Vancouver City Council is the governing body of Vancouver, British Columbia. The council consists of a mayor and ten councillors elected to serve a four-year term. Monthly, a deputy mayor is appointed from among the councillors. The current mayor is Ken Sim, who leads the party ABC Vancouver. City council meetings are held in Vancouver City Hall. The most recent election was on October 15, 2022.
Vancouver City Council | |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Leadership | |
Mayor | |
Deputy mayor | Sarah Kirby-Yung, ABC Vancouver since January 2023 |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 10 councillors and 1 mayor |
 | |
Political groups |
|
| Elections | |
| |
Last election | October 15, 2022 |
Next election |
|
| Meeting place | |
| Council Chamber Vancouver City Hall Vancouver, British Columbia | |
| Website | |
| vancouver | |
Structure
editUnlike many other cities of its size, all Vancouver city councillors are elected at-large, rather than being elected to represent municipal wards.[1] A proposal to move to a conventional ward system was rejected by voters in a 2004 referendum.[2] The mayor chairs council meetings and appoints members to regional boards, such as the Metro Vancouver board of directors.
The Vancouver Charter outlines the structure, powers and responsibility of the city council. Under the charter, the mayor and city council have the power to:[3]
- Pass by-laws regulating such things as businesses, building, noise, and land use
- Buy and sell property
- Collect property taxes and other taxes
- Approve major spending for all parts of the City government
- Take on debt
- Allocate funds for special activities, such as arts and community services
- Set up departments and offices for City services
- Hire staff for City departments and offices
Council also maintains a number of standing committees which meet to deliberate on specific topics and hear from speakers. Examples include the City Finance and Services Committee and the Policy and Strategic Priorities Committee. Each committee consists of the entire city council. City council also holds public hearings for spot rezonings.
Membership
editSince 2022
edit| Name | Party | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ken Sim | ABC Vancouver | Mayor | |
| Sarah Kirby-Yung | ABC Vancouver | Councillor | |
| Lisa Dominato | ABC Vancouver | Councillor | |
| Brian Montague | ABC Vancouver | Councillor | |
| Mike Klassen | ABC Vancouver | Councillor | |
| Peter Meiszner | ABC Vancouver | Councillor | |
| Rebecca Bligh | ABC Vancouver (2022–2025)[a] | Councillor | |
| Independent (since 2025) | |||
| Lenny Zhou | ABC Vancouver | Councillor | |
| Adriane Carr (2022–2025)[5] | Green | Councillor | |
| Christine Boyle (2022–2024)[6] | OneCity | Councillor | |
| Pete Fry | Green | Councillor | |
2018–2022
edit| Name | Party | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kennedy Stewart | Independent (2018–2020) | Mayor | |
| Forward Together (2020–2022) | |||
| Rebecca Bligh | NPA (2018–2019) | Councillor | |
| Independent (2019–2022) | |||
| ABC Vancouver (2022) | |||
| Melissa De Genova | NPA | Councillor | |
| Lisa Dominato | NPA (2018–2021) | Councillor | |
| Independent (2021–2022) | |||
| ABC Vancouver (2022) | |||
| Colleen Hardwick | NPA (2018–2021) | Councillor | |
| Independent (2021–2022) | |||
| TEAM (2022) | |||
| Sarah Kirby-Yung | NPA (2018–2021) | Councillor | |
| Independent (2021–2022) | |||
| ABC Vancouver (2022) | |||
| Adriane Carr | Green | Councillor | |
| Pete Fry | Green | Councillor | |
| Michael Wiebe | Green | Councillor | |
| Jean Swanson | COPE | Councillor | |
| Christine Boyle | OneCity | Councillor | |
2014–2018
edit| Name | Party | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gregor Robertson | Vision Vancouver | Mayor | |
