Standing Committee on City Finance and Services
May 20–21, 2026
Sessions
Session 1 Wed, May 20, 2026 · 09:30 am–10:01 pm Watch
- VanStat facilities presentation: Staff presented a sobering overview of the city's building portfolio — approximately 700 sites, $1.5 billion in deferred maintenance, 60% of buildings rated in poor condition by the Facility Condition Index. Fire halls lack HVAC, community centres face structural deterioration, and works yards have seismic vulnerabilities.
- Infrastructure levy increase (Motion 2, carried): Council directed staff to increase the annual infrastructure renewal levy from 1% to 2%, which would accelerate closing the estimated $500 million annual infrastructure deficit from roughly 40 years to 20 years.
- Tree inspection policy (Motion 5, on consent): Approved without debate.
- Cambie Bridge seismic upgrade contract (Motion 6, carried): Contract awarded for consultant services on a seismic upgrade and rehabilitation program. A building under the bridge housing City Studio and 311 staff will be demolished; park facilities at Cooper's Park will be reinstated with shoreline improvements.
- Towing by-law amendments (Motion 8, carried): Updates to align towing and impound fees with ICBC schedules, including a reduction in the fuel surcharge from 27% to 22% and addition of an itemized administration fee. Towing operators opposed the fuel surcharge cut; some speakers called for alignment with the Motor Vehicle Act instead of ICBC rates.
- Free swim lessons — Joe Fortes legacy (Motion 9, carried unanimously): Directs staff, in consultation with the Park Board, to design a program providing free beginner swim lessons for all Vancouver residents, with priority for children aged 3–12. Also directs staff to report on aquatic infrastructure targets and requests the Park Board restore pre-COVID operations at Kitsilano Pool and all outdoor pools.
- Italian Day on the Drive grant (Motion 14, carried): One-time extraordinary grant of up to $60,000 approved to address a funding shortfall caused by FIFA-related sponsorship pressures and loss of banner revenue on Commercial Drive.
- Small business development pressure (Motion 16, carried as amended): Directs staff to report on options for more durable approaches to mitigate development pressure on small businesses, arts spaces, and nonprofits, drawing on lessons from the expiring Development Potential Relief Program. An amendment narrowed the scope after staff flagged resource constraints.
- Sex worker safety policies (Motion 18, carried as amended): Motion sought reinstatement of the second sex worker social planner position eliminated in budget cuts, citing the Forsaken report's recommendations and a reported spike in violence. An amendment replaced the reinstatement direction with a broader review and reaffirmation of existing frameworks; opponents argued this gutted the motion's intent. Over 20 speakers addressed the item.
- Healthcare workforce housing (Motion 20, carried): Directs staff to report on opportunities to support affordable rental housing delivery for healthcare workers and other moderate- and low-income residents, and calls on provincial and federal governments to invest capital in affordable housing.
- Community centres post-disaster seismic preparedness (Motion 25, carried as amended): Original motion sought staff report on upgrading community centres slated for renewal to a higher "functional occupancy" seismic standard, enabling long-term post-disaster use. An amendment replaced the direction with a reference to existing UBC partnership assessments and the current Vancouver Building Bylaw standard. Supporters argued the amendment weakened the motion's intent.
- Arts and culture impact website (Motion 26, referred): Motion to create an interactive online tool aggregating socio-economic data on Vancouver's arts sector, modelled on Toronto Arts Council's platform, was referred to staff for information after staff indicated the work substantially overlaps with ongoing reporting.
- Building code alignment / green building rollback (Motion 32, carried): Mayor Sim's motion directing a comprehensive review of the Vancouver Building Bylaw, Energize Vancouver program, and energy step code requirements — including an immediate pause on Energize Vancouver enforcement and repeal of the gas water heater replacement requirement — generated over 100 registered speakers, the majority in opposition. Debate was adjourned at 10 p.m. and continued the following afternoon. Supporters cited affordability, consumer choice, and grid capacity constraints; opponents argued the motion was driven by fossil fuel industry lobbying, would lock in higher long-term costs, and would undermine a decade of climate leadership.
- Multiplex housing policy review (Motion 33, carried): Item on the agenda; debate adjourned with the building code motion for the following day.
