Vancouver voters approve $790M borrowing plan

Vancouver voters approved all three borrowing questions on the city’s 2027-2030 capital plan in Saturday’s civic election, according to preliminary results published by the City of Vancouver.

The city asked for permission to borrow a total of $790 million as part of a $3.5-billion, four-year capital plan. Each question passed by a wide margin on the preliminary count.

The transportation and street infrastructure question, worth $292 million, got 147,171 yes votes and 41,572 no votes. The question on community-serving and civic essential infrastructure, worth $438 million, got 149,938 yes votes and 38,802 no votes. The parks and open public spaces question, worth $60 million, got 152,587 yes votes and 36,489 no votes.

The city said 209,214 ballots were cast, a turnout of more than 43 per cent, up from 36 per cent in 2022. The figures are unofficial until the city’s chief election officer declares the results, which the city said was scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 21, by 4 p.m.

The city said the inauguration ceremony for the new city council, park board and school board is set for Nov. 2, 2026.

Green candidate Pete Fry was elected mayor with 98,494 votes on the city’s unofficial results. As we reported, he unseated incumbent Ken Sim.

The city’s preliminary results show four parties on the 10-seat council: four Green councillors, four from COPE, one from OneCity and one from A Better City. No party holds the six seats needed for a majority. CTV News reported that the new council says its mandate is clear because voters chose progressive change.

Turnout rose in several B.C. cities, as we reported in our turnout story, and incumbent mayors lost in many of them, as we reported on election night.

Via the City of Vancouver and CTV News.

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