| Raymond Louie | Vision Vancouver | Councillor | |
| Heather Deal | Vision Vancouver | Councillor | |
| Kerry Jang | Vision Vancouver | Councillor | |
| Andrea Reimer | Vision Vancouver | Councillor | |
| Tim Stevenson | Vision Vancouver | Councillor | |
| Elizabeth Ball | NPA | Councillor | |
| George Affleck | NPA | Councillor | |
| Melissa De Genova | NPA | Councillor | |
| Adriane Carr | Green | Councillor | |
| Geoff Meggs (2014–2017) | Vision Vancouver | Councillor | |
| Hector Bremner[b] (2017–2018) | Yes Vancouver | Councillor | |
2011–2014
edit| Name | Party | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gregor Robertson | Vision Vancouver | Mayor | |
| Raymond Louie | Vision Vancouver | Councillor | |
| Heather Deal | Vision Vancouver | Councillor | |
| Tony Tang | Vision Vancouver | Councillor | |
| Kerry Jang | Vision Vancouver | Councillor | |
| Andrea Reimer | Vision Vancouver | Councillor | |
| Tim Stevenson | Vision Vancouver | Councillor | |
| Geoff Meggs | Vision Vancouver | Councillor | |
| Elizabeth Ball | NPA | Councillor | |
| George Affleck | NPA | Councillor | |
| Adriane Carr | Green | Councillor | |
2008–2011
edit| Name | Party | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gregor Robertson | Vision Vancouver | Mayor | |
| Raymond Louie | Vision Vancouver | Councillor | |
| Heather Deal | Vision Vancouver | Councillor | |
| George Chow | Vision Vancouver | Councillor | |
| Kerry Jang | Vision Vancouver | Councillor | |
| Andrea Reimer | Vision Vancouver | Councillor | |
| Tim Stevenson | Vision Vancouver | Councillor | |
| Geoff Meggs | Vision Vancouver | Councillor | |
| David Cadman | COPE | Councillor | |
| Ellen Woodsworth | COPE | Councillor | |
| Suzanne Anton | NPA | Councillor | |
2005–2008
edit| Name | Party | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Sullivan | NPA | Mayor | |
| Suzanne Anton | NPA | Councillor | |
| Peter Ladner | NPA | Councillor | |
| Kim Capri | NPA | Councillor | |
| Elizabeth Ball | NPA | Councillor | |
| B.C. Lee | NPA | Councillor | |
| Raymond Louie | Vision Vancouver | Councillor | |
| Tim Stevenson | Vision Vancouver | Councillor | |
| George Chow | Vision Vancouver | Councillor | |
| Heather Deal | Vision Vancouver | Councillor | |
| David Cadman | COPE | Councillor | |
2002–2005
edit| Name | Party | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larry Campbell | COPE (2002–2005)[c] | Mayor | |
| Vision Vancouver (2005) | |||
| Fred Bass | COPE | Councillor | |
| David Cadman | COPE | Councillor | |
| Jim Green | COPE (2002–2005)[c] | Councillor | |
| Vision Vancouver (2005) | |||
| Peter Ladner | NPA | Councillor | |
| Raymond Louie | COPE (2002–2005)[c] | Councillor | |
| Vision Vancouver (2005) | |||
| Tim Louis | COPE | Councillor | |
| Anne Roberts | COPE | Councillor | |
| Tim Stevenson | COPE (2002–2005)[c] | Councillor | |
| Vision Vancouver (2005) | |||
| Sam Sullivan | NPA | Councillor | |
| Ellen Woodsworth | COPE | Councillor | |
1999–2002
edit| Name | Party | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philip Owen | NPA | Mayor | |
| Jennifer Clarke | NPA | Councillor | |
| Lynne Kennedy | NPA | Councillor | |
| Daniel Lee | NPA | Councillor | |
| Gordon Price | NPA | Councillor | |
| George Puil | NPA | Councillor | |
| Don Lee | NPA | Councillor | |
| Sandy McCormick | NPA | Councillor | |
| Sam Sullivan | NPA | Councillor | |
| Fred Bass | COPE | Councillor | |
| Tim Louis | COPE | Councillor | |
1996–1999
edit| Name | Party | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philip Owen | NPA | Mayor | |
| Jennifer Clarke | NPA | Councillor | |
| Gordon Price | NPA | Councillor | |
| Don Bellamy | NPA | Councillor | |
| George Puil | NPA | Councillor | |
| Lynne Kennedy | NPA | Councillor | |
| Nancy Chiavario | NPA | Councillor | |