Session 2 Thu, May 21, 2026 · 02:45 pm–07:55 pm Watch
- Building Code Alignment (Motion 32): Approved aligning Vancouver's building bylaw with the BC Building Code, pausing enforcement of the Energize Vancouver emissions reporting program, and reviewing local rules that go beyond provincial standards. Dozens of public speakers opposed the changes, arguing they weaken climate protections without meaningfully improving affordability; supporters cited construction costs, energy choice, and regulatory duplication. Amendments to strengthen transparency and protect climate measures were defeated.
- Multiplex Housing Policy Review (Motion 33): Approved a review of the 2023 multiplex housing policy based on early implementation concerns, including tree canopy loss, massing, shadowing, and neighbourhood fit. Speakers were broadly supportive of the review; one speaker and Councillor Maloney opposed it, warning it could make family-sized housing harder to build. An amendment to include heritage and character retention in the review was carried.
- VanStat Infrastructure Levy (Motion 2): Approved an increase to the VanStat infrastructure levy; amendments refined the facility condition index clause and removed certain further-that clauses.
- Cambie Bridge Seismic Upgrade (Motion 6): Contract for seismic upgrades to the Cambie Bridge approved.
- Towing By-law Amendments (Motion 8): Amendments to the city's towing by-law approved.
- Swimming Lessons (Joe Fortes Legacy) (Motion 9): Motion supporting free or subsidised swimming lessons passed; amendments to consult further, involve CUPE, and reference the Park Board's statutory role were defeated. An amendment to extend the program to all pools was carried.
- Italian Day Grant Support (Motion 14): Grant support for Italian Day approved.
- Small Business Development Pressure (Motion 16): Motion addressing development pressures on small businesses approved, with an amendment by Councillor Meiszner carried.
- Sex Worker Safety Policies (Motion 18): Policy motion on sex worker safety approved, with an amendment by Councillor Dominato carried.
- Healthcare Workforce Housing (Motion 20): Motion on housing for healthcare workers approved, with an amendment by Councillor Kirby-Yung carried.
- Community Centres Post-Disaster Seismic Preparedness (Motion 25): Motion on the role of community centres in post-disaster recovery and seismic preparedness approved after several procedural amendments and a reconsideration vote.
- Arts and Culture Impact Website Referral (Motion 26): Referred to staff.
- Tree Inspection Policy (Motion 5): Approved on consent.
From official documents
- VanStat presentation (Facilities Condition): Staff reported roughly 60% of city-owned buildings are in poor or very poor condition, with an estimated $1.5B deferred maintenance backlog. Council approved doubling the Infrastructure Levy from 1% to 2%, which would close the deficit by 2045 instead of 2065, and directed staff to produce a full Facility Condition Index for all 696 assets ahead of the next capital plan.
- Tree Inspection Policy: Adopted on consent. Updates the 1993 policy to cover all city-owned trees using modern risk-assessment standards, with a phased rollout beginning January 2027.
- Cambie Bridge Seismic Upgrade (Phase 3): Council authorized staff to negotiate a ~$6.4M contract with Associated Engineering (B.C.) Ltd. for engineering design and construction administration for the final phase of the seismic upgrade, spanning approximately seven years.
- Towing By-law amendments: Approved rate adjustments aligning with ICBC's December 2025 schedule: 3% increase in per-km towing rates, 5.5% increase in daily storage rates, reduced fuel surcharge, new itemized admin fees for late vehicle retrieval, and a requirement that impounded vehicles be stored within Vancouver.
- Free swimming lessons (Joe Fortes Legacy): Council directed staff to design a program providing free access to the first three levels of swimming lessons for all Vancouver residents (priority: children aged 3–12), develop a per-capita aquatic infrastructure target for 2035, and report back in early 2027 aligned with the Park Board's VanSplash strategy update. Also directed Park Board to restore pre-COVID operations at Kitsilano Pool and all other Vancouver pools.
- Italian Day grant: Approved a one-time extraordinary grant of up to $60,000 to the Italian Day Festival Society to offset losses from the competitive 2026 sponsorship environment caused by FIFA World Cup activities.
- Small business development pressure: Directed staff to assess how accelerated housing delivery intersects with pressures on small businesses, arts spaces, and non-profits; to report on durable relief tools beyond short-term pilots; and to conduct an environmental scan of approaches used by other municipalities.
