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Vancouver passes a budget that "sucks" and kills the Living Wage. Progress Vancouver admits to breaking election financing laws. And the City is clearing tents and considering a new hotel. Meanwhile, Burnaby is running an "alternative approval process" for a green waste facility, Surrey cops allege conflicts of interest and Harrison Hot Springs appeals to the Inspector of Municipalities to fix its council. Mission school board has banned an extremist group from future presentation and Coquitlam council applauds pro-LGBTQ+ students. And how you can be in the City of Vancouver's Book of Freedoms. Links Vancouver passes new budget with 10.7% property tax increase | CBC News Text of ABC budget amendment Why can one Metro Vancouver municipality keep property taxes much lower than others? City of Vancouver backs away from living wage pledge after council vote in closed meeting | CBC News Statement on City of Vancouver's decision to withdraw as Living Wage Employer Working for a Living Wage Report Defeated Vancouver mayoral hopeful Marissen accepted an illegal loan for Progress Vancouver campaign - Economy, Law & Politics Progress Vancouver financing report Vancouver's efforts to remove DTES tent city residents “a violation of human rights”: advocate 32-storey hotel with 578 rooms and rooftop destination restaurant proposed for downtown Vancouver (RENDERINGS) Have your say: Burnaby residents can vote on removal of parkland for green waste facility Burnaby asks voters to decide on removing 21 acres of parkland Alternative approval process for local government - Province of British Columbia City opens feedback opportunity for park dedication removal | City of Burnaby (forms here)  Surrey Police Union requests ethics probe into councillor | CityNews Vancouver Surrey Council Code of Conduct Bylaw, 2020, No. 20020 Chaos at council: Harrison Hot Springs politicians beg for help | Fraser Valley Current BC school district bans anti-LGBTQ group from presenting at board meetings - Campbell River Mirror 'You had us at hello,' Coquitlam mayor tells Best students for Pride flag, event - Tri-City News Freedom of the City | City of Vancouver Freedom of the City honorees prior to 2010 | City of Vancouver   Photo credit: flickr/Taylor McBride

Elections BC has released the financial reports from the 2022 municipal elections and we can see how efficient each party's spending was. Meanwhile, the staff report from the Climate Emergency Action Plan is pretty bleak and ABC opted to slash the climate justice charter from its further implementation. This prompted a question of whether ABC is predetermining outcomes of council votes (probably), which is better than in New West where they just have too many votes. Back in Vancouver, successful votes mean social housing near the Italian Cultural Centre and the end of the single use cup fee. It also means the end of the Stanley Park bike lane - at least until another round of consultations is completed on installing a permanent lane. Until then, feel free to join Critical Mass once again on the last Friday of every month. The cops and nurses plan turns out to be just cops. Langley SkyTrain is on track. And Surrey homeowners will pay more but not 55% more. And in schools, Vancouver removes a racists' name, Coquitlam students want pride events and Chilliwack residents want to ban books. In our Vancouveratta, Cultus Lake sure is nice. Links Adding missing middle housing and simplifying regulations in low density neighbourhoods | Shape Your City Vancouver 2022 General Local Elections Disclosure Statements Available ABC Vancouver spent $2M to elect Ken Sim and running mates Local political parties in B.C. nearly double their spending in 2022's election compared to 2018 | CBC News 'A positive vibe': 100 days in, Vancouver's mayor talks about the goals of SimCity | CBC News Kareem Allam resigns as Mayor's chief of staff Climate Emergency Action Plan staff presentation Climate equity working group 'disappointed' after Vancouver city council rejects climate justice charter | CBC News Fry suggests ABC caucused before meeting In New Westminster, heightened emotions about many more motions Vancouver approves social housing near Italian Cultural Centre Vancouver city council gets rid of single use cup fee Stanley Park temporary bike lane to be removed, debate over permanent lane to continue for another year | CBC News "Mad as hell": Critical Mass Vancouver returns following Stanley Park bike lane decision Follow @CriticalMassVan Re-funding the police? No plan for Vancouver to hire 100 mental health nurses to pair with cops | CTV News Surrey-Langley SkyTrain line on track to open in late 2028, project director tells Surrey council Surrey tax increase proposed to fund RCMP | CityNews Vancouver Justin McElroy on Twitter: "The Vancouver School Board has unanimously approved changing the name of Lord Roberts Elementary. It follows a multi-year campaign by the parent advisory council, who said the name was inappropriate given Roberts' use of concentration camps during the Boer War." / Twitter Coquitlam students make emotional plea for Pride event to show they're 'not alone' New-look Chilliwack school board spars over library books and parental rights Cultus Lake, British Columbia - Wikipedia CULTUS LAKE PARK BOARD CULTUS LAKE PARK BOARD INFORMATION