| Sam Sullivan | NPA | Councillor | |
| Daniel Lee | NPA | Councillor | |
| Don Lee | NPA | Councillor | |
| Alan Herbert | NPA | Councillor | |
1993–1996
edit| Name | Party | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philip Owen | NPA | Mayor | |
| Lynne Kennedy | NPA | Councillor | |
| Don Bellamy | NPA | Councillor | |
| Gordon Price | NPA | Councillor | |
| George Puil | NPA | Councillor | |
| Maggie Ip | NPA | Councillor | |
| Jennifer Clarke | NPA | Councillor | |
| Sam Sullivan | NPA | Councillor | |
| Nancy Chiavario | NPA | Councillor | |
| Craig Hemer | NPA | Councillor | |
| Jenny Kwan | COPE | Councillor | |
1990–1993
edit| Name | Party | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gordon Campbell | NPA | Mayor | |
| Don Bellamy | NPA | Councillor | |
| Tung Chan | NPA | Councillor | |
| Libby Davies | COPE | Councillor | |
| Bruce Eriksen | COPE | Councillor | |
| Philip Owen | NPA | Councillor | |
| Gordon Price | NPA | Councillor | |
| George Puil | NPA | Councillor | |
| Harry Rankin | COPE | Councillor | |
| Patricia Wilson | COPE | Councillor | |
| Bruce Yorke (until 1992) | COPE | Councillor | |
| Lynne Kennedy (from 1992) | NPA | Councillor | |
1988–1990
editElected in the 1988 municipal election[9]
| Name | Party | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gordon Campbell | NPA | Mayor | |
| Carole Taylor | Independent | Councillor | |
| Jonathan Baker | NPA | Councillor | |
| Don Bellamy | NPA | Councillor | |
| Libby Davies | COPE | Councillor | |
| George Puil | NPA | Councillor | |
| Philip Owen | NPA | Councillor | |
| Harry Rankin | COPE | Councillor | |
| Gordon Price | NPA | Councillor | |
| Bruce Eriksen | COPE | Councillor | |
| Sandra Wilking | NPA | Councillor | |
1986–1988
editElected in the 1986 municipal election[10]
| Name | Party | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gordon Campbell | NPA | Mayor | |
| George Puil | NPA | Councillor | |
| Don Bellamy | NPA | Councillor | |
| Jonathan Baker | NPA | Councillor | |
| Philip Owen | NPA | Councillor | |
| Helen Boyce | NPA | Councillor | |
| Carole Taylor | Independent | Councillor | |
| Libby Davies | COPE | Councillor | |
| Ralph Caravetta | NPA | Councillor | |
| Gordon Price | NPA | Councillor | |
| Bruce Eriksen | COPE | Councillor | |
1984–1986
editElected in the 1984 municipal election[11][12]
| Name | Party | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Harcourt | Civic Independents | Mayor | |
| Harry Rankin | COPE | Councillor | |
| Bill Yee | Civic Independents | Councillor | |
| May Brown | TEAM | Councillor | |
| George Puil | NPA | Councillor | |
| Bruce Eriksen | COPE | Councillor | |
| Don Bellamy | NPA | Councillor | |
| Gordon Campbell | NPA | Councillor | |
| Libby Davies | COPE | Councillor | |
| Marguerite Ford | TEAM | Councillor | |
| Bruce Yorke | COPE | Councillor | |
1982–1984
editElected in the 1982 municipal election[13]
| Name | Party | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Harcourt | Independent (NDP) | Mayor | |
| Harry Rankin | COPE | Councillor | |
| May Brown | TEAM | Councillor | |
| George Puil | NPA | Councillor | |
| Bruce Eriksen | COPE | Councillor | |
| Marguerite Ford | TEAM | Councillor | |
| Don Bellamy | NPA | Councillor | |
| Bill Yee | Independent (NDP) | Councillor | |
| Bruce Yorke | COPE | Councillor | |
| Libby Davies | COPE | Councillor | |
| Warnett Kennedy | NPA | Councillor | |
1980–1982
editElected in the 1980 municipal election[14]
| Name | Party | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Harcourt | Independent | Mayor | |
| Harry Rankin | COPE | Councillor | |
| May Brown | TEAM | Councillor | |
| Bruce Eriksen | COPE | Councillor | |
| Marguerite Ford | TEAM | Councillor | |
| George Puil | NPA | Councillor | |
| Helen Boyce | NPA | Councillor | |
