Vancouver City Council Byelection Heats Up with New Candidates

Three more candidates have entered the race for two vacant seats on Vancouver city council. Sean Orr, nominated by COPE, joins former councillor Colleen Hardwick and community organizer Theodore Abbott, who were selected by TEAM for a Livable Vancouver. They will compete against Lucy Maloney of OneCity in the byelection scheduled for April 5.

Sean Orr, a housing activist and writer, criticized billionaires for influencing politics and driving issues like rising homelessness and expensive housing. He previously ran in the 2022 general election with Vote Socialist and has worked various jobs to make ends meet. COPE co-chair Shawn Vulliez accused Mayor Ken Sim of siding with wealthy donors and called Orr the right candidate to challenge them.

Colleen Hardwick, formerly with the NPA, served on the council from 2018 to 2022 and later helped found TEAM for a Livable Vancouver. She was the party’s mayoral candidate in 2022, finishing third behind Kennedy Stewart and Sim. Theodore Abbott, an urban researcher and tenant rights advocate, focuses on affordability and livability issues in Vancouver.

The Green Party will hold its nomination meeting on Feb. 5, following the resignations of Christine Boyle and Adriane Carr, which led to the byelection. The Greens, COPE, and OneCity plan to run one candidate each to avoid vote-splitting among left-leaning voters, while ABC Vancouver has yet to announce its candidates.

Sonia Furstenau Resigns as B.C. Green Party Leader Amid Political Shifts

Sonia Furstenau stepped down as leader of the B.C. Green Party on Tuesday, three months after failing to win a seat in the 2024 provincial election. She was first elected MLA for the Cowichan Valley in 2017 and became the party leader in 2020. In the October election, she switched ridings to Victoria-Beacon Hill but was defeated by B.C. NDP incumbent Grace Lore.

Furstenau reflected on her journey, stating she never aspired to be an elected official but worked with integrity and accountability. Adam Olsen, her longtime colleague, praised her leadership and ability to amplify unheard voices in politics. Former B.C. Liberal cabinet minister Mary Polak also commended her authenticity and dedication to public service.

With Furstenau’s resignation, Jeremy Valeriote will serve as interim leader while the party prepares for a leadership contest. Valeriote and fellow MLA Rob Botterell confirmed they will not run, meaning the next Green leader will come from outside the legislature. Despite challenges in the electoral system, Furstenau expressed hope for the party’s future.

The Greens recently secured a co-operation agreement with the ruling B.C. NDP, influencing policies on health care, housing, and climate change. While Furstenau has stepped away from leadership, her impact on B.C. politics remains significant.

Elections BC Investigates Multiple Civic Parties Over Campaign Finances

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim’s ABC party is under investigation by Elections BC, along with 10 other civic parties in Metro Vancouver. These investigations focus on potential violations of campaign finance laws. Stewart Prest, a UBC political science lecturer, suggests that changes in campaign finance rules are leading to increased scrutiny and possible penalties. However, he also notes that some parties may still be learning how to navigate the new regulations.

ABC Vancouver has been in the spotlight for allegedly accepting prohibited donations during the 2022 municipal election. Elections BC does not disclose details of active investigations but has confirmed inquiries into parties like Vision Vancouver, Progress Vancouver, and Forward Together. In Surrey, Safe Surrey Coalition, Surrey Connect, and others are also being examined. Burnaby, Richmond, and Kelowna have civic parties facing similar scrutiny.

Prest describes the situation as a “cat and mouse” game between political parties and Elections BC. Campaign finance rules have shifted from a big-donor model to smaller contributions, with ABC Vancouver proving effective in gathering such donations. However, to ensure fairness, scrutiny is necessary to prevent rule violations. ABC Vancouver has already repaid $116,000 in allegedly improper donations from the 2022 campaign.

Elections BC considers various factors when determining penalties, including the severity of the violation and cooperation during the investigation. Fines in resolved cases have ranged from a few hundred dollars to nearly $3,000. Prest suggests that stricter penalties might be needed to deter violations. He emphasizes that maintaining a fair electoral process is crucial to ensuring money does not unfairly influence election outcomes.

Vancouver By-Election: TEAM for a Livable Vancouver Confirms Candidates

The civic political party TEAM for a Livable Vancouver has announced it will run two candidates in the upcoming Vancouver by-election to fill two vacant City Council seats. TEAM president Colleen Hardwick confirmed the party's nomination meeting will take place on February 1, 2025. This follows the resignations of OneCity councillor Christine Boyle and Green councillor Adriane Carr, both stepping down for different reasons. The by-election is set for April 5, 2025, with an estimated cost of $2 million.

