September 30th is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. On this day and everyday, we honour the children who never returned home and survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities.

📣 Do you live in Surrey and want to learn more about your local government? We’re organizing a tour of Surrey City Hall, hosted by the city’s parks, recreation & culture team on Fri, Sep 26th from 12:00pm to 2:30pm! Register here: form-can.keela.co/surrey-city-...

Do you live or work in the City of Vancouver? Share your thoughts with City Council about the 2026 Budget: buff.ly/zePeHjn For more, follow @womentcities.bsky.social - thanks so much for your leadership on this!

We've enjoyed doing more long-form media interviews this year like with Hope Dialogue Radio Show and Podcast at Central City Foundation. Listen to our episode where we talk civic engagement, municipal power, & embedding equity: centralcityfoundation.ca/hope-dialogue-radio-show-and-podcast/

Contact your Federal Member of Parliament using this excellent guide from @womentcities.bsky.social www.instagram.com/p/DMyHueoy9hQ/

We are deeply concerned about the cuts to Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE), the federal department responsible for advancing gender equity. These cuts will impact countless organizations providing critical programs to women and gender minorities. Here's how you can take action 🧵

Proud that @womentcities.bsky.social is partnering with Canadian Drug Policy Coalition for an upcoming webinar: To End a Crisis: A Vision for BC Drug Policy will be a Zoom webinar starting Sep 23 from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm Come learn with us: www.eventbrite.ca/e/to-end-a-c...

📢 Vancouver city council will make some big decisions at its last meeting of the summer. ⁠ Including reviewing the controversial School Liaison Officers program, protecting supportive modular housing & looking into whether those with more resources can pay their fair share.

Our workshop, "Examining the Role of Local Government in Truth & Reconciliation" starts tmr June 12 at 12 pm on Zoom. To mark the 10 year anniversary of the publication TRC Calls to Action, join us to look at the important role local government has in advancing Truth and Reconciliation.⁠

We don't have libraries without library workers. While we were pleased this motion passed, we're concerned with this amendment. The cause of library hours being cut is chronic underfunding, not workers' rights.

Vancouver city council made some big decisions his week—we applaud them for voting to increase library funding, identify and fund new washrooms and drop-in spaces, and keep resident-led advisory committees intact. 👏🏼

On Wednesday, Vancouver's city council will be reviewing several important issues - including a motion to increase funding for our community libraries. If you're able, please consider voicing your support: vancouver.ca/your-governm... #vanpoli

Vancouver City Council will make a number of important decisions this week on library funding, drop-in centres, public washrooms, & resident-led advisory committees. All have big implications for women & gender-diverse communities, esp. people who are low-income, underhoused, & have disabilities.

Last Oct, we sounded the alarm that the City of Vancouver seemed like they were about to dissolve citizen advisory committees and our collective advocacy stopped that:

We know long lines & other barriers were frustrating for many people. We’re committed to sharing your feedback with city staff and council & making recommendations for improvements. 👋DM us your voting story, feedback, or recommendations! We’ll compile anonymized feedback to share with the city.

Voters sent a strong message that equity, tenant rights, community services, safe transportation, climate action, and integrity matter to them. But there is still more work to be done. Having our voices heard through voting is important, but so is engaging in democracy between elections.

Vancouver residents have elected two new city councillors. Congratulations @seanorr.bsky.social and @lucymaloney.bsky.social. We look forward to working with you, and the rest of council, on the equity commitments made through our Hot Pink Paper Campaign.

🔔 Mail-in ballot reminder 🔔 📥 Pick up your mail-in ballot before this Fri, 12pm from the election office. 🏃‍♀️ Drop off your ballot before 5pm on Sat, Apr 5, at a designated community centre. ‼️ OR before 8pm on Sat, Apr 5, at City Hall (453 West 12th Ave) or the Election Office (305 West 8th Ave).

👋 Tomorrow Tues, Apr 1 is the last day for advance voting in the by-election! 🗳️ Last chance to vote is this Sat, Apr 5 at any of Vancouver's community centres.

We'll be reminding you of upcoming voting deadlines for the by-election as they come up. Here are the key dates: 🗓️ Tues, Apr 1: Last day for advance polling at City Hall (453 West 12th) from 8 am to 8 pm 🗓️ Sat, Apr 5: By-election voting day at community centres in Vancouver from 8 am to 8 pm

Voting by mail in the Vancouver by-election? You can still request a vote-by-mail package but you have to pick it up yourself from the Election Office! ➡️ Apr 1 by noon deadline to request the vote-by-mail package. ➡️ Apr 4 by noon deadline to pick up your vote-by-mail package.