| Warnett Kennedy | NPA | Councillor | |
| Bruce Yorke | COPE | Councillor | |
| Don Bellamy | NPA | Councillor | |
| Nathan Divinsky | NPA | Councillor | |
1978–1980
editElected in the 1978 municipal election[15]
| Name | Party | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Volrich | Independent (NPA-backed) | Mayor | |
| Warnett Kennedy | NPA | Councillor | |
| George Puil | NPA | Councillor | |
| Bernice Gerard | NPA | Councillor | |
| Helen Boyce | NPA | Councillor | |
| Doug Little | NPA | Councillor | |
| Don Bellamy | Independent (NPA-backed) | Councillor | |
| Harry Rankin | COPE | Councillor | |
| Mike Harcourt | Independent | Councillor | |
| Darlene Marzari | Independent | Councillor | |
| Marguerite Ford | TEAM | Councillor | |
1976–1978
editElected in the 1976 municipal election[16]
| Name | Party | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Volrich | TEAM | Mayor | |
| Harry Rankin | COPE | Councillor | |
| May Brown | TEAM | Councillor | |
| Mike Harcourt | Independent | Councillor | |
| Darlene Marzari | Independent | Councillor | |
| Warnett Kennedy | NPA | Councillor | |
| George Puil | NPA | Councillor | |
| Marguerite Ford | TEAM | Councillor | |
| Bernice Gerard | NPA | Councillor | |
| Bill Gibson | TEAM | Councillor | |
| Don Bellamy | TEAM | Councillor | |
1974–1976
editElected in the 1974 municipal election[17]
| Name | Party | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art Phillips | TEAM | Mayor | |
| Mike Harcourt | TEAM | Councillor | |
| Fritz Bowers | TEAM | Councillor | |
| Harry Rankin | COPE | Councillor | |
| Jack Volrich | TEAM | Councillor | |
| Warnett Kennedy | NPA | Councillor | |
| Helen Boyce | NPA | Councillor | |
| Hugh Bird | NPA | Councillor | |
| Darlene Marzari | TEAM | Councillor | |
| Ed Sweeney | NPA | Councillor | |
| Art Cowie | TEAM | Councillor | |
1973–1974
editElected in the 1972 municipal election[18]
| Name | Party | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art Phillips | TEAM | Mayor | |
| Walter Hardwick | TEAM | Councillor | |
| Harry Rankin | COPE | Councillor | |
| Mike Harcourt | TEAM | Councillor | |
| Bill Gibson | TEAM | Councillor | |
| Geoffrey Massey | TEAM | Councillor | |
| Jack Volrich | TEAM | Councillor | |
| Fritz Bowers | TEAM | Councillor | |
| Darlene Marzari | TEAM | Councillor | |
| Marianne Linnell | NPA | Councillor | |
| Setty Pendakur | TEAM | Councillor | |
1971–1972
editElected in the 1970 municipal election[19]
| Name | Party | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Campbell | NPA | Mayor | |
| Harry Rankin | COPE | Councillor | |
| Marianne Linnell | NPA | Councillor | |
| Brian Calder | TEAM | Councillor | |
| Walter Hardwick | TEAM | Councillor | |
| Art Phillips | TEAM | Councillor | |
| Earle Adams | NPA | Councillor | |
| Hugh Bird | NPA | Councillor | |
| Ed Sweeney | NPA | Councillor | |
| Ernie Broome | NPA | Councillor | |
| Halford Wilson | NPA | Councillor | |
1969–1970
editElected in the 1968 municipal election[20]
| Name | Party | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Campbell | NPA | Mayor | |
| Hugh Bird | NPA | Councillor | |
| Marianne Linnell | NPA | Councillor | |
| Ed Sweeney | NPA | Councillor | |
| Harry Rankin | COPE | Councillor | |
| Earle Adams | NPA | Councillor | |
| Halford Wilson | NPA | Councillor | |
| Ernie Broome | NPA | Councillor | |
| Walter Hardwick | TEAM | Councillor | |
| Brian Calder | NPA | Councillor | |
| Everett Crowley | NPA | Councillor | |
1967–1968
editElected in the 1966 municipal election[21]
| Name | Party | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Campbell | Independent | Mayor | |
| Hugh Bird | NPA | Councillor | |
| Halford Wilson | NPA-CAA | Councillor | |
| Harry Rankin | Independent Labour | Councillor | |
| Earle Adams | NPA | Councillor | |