Hardwick criticized Boyle and Carr for their resignations, stating they have burdened taxpayers with unnecessary costs. She expressed disappointment in the Greens and OneCity for putting Vancouver residents in this situation. However, she is eager for TEAM to challenge ABC Vancouver’s majority, which she claims has failed to address affordability, crime, and high taxes. She emphasized the need for accountability in City Council.

Hardwick also took aim at the ABC-led government’s policies, including the Broadway Plan’s densification and the Mayor’s proposal to abolish the Vancouver Park Board. She accused ABC of mismanaging their majority and treating taxpayers as ATMs. In the 2022 civic election, Hardwick finished third in the mayoral race, while TEAM failed to secure any council seats.

With Boyle and Carr’s resignations, Green councillor Pete Fry remains the only opposition member in City Council. Other parties, including the Greens, OneCity, and ABC, are also expected to run candidates in the by-election.

Harjit Sajjan to Exit Politics Amid Growing Liberal Challenges

Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit Sajjan has announced he will not seek re-election in the next federal election. Sajjan, who has been a key figure in Justin Trudeau’s cabinet since 2015, expressed gratitude for Trudeau’s leadership and the opportunities given to him. He emphasized his continued commitment to the Liberal Party despite stepping away from active politics.

Sajjan cited the increasingly toxic and polarized political environment as a factor in his decision. He urged politicians to restore civility and mutual respect in political discourse. His announcement comes amid a wave of Liberal ministers and MPs choosing not to contest the next election, reflecting the party’s struggles in recent polls.

During his tenure, Sajjan held several cabinet positions, including Minister of Defence, Veterans Affairs, and International Development. His time in office was marked by both achievements and controversies, including criticism over his handling of the Canadian Armed Forces' misconduct crisis. He recently endorsed Mark Carney for the Liberal leadership, signaling his continued influence in the party.

With the upcoming election expected before mid-October, all opposition parties have pledged to defeat the government in a non-confidence vote. Parliament is set to resume on March 24, with critical confidence votes looming. Sajjan’s departure adds to the challenges facing the Liberal Party as it prepares for a tough electoral battle.

Low Voter Turnout and Political Shifts: Vancouver’s Costly Byelection

Vancouver is set to hold a byelection on April 5 to fill two vacant city council seats. OneCity Coun. Christine Boyle resigned after becoming an MLA, while Green Coun. Adriane Carr stepped down, citing a "loss of trust and confidence" in the mayor. If approved, nominations will open on Feb. 18, with the final list declared on Feb. 28.

The byelection is estimated to cost $2 million, with major expenses for the election office ($740,000) and voting equipment ($600,000). The 2022 general election cost $4.4 million and saw a 36.3% voter turnout. However, Vancouver’s last byelection in 2017 had only 11% voter participation, raising concerns about low engagement.

Advance voting will take place from March 26 to April 1 at City Hall, with 25 polling stations open on election day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Despite the upcoming vote, Mayor Ken Sim’s ABC party will maintain its majority, leaving Green Coun. Pete Fry as the only opposition member. The outcome may not shift power but could reflect public sentiment.

Adriane Carr’s Exit: Political Turmoil in Vancouver’s City Council

After 14 years in office, Vancouver’s longest-serving city councillor, Adriane Carr, has resigned, citing political discord. She expressed frustration with Mayor Ken Sim and his ABC Vancouver majority, claiming their governance lacked collaboration. Carr’s departure aligns with Christine Boyle’s resignation, triggering an upcoming byelection. Her decision reflects concerns over sustainability, governance, and democracy in city politics.

Carr criticized ABC’s dominance, stating that their supermajority undermines diverse representation. She pointed to ABC’s reversal of green policies and exclusion of opposition voices from key committees. The Greens and OneCity parties now seek to counterbalance ABC’s influence. Political analysts predict the byelection could reshape Vancouver’s council dynamics, either reinforcing or challenging ABC’s control.

ABC councillors downplayed the discord, emphasizing collaboration on climate policies and Indigenous rights. However, opposition voices, including Green Coun. Pete Fry, describe the council as increasingly partisan and toxic. The upcoming vote will test public sentiment on governance, transparency, and climate action. Many see this election as a referendum on Sim’s leadership and ABC’s direction.

With Carr stepping down, Vancouver loses a veteran advocate for sustainability and democratic representation. As she turns to family and writing, the political battle continues. The April 5 byelection will determine if voters endorse ABC’s policies or seek a more balanced council. The outcome could redefine Vancouver’s political landscape for years to come.