Ken Sim

Homelessness and housing

In March 2023, during Sim's mayoral term, a homeless count was commenced by the Homelessness Services Association of BC, the first since the beginning of the pandemic. The results of the count were released in October 2023.^[17] A local non-profit serving the population expects the results to show increases given their increased demand for services.^[18][19]

Sim's plan to address the homeless crisis in Vancouver has centred on partnership with Provincial and Federal government programs. Within his first 45 days in office Ken Sim and the ABC-dominated Council expedited work camp-style housing in partnership with BC Housing that implemented 90 units on City property.^[20] On March 27, 2023, Sim and Provincial Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon announced a plan to open 330 additional units by June, 2023.^[21] In addition, ABC Vancouver have repeatedly stated their intent to decrease permit processing times as additional means to stimulate the development of new, permanent housing.^[22]

In early April 2023, news outlets began reporting on the City of Vancouver's efforts to bring the East Hastings encampment to a close. Sim remarked that the conclusion of the encampment is part of a larger effort of "finding empathetic ways to get people off the streets and into housing that they need."^[23]

On April 5, 2023, Sim announced the encampment would be brought to a close.^[24] By the end of the April 5, city workers removed most of the encampment on Hastings, disposed of much of the debris left by the encampment, and offered residents temporary re-homing to shelters while the city awaits new more permanent housing to arrive in June.^[25] As part of the operation April 5 and 6, crews took down 94 “entrenched structures” and removed 50 propane tanks from the encampment zone. More than 70 totes for storage were also provided to individuals and stored off-site.^[26]

Park board

On December 6, 2023, three ABC Vancouver Vancouver Park Board commissioners left the party to sit as independents after Sim introduced a motion to ask the provincial government to change the Vancouver Charter to dissolve the park board.^[27] While remaining independent, they have indicated they will form a majority bloc with Green Party commissioner Tom Digby.^[28][29][30]

Mental health

During the 2022 campaign, Sim promised he would hire 100 nurses to join the previously established Car 87 program, alongside 100 new police officers.^[31] On February 14, 2023, Vancouver City Council voted to allocate $2.8 million to Vancouver Coastal Health, to hire 58 mental health workers "to support people who are suffering from mental illness combined with lack of stable housing and substance abuse issues."^[32][33]

Foreign interference allegations

In 2023, The Globe and Mail published allegations from an anonymous Canadian Security Intelligence Service source claiming that China interfered in the 2022 Vancouver municipal election.^[43][44][45] Of the allegations, Sim stated "If there's proof of foreign interference in our election, I want to know about it because I'm a Canadian … but right now there are a bunch of insinuations."^[46]

Sean Orr drug hoax

In February 2026, Vancouver mayor Ken Sim alleged at a Chinese-language media briefing on 6 February that COPE councillor Sean Orr had distributed illegal drugs on Christmas Day. CBC News reported that the allegation was unsubstantiated and that Orr denied it, stating he had been visiting family on the Sunshine Coast at the time.^[47]

Sim apologized to Orr by phone and addressed reporters on 27 February, stating that he had spoken with Orr and apologized but declined to answer further questions.^[48]

On March 3, 2026, Sim held a press conference stating that his comments were based on an unverified photograph shown to him by a member of the public. Orr said the apology was insufficient and stated he was considering a defamation lawsuit and a complaint to Vancouver's integrity commissioner.^[49]