Whether Gregorian or Lunar, Happy New Year. We're back to look at missing middle initiatives in Victoria and Vancouver. Plus what's hot and not for ABC. Surrey won't have an answer on policing anytime soon. And Kennedy Stewart is in the news once more. Links Victoria council adopts divisive missing middle housing program Missing Middle Housing Initiative | Have Your Say 'Plex appeal: Vancouver eyeing six-unit housing in low-density neighbourhoods Vancouver staff presentation and report Here are the transit projects Metro Van mayors want in the next decade | CBC News . Minister’s statement on Surrey policing transition | BC Gov News  Richard Zussman on Twitter: "NEW - Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke says Surrey residents will have to pay a one-time tax increase of 55%, in addition to the normal tax rate set by council to pay for Surrey Police Service transition if B.C. Government rejects proposal to stay with RCMP. #bcpoli" / Twitter ABC defends axing Vancouver Renter Office, citing ‘duplication of service’ - BC | Globalnews.ca Dan Fumano: 'Send a message': ABC-majority council putting stamp on city priorities RELEASE: ABC majority kills Vancouver Renters Office, leaving Vancouver renters in the cold ABC Chinatown money ABC councillor aims to scrap Vancouver's 25-cent single-use cup fee by summer Despite Claims, School Liaison Officers Received No Special Training | The Tyee Kennedy Stewart announces new job and book "Is this for real?": Kennedy Stewart book announcement receives harsh negative reaction Photos: Hundreds counter anti-Drag Queen Story Time protest in Coquitlam Vancouveratta: Check out these historic photos of Vancouver Chinese New Year Parades through the ages

Motions are passing unanimously at council but marginally more controversially at Park Board. The planning department is a mess, as is policing south of the Fraser. And sculptures! Links Boyle nonprofit housing motion passes Vancouver City Council approves exploring expediting social housing up to 12 storeys  Text of the Klassen amendment  Hardwick abstained from speaking CAC motion passes  Vancouver Park Board approves immediate removal of Stanley Park Drive bike lane  Thousands of Vancouver housing units in limbo in tug-of-war between developers, city planners - The Globe and Mail City of Vancouver must reconsider controversial Chinatown development application, court rules  Court ruling  In defense of the "gentrification building"  Surrey council votes to scrap police transition, B.C. public safety minister responds Surrey policing: 'Power politics' at play in final decision, says criminologist Langley, the township, is interested in breaking up with Langley, the city, on RCMP costs | CBC News New Langley Township council looks to throw out predecessors’ plans Port Moody mayor fined $200 by Elections BC over campaign's phone-call promotions West Vancouver mayor issued citation by Law Society of B.C. over handling of will | CBC News Kamloops mayor recuses himself from entire council meeting in 'surprising' move | CBC News Security company says Kamloops mayor directed presence to his auto dealership Colin Basran investigated Housing on the way to support people living on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside | BC Gov News Vancouver elementary school renamed wek̓ʷan̓əs tə syaqʷəm in Musqueam name gifting ceremony | CBC News Move the East Van cross? 217.5 Arc x 13 | Vancouver Biennale 

Doug McCallum is a free man, having been found not guilty of mischief. Ken Sim began his stint as Mayor of Vancouver with a trip to Qatar to watch the world cup. But he was back in time for budget debates, where he questioned the revenue generating possibilities of the library. There's lots more coming up at council, the regional boards see some shakeups and UBC and Translink want to build houses. Former Surrey mayor Doug McCallum found not guilty of public mischief | CBC News Dan Fumano: FIFA World Cup-bound Mayor Sim to miss police board budget meeting Vancouver police request $383 million budget for 2023 City needs 7% tax increase 'We misunderstood': Vancouver mayor's public safety plan not being funded by the province after all Congestion tax is dead Vancouver council votes to adopt controversial definition of antisemitism | CBC News RELEASE: Councillor Boyle returns non-market housing motion to City Hall Vancouver City Council to overhaul developer community amenity contributions with fixed rates Body cam motion goes to council   City of Vancouver ends $320,000 Block Stewardship contract awarded to VANDU - BC | Globalnews.ca Park board set to debate removing Stanley Park bike lane New Surrey mayor accused of RCMP bias while chairing her first police board meeting - BC | Globalnews.ca Province setting a high bar for dumping municipal force in Surrey | Vancouver Sun Lack of transit a 'quality of life issue,' says Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West Metro Vancouver elects Delta mayor George Harvie as new chair of the board Delta's Harvie wants to slow rising Metro costs to homeowners UBC outlines Vancouver campus expansion and 24,000 more residents | Urbanized TransLink eyeing big development at Coquitlam Central Station park and ride | Urbanized Broadway Subway opening delayed to 2026 | Urbanized Squamish strongly objects to West Vancouver council dropping reading of land acknowledgment at meetings Richmond city council votes to establish reconciliation policy, which could include land acknowledgments | CBC News Vancouveratta 2006 storms in Vancouver - Wikipedia Remembering the B.C. windstorm of 2006 | CBC News

