's threadPolicy Options: To lead in the 21st century, Canadian mayors need the power to proposeJohn Coupar and machetes Frances Bula suggests 30+ amendments coming for Broadway PlanA Better Broadway Plan: Radical Pro-Affordability | The TyeeDan Fumano: For parks in Broadway plan, city may need to get creative | Vancouver SunCouncil cocktail culture motionCouncil Plaza Pilot extension'It may never happen': Vote