- Sex worker safety: Council reaffirmed commitment to the Forsaken inquiry findings, directed staff to report on the current structure and resourcing of Sex Worker Safety functions, and directed ongoing engagement with sex worker-led organizations on future policy changes.
- Healthcare workforce housing: Directed staff to report on opportunities to support affordable rental housing for healthcare workers and other low-to-moderate-income residents using existing policy tools and senior government partnerships; called on federal and provincial governments to expand affordable housing funding.
- Community centres post-disaster seismic preparedness: Directed staff to report back by Q1 2028 on seismic upgrade requirements and estimated costs for community centres targeted for renewal, in context of the City's partnership with UBC to conduct seismic risk screening across all facilities over three years.
- Arts and culture impact website: Motion to create a public Arts and Culture Impact website (modelled on Toronto Arts Council) referred to staff for information rather than actioned directly.
- Building code alignment (Energize Vancouver / Vancouver Building By-law): Directed staff to review the Vancouver Building By-law and Energize Vancouver Program through an affordability lens, identify divergences from the provincial Building Code, pause enforcement of the Energize Vancouver By-law, and bring forward a repeal report for By-law No. 14578 (the hot water heater restriction). Several amendments to soften or add transparency requirements were defeated. The motion passed with four councillors opposed.
- Multiplex housing policy review: Directed staff to review early implementation experience with multiplex housing policies and report back with refinements.
Motions
VanStat Infrastructure Levy Increase
Carried Details
- Directs staff to increase the annual infrastructure renewal levy from 1% to 2% of the city's tax base.
- At 1%, closing the estimated $500 million annual infrastructure deficit would take approximately 40 years; doubling the levy would reduce that to roughly 20 years.
- Staff presented evidence that 60% of city-owned buildings have a poor Facility Condition Index rating, with $1.5 billion in deferred maintenance across approximately 700 sites.
- Councillor Maloney moved the motion; Councillor Bligh abstained, citing insufficient detail on the fiscal pathway before committing to the increase.
Tree Inspection Policy
- Routine policy update; approved on consent without debate.
Cambie Bridge Seismic Upgrade Contract
Cambie Street Bridge Carried Details
- Contract award for consultant services on the Cambie Bridge seismic upgrade and rehabilitation program.
- The building beneath the bridge (housing City Studio and the 311 call centre) must be demolished to access bridge pier foundations; staff confirmed all occupants will be relocated.
- Cooper's Park on the north side will be temporarily impacted; all recreational facilities will be reinstated, with a naturalized shoreline restoration replacing the existing hard edge.
- A public speaker raised concerns about the bridge's lane configuration and called for tabling the contract; staff confirmed means prevention fencing was not included given the bridge's low height and lower risk profile compared to Burrard and Granville bridges.
Towing By-law Amendments
Carried Details
- Updates towing and impound fees to align with current ICBC schedules, reducing the fuel surcharge from 27% to 22% and adding an itemized administration fee.
- Towing operators and Teamsters Local 31 opposed the fuel surcharge reduction, arguing it does not reflect actual diesel costs and will reduce owner-operator income; they requested an increase to at least 32% or a monthly fuel adjustment mechanism.
- Several speakers and operators argued Vancouver should shift its rate benchmark from ICBC (designed for collision towing) to the provincial Motor Vehicle Act framework used by Burnaby and Richmond.
- A member of the public described repeated billing irregularities from the city's contracted tow provider; staff noted monitoring mechanisms are in place for tows initiated from public streets.
- Councillors Orr and Maloney voted in opposition; Councillor Meiszner abstained.
Swimming Lessons Joe Fortes Legacy
Carried Details
- Directs staff, in consultation with the Park Board, to design and implement a program providing free access to beginner swim lesson levels for all Vancouver residents, with priority for children aged 3 to 12.
- Also directs staff to report on aquatic infrastructure targets to address growing demand, and to consider funding through the city's operating and capital budgets with an implementation plan for 2027.
- Requests the Park Board restore pre-COVID operational procedures — including full capacity and drop-in access without time-limited sessions — at Kitsilano Pool and all outdoor pools.
- Mayor Sim introduced the motion, citing personal experience of not being able to afford swim lessons as a child and the public safety rationale around drowning prevention.