| Marianne Linnell | NPA | Councillor | |
| Ernie Broome | NPA-CAA | Councillor | |
| Reg Atherton | NPA-CAA | Councillor | |
| Peter Graham | NPA | Councillor | |
| Ed Sweeney | NPA | Councillor | |
| Tom Alsbury | CAA | Councillor | |
Notes
edit- ^ Bligh was ejected from ABC Vancouver on February 14, 2025.[4]
- ^ Bremner's seat originally belonged to Geoff Meggs, who had been elected as a Vision Vancouver candidate during the 2014 municipal election. His seat was vacated as a result of Premier John Horgan appointing Meggs as his chief of staff. Bremner was elected October 14, 2017, in a by-election.
- ^ a b c d Campbell, Green, Louie, and Stevenson formed an independent caucus within COPE in 2004 before forming Vision Vancouver in 2005.[7][8]
References
edit- ^ Geller, Michael (November 5, 2018). "Wards or not, Vancouver's electoral system needs reforming". Vancouver Courier. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
- ^ Matas, Robert (October 18, 2004). "Vancouver rejects ward system". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
- ^ "Vancouver City Council". Vancouver.ca. City of Vancouver. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
- ^ Fumano, Dan (February 14, 2025). "Vancouver city councillor Rebecca Bligh is out of ABC". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
- ^ Brockman, Charles; Meiklejohn, Michelle (January 15, 2025). "Vancouver's longest-serving city councillor announces resignation, citing frustrations with mayor's party". CityNews Vancouver. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
- ^ "REPORT TO COUNCIL" (PDF). City of Vancouver. December 12, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
- ^ Bula, Frances. "Mayor Campbell, councillors will form their own caucus," Vancouver Sun, 15 December 2004, pp. A1.
- ^ Smith, Charlie (March 9, 2018). "COPE Classic, COPE Lite, and the 2018 Vancouver civic election". Georgia Straight. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
- ^ "Wilking the only new face". Vancouver Sun. November 21, 1988. p. 4. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ "Vancouver". The Province. November 17, 1986. p. 9. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ "Harcourt zaps Zalm". The Province. November 18, 1984. p. 3. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ "Vancouver". The Province. November 19, 1984. p. 12. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ "City council leans to the left". Vancouver Sun. November 22, 1982. p. 2. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ "Vancouver projects under microscope". The Province. November 17, 1980. p. 1. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ "Volrich breezes to mayor's chair". Alberni Valley Times. November 16, 1978. p. 2. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ "How City Voted". The Province. November 19, 1976. p. 39. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
- ^ "Council vote results". Vancouver Sun. November 21, 1974. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
- ^ "Final results". Vancouver Sun. December 14, 1972. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
- ^ "Campbell, NPA keep control of city". Vancouver Sun. December 10, 1970. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
- ^ "Here is Box Score of Civic Polling". Vancouver Sun. December 12, 1968. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
- ^ "Election results, all polls complete". The Province. December 16, 1966. p. 10. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
External links
edit- Vancouver City Council
- Vancouver's elected representatives, by Wayne D. Madden A compilation of election results for Vancouver, British Columbia at the municipal, provincial and federal levels through 2002. Available on Internet Archive.