Removing change tables & product dispensers overwhelmingly burdens women & folks that menstruate. These indignities are multiplied when someone has unstable housing or doesn't have a home. Reliable access to bathrooms is a basic human dignity. Shame on Ken Sim & ABC for these budget cuts.

there's a change-in being staged at Vancouver City Hall next week, coinciding with the vote on a proposed budget that may see change tables removed from city facilities to "save money" www.instagram.com/p/DRNu5kYksgu/

Vancouver’s draft budget stinks: we demand a change! 👶💩 On Nov 25 from 9-10:30 am join WTC and friends at a diaper “change-in” at Vancouver City Hall as council prepares to vote on the draft operating budget.

Over 600 people signed up to speak to Vancouver council on the proposed 2026 budget, demanding transparency & protections for health, climate safety, & community wellbeing. Sign your name to the open letter from CAPE BC & our friends at @cane-bc.bsky.social & @womentcities.bsky.social !

Do you also think the draft Vancouver budget stinks? Join us next Tuesday, November 25th at 9am for a diaper change-in at city hall. This city should be for everyone, babies included. cc @womentcities.bsky.social @claraprager.bsky.social @stand.earth @cape-bc.bsky.social @michellecyca.com

Hey local electeds! Want to support equitable processes in your community? Join us and @womentcities.bsky.social on Dec 4 at 12pm for Designing for Equity. This hands-on workshop offers practical tools to build systems where everyone can participate and succeed. us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

In recent months, we joined a chorus of gender equity advocates across the country calling on the federal government to maintain WAGE funding. Today, WAGE Minister Rechie Valdez announced that Budget 2025 will include “ongoing, stable, predictable funding for the women’s sector.”

Warm thanks to everyone who made it out to Bring Your Own Craft this past Saturday 💕 Held at Tahanan Studio, this was a cozy social gathering held in honour of our growing community of members. We can't wait to host more member events like this!

This is the 4th municipal election where @womentcities.bsky.social will be working with community members to create policy asks of candidates. We've rebranded this program to OUR CITY HALL & beyond city hall. Let's work together in your community! www.womentransformingcities.org/blog/from-th...

We’re excited to unveil the new name of our grassroots campaign for the 2026 municipal election: Our City Hall! ⁠

On Nov. 4, Women Transforming Cities & Live Educate Transform Society will co-deliver an interactive workshop on #DisabilityJustice & local government: Learn more & register here https://disabilityalliancebc.org/workshop-disability-justice-and-local-government-tools-for-change/

This assessment tool helps elected leaders identify where decisions may have intended or unintended consequences for people who have been historically the most marginalized and harmed by institutions that hold power.

The workshop will provide hands-on approach for mayors, city councillors, and regional district directors to draft motions, resolutions, and amendments that support equitable processes so that we can collectively build systems where everyone can participate and succeed.

We're kicking off our fall conversation series with @womentcities.bsky.social Join us on Thurs, Oct 16 for Designing for Equity: Tools for Local Leaders. This workshop explores a new equity assessment tool for local elected leaders 🧵 Register now: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

We’ve got something BIG to share with you next week. ⏳🌟 Our advocacy work is evolving, and next week we will be launching a fresh look to reflect this exciting change. Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to be among the first to hear the news! Any guesses what it might be? 🤔

Registration is open for our virtual fall conversation series for local electeds! Join an inspiring lineup of non-profit and local leaders leaders to learn, share, and connect. Learn more and register at: ccg.eco/event/quarte... @climatecaucus.bsky.social @womentcities.bsky.social

In theory, I want equity baked into every aspect of the work an org does. But CoV is not there and cutting this department and a signal to equity deserving groups that City of Vancouver under the current leadership does not work for them.

We spoke with CTV News about why we do not agree with this decision:

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!