- Multiple public speakers supported the motion, citing long registration waitlists, families travelling to Burnaby or Richmond for lessons, and the drowning risk to children who never learn.
- Park Board Chair Tom Digby and Commissioner Laura Christensen noted the Park Board had already considered the Kitsilano Pool reservation system and approved maintaining it; they questioned why the matter was not brought directly to the Park Board.
- Former Park Board commissioner Aaron Jasper raised jurisdictional concerns, arguing programming and operations fall under the Park Board's statutory authority under the Vancouver Charter.
- City Manager confirmed the motion is in order as it directs staff "in consultation with the Park Board."
Italian Day Grant Support
Commercial Drive Carried Details
- One-time extraordinary grant of up to $60,000 to the Italian Day Festival Society to cover a funding shortfall for Italian Day on the Drive (June 14, 2026).
- Organizers cited a combination of factors: loss of street banner revenue due to FIFA commercial arrangements, disappearance of provincial BCFFE grant funding, a provincial shift to tourism-focused grants, and increased costs for security, traffic management, and equipment.
- Speakers noted the festival draws hundreds of thousands of attendees, is free to the public, and supports Commercial Drive businesses and tourism.
- Councillor Orr noted a pattern of council stepping in with emergency festival funding and called for a broader policy conversation about whether FIFA impacts are being addressed equitably across all festivals.
- Mayor Sim declared a conflict of interest (bagel shop on Commercial Drive) and did not vote.
Small Business Development Pressure
Carried Details
- Directs staff to report on options to mitigate development-related pressures on existing small businesses, arts spaces, and nonprofits, with a focus on identifying unintended impacts of development on neighborhood resilience.
- Motivated by the pending expiry of the Development Potential Relief Program (DPRP) in 2026, which has provided property tax relief to small businesses facing assessment increases due to development potential.
- Councillor Fry noted cities including Montreal and Seattle have implemented tools to protect cultural spaces and commercial tenants; the motion asked staff to review comparable approaches.
- Public speakers included a filmmaker who described losing a beloved community art space to redevelopment, and a film studio operator in Strathcona describing displacement pressures.
- Passed as amended; Councillor Fry abstained on the final vote.
Sex Worker Safety Policies
Carried Details
- Motion reaffirming council's commitment to the Forsaken report recommendations and directing a review of sex worker safety policies, staffing, and resources.
- Over 20 speakers addressed the item, including current and former sex workers, frontline organization staff, researchers, and former city employees. All but one spoke in support of reinstating the eliminated position.
- Speakers cited a significant increase in violence against sex workers in the past year, closure or reduction of services at PACE Society, Living in Community, and Wish Drop-In Centre, and the upcoming FIFA tournament as compounding risks.
- The Forsaken report (2011 Missing Women's Commission) specifically recommended the city create and fund two community-based sex worker liaison positions; one was eliminated in the 2025 budget.
- A former city staff member who worked in the community and gender safety team described the current team as a single person responsible for multiple major files including the sex worker safety framework, the 2SLGBTQ+ safety plan, and FIFA gender-based violence prevention.
- Passed as amended; recommendation B voted separately, also passed.
Healthcare Workforce Housing
Carried Details
- Directs staff to identify opportunities to support delivery of affordable rental housing near major healthcare facilities, with options including partnerships with nonprofits and co-ops, on-site child care, and move-in-ready units for incoming workers.
- Motivated by a recent rezoning for workforce housing at Windsor and 13th; Councillor Orr framed healthcare workers' housing needs as a public safety and retention issue.
- Passed unanimously as amended.
Community Centres Post-Disaster Seismic Preparedness
Carried Details
- Directs staff to report on seismic preparedness for community centres slated for renewal, referencing the city's existing assessment frameworks and the current Vancouver Building Bylaw standard.
- Original motion by Councillor Maloney sought a report on upgrading community centres to "functional occupancy" standard (enabling long-term ongoing use post-disaster, not just life safety), arguing this is essential for community centres designated as disaster support hubs.
- Speakers cited a 20% probability of a magnitude 7+ earthquake in the next 50 years and noted many community centres were built before seismic zones were recognized in the building code.
- Passed as amended; Councillors Fry, Orr, and Maloney voted against the amended version; Councillor Bligh abstained.
