Calling the Question on Festivals Motion
Motion 7 · Special Council, July 15, 2026
Summary
- A motion to close debate on the Festivals motion and proceed immediately to a vote was defeated.
- Councillor Maloney used her remaining speaking time to correct the record on which council action first opened emergency festival funding; she attributed the precedent to the mayor and majority voting to approve $2 million for one night of fireworks, not to her own Car Free Day motion.
Vote
Transcript
3 segments
So I just wanted to sort of recognize that, and I think that we are stronger when we stick together as a council, when we send our joint unparalleled and clear support to the rest of the festival. And I'm very happy to close on the motion as a mover, and let's call the question, Chair. Thanks. Okay, so question has been called. Do we need a seconder for the calling question?
Well, clerk said yes. We're doing the seconder. Okay. Second. I was on the queue to speak and the question's been called. I think it's outrageous that Councillor Kirby-Young knew that I was going to correct something that she said that was wrong and is denying me that opportunity as usual. So, Councillor Maloney, this question's been called. That's the procedure we have to follow. So, I'm going to ask clerk to double-check the procedure, but I think that's my understanding. Yeah, right. We can.
Yeah. Okay. Okay. We need to vote on this. All right. So let's vote first for the calling the question. Okay. Council, please register a vote for calling the questions.
Yeah. Thanks, Mayor.
Vote of system favor, please, Chair. It's for calling the question.
Okay, so clerk, you said two-thirds, right?
Two-thirds, okay. So calling questions motion has failed with Councillor Bligh, Fry, Orr, and Maloney in opposition.
So going back to the main queue, Councillor Maloney. Thank you. I just wanted to correct an inaccuracy. Councillor Orr and I moved our motion to provide emergency funding of $30,000 to the Car Free Day Festival after the floodgates were opened by the Mayor... and the majority on council voting to grant $2 million for half an hour of fireworks for one night. So we actually modelled our motion on the wording of that motion to really make a point about... the opening of the floodgates from unbudgeted funds. So I'm very grateful that this council voted to grant a meagre $30,000 to the Car Free Festival, which I'm sure will provide fun and entertainment to a lot of Vancouverites this summer.
But I just needed to correct... Councillor Kirby-Young's assertion that it was the first one. I have to give credit to the Mayor and the majority on Council. Thank you. Thanks, Councillor. Okay, so seeing no one else on the queue, let's go to the vote for the main motion as amended. Council, please register your vote.