🔔 Advance voting in Vancouver's by-election starts tomorrow, March 26! You can vote at City Hall (453 West 12th) from 8 am to 8 pm.

Vancouver’s April 5th by-election will have big implications for affordable housing, climate action, public space, transportation, and equity.⁠

Voting resource! Here is a Google calendar that has all key dates + info on the Vancouver by-election that you can add to your own calendar.

We need equity champions at City Hall. ⁠ ⁠ That's why WTC developed 8 policy asks for a more inclusive city through our Hot Pink Paper Campaign (HPPC), and asked candidates in the April 5 by-election if they'll commit to implement these policies if elected.⁠

Tag your candidates and ask if they’ll take action on our policy asks if elected to Vancouver City Council! From climate action to non-market housing to meaningful community safety solutions, you deserve to know where the people who are seeking to represent you on council stand.

Vancouver will elect 2 new councillors in the April 5th by-election. From now until election day, candidates will be asking you for your vote––that means you get to ask them if they’re committed to your priorities.

Take Action: 📥 Email city council telling them you oppose the ban on supportive housing. Use First United DTES's letter-writing tool. 🗣️ Speak at Feb 26 council meeting against Motion 3. ✊ Attend the rally at city hall on Feb 26 at 1pm. More here: www.womentransformingcities.org/single-post/...

We need our leaders to work in meaningful partnership with the people closest to the real and pressing safety challenges in the Downtown Eastside and the low-barrier housing systems. Supportive housing aims to help people. Removing one part, like low-barrier housing, weakens the whole structure.

Mayor Ken Sim’s motion to ban supportive housing comes to council this Wed, Feb 26. Part of a plan to overhaul the Downtown Eastside, it targets low-barrier housing and supports for people experiencing homelessness and people who use drugs or who face mental health challenges.

Next steps: √ Share this post to get the word out about the election √ Follow @womentcities.bsky.social, City Hive Vancouver, Vancouver Shapers for more updates about the election and other civic engagement opportunities √ Check out WTC’s blog post about the Vancouver By-election (link in bio)

Have you heard people talking about a by-election in Vancouver and wondering what’s going on? A by-election is a rare but important opportunity to have a say in the future of the city. We break down what it is, why it matters, and how you can get involved!

Timely report for the upcoming #Vancouver by-election. Every elected party agreed to the policy asks developed with community by @womentcities.bsky.social - - - but what have they done in 2 years? Will this help you decide who to vote for April 5? www.instagram.com/p/DFqycTCTC4...

We're hiring for an Education Coordinator! This hybrid full-time position is for someone who loves building relationships and thrives off of curating engaging and impactful learning experiences. Applications close Fri, Feb 28. www.womentransformingcities.org/careers

At our upcoming Watch Council Drop-In Session, (Mon, Feb 3 at 12pm) we'll discuss how our community can respond to Ken Sim's latest announcement to "revitalize" the Downtown Eastside by pausing supportive housing. Register here and see you on Monday. form-can.keela.co/wtc-drop-in-sessions

Tix are now sold out! WTC members, if you're interested, you can join the waitlist by emailing [email protected].

4 tickets left for our member speed-friending event happening this Sunday at Saunter in Gastown! This will be fun event for our members to make new connections and friends in a relaxed social setting. Each ticket comes with 1 complimentary drink and pastry. www.eventbrite.ca/e/wtc-member...

So much love to you Trudi for sharing! 🤎

WTC (Women Transforming Cities) is a Vancouver based organization focused on making communities more equitable and centering people made most marginalized by policies and cultural norms. Become a member (it's $10 and then you get all the workshops for free!) womentransformingcities.org /1

Across Jan, we're aiming to have 50 new members join WTC. What's coming up for members: speed-friending coffee events, learning series webinars, intersectional feminist book club, marches, and more! Share this post to someone you know in the Lower Mainland 🌱 womentransformingcities.org/membership

One of the best ways to combat despair is to take action in community.

We're on Bluesky now 👋 🗣️ WTC works to dismantle intersecting systems of oppression to transform where we live into places where everyone can belong. 🤎 We're a member-based org with 200+ feminists. 🌱 Let's be mutuals if you're interested in municipal politics in Vancouver and equity issues.