If you're in Vancouver right now I highly recommend you find a way to cash in on the 3 hours of sunlight that will probably be the last you'll see for the next week+

Federal Transport minister with us in studio right now. Steven MacKinnon is here. The Early Edition 88.1 FM

5 people have been killed on the roads in Metro Vancouver in the last week, including a driver, a cyclist, and 3 pedestrians, one of whom was a young child. Each of them had lives, families and friends, aspirations and potential that will not be realized. Each of them could have been me, or you.

I'm a duel citizen of Australia and Canada. I'm sickened reading this morning about the antisemitic mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach. My deepest condolences to families, friends and communities of the victims. May their memories be a blessing. +

Hey #Vancouver - feeling the giving spirit? The DEWC needs more gifts for the 200 holiday hampers. They made it easy - you can order online and ship directly to them. Bring a little joy to someone @cbcstephenquinn.bsky.social (maybe share?) www.listful.com/dewc/list/de...

Proud to support this motion from Councillor @lucymaloney.bsky.social to restrict right-on-red to protect vulnerable road users like my family. Hoping to see it actually and comprehensively reflected in the City's Vision Zero Study.

BREAKING TODAY: Vancouver Council finally passed UNANIMOUSLY building bylaw changes allowing single-stair buildings up to 6 storeys, with a @lucymaloney.bsky.social amendment for corresponding zone changes. Congratulations to all who’ve championed this including @lanefab.com & @holz-bau.bsky.social.

Vancouver city councillor @lucymaloney.bsky.social has introduced a new Council motion that would get rid of right turns on red lights in the city. Via @dailyhivevancouver.bsky.social Unquestionably the smart, evidence-based move for EVERYONE’s safety, but especially for people walking & on bikes.

Next week @lucymaloney.bsky.social will be introducing a motion asking the city to study right-turn-on-red restrictions at some intersections in Vancouver. council.vancouver.ca/20251210/doc... #bikeyvr 1/3

As a pedestrian, transit user, cyclist, occasional biker, and driver: *Good*. If I never get honked at again for being cautious about turning right at a red, it'll still be too soon.

This is an easy policy proposal to get behind.

"The City’s own data indicate that conflicts involving right-turning vehicles are among the most common types of pedestrian collisions ... If adopted, these changes would mark one of the most significant intersection-safety reforms in Vancouver in years." dailyhive.com/vancouver/va...

We worked with @lucymaloney.bsky.social on a motion coming to council on December 10 to ban right turns on red at high-risk intersections. This is a low-cost, common-sense measure that will save lives. We need your help to tell council this matters! visionzerovancouver.ca/2025/12/04/d...

I'm so thrilled that we have not just one but two accomplished, community-serving, values-driven leaders vying to be nominated by OneCity members as our first Mayoral candidate, in an open, transparent process. Bring it on @wazaroff.bsky.social, Amanda Burrows and @onecityvan.bsky.social

RIP Repair Cafes run by spec.bc.ca ABC’s budget death count thus far: summer fireworks, community repair cafes @lucymaloney.bsky.social @seanorr.bsky.social

Just putting this here. www.onecityvancouver.ca/volunteer

Today, despite hundreds of people speaking and thousands writing in opposition, Vancouver's Mayor and his ABC majority on council passed their "zero means zero" budget, which freezes property taxes for those fortunate enough to own homes at the expense of everyone else. 1/

We just submitted an open letter to Vancouver Council signed by 250+ residents, including >100 physicians & other health professionals, urging them to withdraw the proposed 2026 budget. The budget puts climate action, public health, & community safety at risk. @womentcities.bsky.social

Was great to tour Kingsway Community Station today along w @lucymaloney.bsky.social. Unfortunately they’re worried that competing for a stagnant pool of grants risks their work which protects vulnerable sex workers. They’re looking for a new location but w/out service level agreement it’s likely

On our last speaker now.

“In my work with cities, one of my messages that resonates most is that the truth about the cities aspirations isn’t found in its plans and visions. It’s found in its budget. A budget may be the most powerful public policy lever a Council has, and the most authentic one because It reveals so much.”

“My name is Brent Toderian. I’m a resident of Vancouver. I’m also a city planner, a former chief planner for Vancouver, and now an advisor to cities across Canada & around the world. Council knows I don’t make a habit of this. I can count on one hand the times I’ve spoken to council as a citizen.”

Mayor Sim is once again not present in person or on line to hear speakers.

We’re starting again at 3.00 pm with speaker 292. On the home stretch.