Eliminating Regulatory Barriers Housing Affordability
Carried Details
- Proposed aligning Vancouver's building bylaw with the BC Building Code, making Vancouver the same as other BC municipalities rather than maintaining its own standalone code.
- Would pause enforcement of the Energize Vancouver emissions reporting and limits program for commercial and strata buildings.
- Would review and potentially remove local requirements that go beyond provincial standards, with any retained divergences requiring a transparent cost-benefit justification.
- Supporters argued Vancouver's unique code adds cost and complexity for builders, delays housing, and that the province's code is already among the most sustainable in North America. Mayor Sim argued consumers should have energy choice and that gas bans raise costs without meaningful climate benefit.
- Opponents argued the motion rolls back a decade of climate leadership, will not lower rents or speed housing construction, and primarily benefits the natural gas industry. Staff had previously reported that electric heating is cost-competitive with gas over the building lifecycle. The motion was brought to council for the third time after similar attempts failed in 2024.
- Councillor Orr sought a ruling that the motion was out of order as incompatible with the city's climate emergency action plan and zero emissions building plan; the chair ruled it in order on advice from the city's legal team, noting that the primary effect is to direct a review and report back.
- Passed with Councillors Bligh, Fry, Orr, and Maloney opposed.
Multiplex Housing Policy Review
Carried Details
- Directed staff to review and refine the 2023 multiplex housing policy based on real-world implementation experience, looking at design standards, massing, setbacks, shadowing, tree retention, heritage buildings, and neighbourhood fit.
- More than 2,400 residents signed a petition calling for a review; speakers cited concerns about oversized buildings, clear-cutting of mature trees, lack of design guidelines, and units priced between $1.8 and $2.7 million that are inaccessible to working families.
- Supporters emphasised the review does not stop multiplex housing or contradict provincial legislation; municipalities retain authority over design guidelines and neighbourhood compatibility.
- One opponent (Councillor Maloney) warned the review risks replicating Burnaby's experience, where new massing rules killed family-sized projects and created regulatory uncertainty.
- One public speaker in opposition argued the motion contradicts the council's stated goal of removing barriers to housing, and that restricting plexes pushes families to sprawl in the suburbs with worse environmental outcomes.
- An amendment adding heritage and character retention to the scope of the review was carried with only Councillor Maloney opposed.
- Passed with Councillor Maloney opposed and Councillor Fry absent.
Agenda documents (14)
PRESENTATIONS
1. VanStat: Facilities Condition and Maintenance
REPORTS
1. Tree Inspection Policy
2. Contract Award for Consultant Services for Cambie Bridge Seismic Upgrade and Rehabilitation Program
3. Amendments to Impounding and Vehicles for Hire By-laws – Towing Rates
COUNCIL MEMBERS’ MOTIONS
1. Carrying on Joe Fortes’ Legacy: Universal Access to Basic Swimming Lessons and Expansion of Aquatic Infrastructure as Core Public Safety Policy
2. Supporting Italian Day on Commercial Drive in 2026
3. Managing and Mitigating Development Pressure on Existing Small Business, Arts, and Non-Profit Uses
4. Understanding and Prioritizing Sex Worker Safety Policies and Resources
5. Work to Live, Live Near Work: Affordable Workforce Housing for Healthcare Workers
6. Preparing Community Centres for Post-Disaster Use
7. Building the Evidence Base for Sustained Investment in Vancouver’s Arts and Culture Sector
8. Eliminating Regulatory Barriers to Housing Affordability Through Alignment with the Provincial Building Code
9. Review and Refinement of Multiplex Housing Policies Based on Early Implementation Experience
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
Vote matrix
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lenny Zhou🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | Y |
| Ken Sim🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | Y | |
| Rebecca Bligh🥜 | Y | Y | A | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | A | N | Y | A | Y | Y | N | Y | |||
| Lisa Dominato🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | Y |
| Pete Fry🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | A | N | Y | A | Y | Y | N | N | Y | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y |
| Sarah Kirby-Yung🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | A | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | Y | ||
| Mike Klassen🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | Y | |||||
| Lucy Maloney🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y |
| Peter Meiszner🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | A | Y | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | Y |
| Brian Montague🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | Y |
| Sean Orr🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y |