55% of Vancouver are renters. a 0% tax increase would only benefit half the population. Do we govern for half or govern for all? #VanPoli

Candidates for Mayor in Vancouver for next year’s municipal election are starting to officially launch their campaigns. Here’s one I’ll be watching closely given his housing and community-building experience, @wazaroff.bsky.social with @onecityvan.bsky.social.

We’ve recessed for the night at 10.00 pm. We’ll be starting hearing from public speakers on the City of Vancouver 2026 budget again tomorrow (Wednesday) at 3.00 pm with speaker number 292. (We’re cycling back through the missed speakers.

We’re currently hearing from speaker 614. Total of 631 speakers on the list so it looks like we will start circling back to the start in the next 30-60 minutes.

We’re up to speaker 548. We have 4 hours left this evening so if you missed your spot, keep an eye on YouTube or here so you are ready when we circle back to the speaker numbers that missed their spot.

The Mayor isn’t here to hear speakers - the meeting is being chaired by Acting Mayor Zhou.

Vancouver City Council has just resumed to continue to hear speakers on the 2026 Capital and Operating Budget. We’re up to speaker 450.

Exciting news - I’m seeking the mayoral nomination with @OneCityVan! 1 / 5 youtu.be/2MTf7QmcEpc

Great to see @lucymaloney.bsky.social and @jfatkey.bsky.social on the first day of #HousingCentral today! What a kickoff!

My ABC Council colleagues are vocal about pushing back on the Province downloading responsibilities onto the City, but last night they voted to build on public open space to make up for the education funding shortfall, squarely the responsibility of the Province.

My ABC Council colleagues are vocal about pushing back on the Province downloading responsibilities onto the City, but last night they voted to build on public open space to make up for the education funding shortfall, squarely the responsibility of the Province.

Tonight the ABC majority voted to build housing on part of Fleming Elementary’s school grounds saying their hands were tied by Vancouver School Board’s decision to divest school land to build rental housing despite an outcry from the community.

Tonight the ABC majority voted to build housing on part of Fleming Elementary’s school grounds saying their hands were tied by Vancouver School Board’s decision to divest school land to build rental housing despite an outcry from the community.

We’re about to start again, hearing speakers to the City of Vancouver Capital and Operating Budget for 2026. Starting with speaker 270.

Austerity budgets are always about short-term gains, and long term losses. Vancouver's City Council is voting on a budget that will save little and cost the city much. stewartprest.substack.com/p/vancouver-...

Today we’re listening to staff reports first, then Counillors will have an opportunity to ask questions. Only after Councillors’ questions will we start listening to public speakers.

15+ years old, but still VERY relevent — and if we had acted 15 years ago, the “better world” we’d be creating would be a LOT better & easier to reach. There are real consequences we’re just starting to see to not heeding this cartoon a lot sooner. Even worse if we don’t heed it now. #ClimateCrisis

🌍✨ Vancouver’s Climate Work Is On the Chopping Block Mayor Ken Sim + ABC councillors plan to cut major climate action programs. For 35 years, Vancouver has been a global leader in local climate action — starting with the 1990 Clouds of Change report. 🌱

Tomorrow Vancouver City Council will start hearing from the hundreds of people who have signed up to speak to Council about Ken Sim and ABC’s Zero Means Zero budget.

Nerd thread alert. Woke up this morning and started skim reading the provincially commissioned independent review of E-Comm 911, the body that handles 911 phone calls and dispatches. Let me relate this to the police budget in #yyj, and #bcpoli more broadly.

Vancouver has spent decades building up a now well-earned reputation for leadership on environmental sustainability. Apparently, the mayor and ABC majority don't see the value in it. Hard to imagine a better way to damage the city's brand.

Just 30 minutes left to sign up to oppose this budget. Ken Sim is trying to gut the city in the hopes that you'll forget his dismal record. We can't let him get away with it. SIGN UP TO SPEAK: vancouver.ca/your-governm...

"I'm concerned that by cutting environmental programs, we're mortgaging our future," said @lucymaloney.bsky.social, a councillor with OneCity. That includes the city's commitment to fight climate change & improve residents' ability to adapt to climate disasters like extreme heat & wildfire smoke.

Incredibly short-sighted and irresponsible, and completely disconnected from the real values & priorities of Vancouverites. This move would be awful not only for Vancouver, but also for all the cities that Vancouver’s leadership has inspired over decades of North American sustainability leadership.

Vancouver residents can sign up here to speak to council council.vancouver.ca/20251112/spe...

Is there “life after cars?” As authors always say, “you’ll have to read the book.”* Congrats to @visionzerovancouver.ca on a great packed event last night with @sgoodyear.bsky.social & @brooklynspoke.bsky.social + guests @lucymaloney.bsky.social & @tomflood.bsky.social. *spoiler: a BETTER life!