Everyone is on trial this week as Doug McCallum is in court, the VPD put themselves in the hotseat attempting to press the case against social spending in the DTES and council faces its first tests. Kennedy Stewart quits Twitter Witness at outgoing Surrey mayor's trial testifies she told him she would be the one 'that brought him down' | CBC News Doug McCallum foot pics Surrey Police Union says 94% of members have 'no intention' of joining RCMP | CBC News Rob Shaw: Leaked VPD report an inflated work of fiction - Commentary | Business in Vancouver Incoming B.C. premier David Eby says province will take over coordinating approach to Downtown Eastside   26 things that should happen in Vancouver in the next four years | Urbanized Plan to demolish Vancouver’s viaducts needs a fresh look, ABC councillor says - BC | Globalnews.ca Council agenda November 15, 2022 Parents engage lawyer to warn VSB of incoming trustee Trustee-elect on Vancouver School Board deemed 'ineligible individual' by Canada Revenue Agency Amy Lubik wins second term on Port Moody council in judicial tiebreaker 3-storey home to be built on tiny lot in Vancouver single-family neighbourhood | Urbanized Stanley Park train shut down for Christmas Victory Square ceremony

Ian and Matthew react to the results of the 2022 Vancouver municipal election and check in across the environs. 2022 Election unofficial results - chart view 53 Years Ago, Vancouver’s Very Own Fool Turned This City Upside Down | MONTECRISTO

One final look at the election with just under two days until we have the results. We dig into Surrey a bit more and then look at the other interesting races to follow. Mainstreet Poll Leger Poll Metro Vancouver’s Spiciest Local Elections | The Tyee Five-way race for mayor in Maple Ridge as nominations close In this B.C. town, big money is bulldozing democracy ⋆ The Breach How anonymous social media groups are changing small town elections in B.C. | CBC News Rushed this one out the door so apologies for any audio quality issues. Image via Wikimedia

A recap of how the campaigns have gone and who we think deserves a vote in Vancouver. Link mentioned: Vancouver Police Union breaks with tradition and endorses ABC Vancouver for municipal election | CBC News

Ian's on vacation so Brent Richter from North Shore News joins Matthew to break down the state of the races in the North Vancouvers and West Vancouver.

The candidate lists are finalized and Vancouver voters once again have over a hundred names to choose from. Stewart Prest (@StewartPrest) calls in to discuss the implications for voters and whether this makes electoral reform a necessity. Then we get into some of the latest policy announcements, what the new council will have to do with and threats against Port Coquitlam’s mayor. Who is running in the election | City of Vancouver Plan Your Vote | City of Vancouver Mayor Stewart Announces Health and Addictions Response Team (HART) ABC Vancouver announces plans to address misogyny, homophobia, and sexual violence in sport through groundbreaking ‘safe sport officer’ program One Burnaby releases platform Taller towers, more rental homes in revised proposal at Commercial-Broadway Station | Urbanized Senior pleads guilty to threatening to kill Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West - Tri-City News Boo: Stanley Park Ghost Train cancelled for 3rd consecutive year - BC | Globalnews.ca Vancouveratta - Trains in Stanley Park Stanley Park Train 50th Anniversary Ride the Stanley Park Train Who We Are | Mortal Coil Performance

The final nominations are in and Vancouver is about  to do its draw for the random ballot order. But some candidates, notably the entire NPA, wants to include non-Latin characters in their names. Women Transforming Cities released a report card where most candidates seemingly endorse everything, even things they previously voted against--with a few notable exceptions. The Vancouver Greens expel a candidate who sold their data to Progress Vancouver. And the NPA has a candidate who tells landlords to poop in their tenant's toilets. Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam and Burnaby won't be having elections for Mayor. Read what Ian had to say to the Burnaby Beacon about that. The NPA are for public safety while OneCity is for mental health response teams and ending homelessness. Forward Together has the start of a housing plan, which is not as comprehensive as those we've previously discussed. Forward is also facing criticism for an alleged fundraiser list. Frances Bula, as always, has more. ABC and COPE released their donor lists. Leger found voters in Vancouver and Surrey are mad as hell but those in Burnaby and Coquitlam are quite happy. And OneCity has thoughts about School Board. Our Vancouveratta takes us to Little Mountain Sound Studios.

Unlike One Burnaby, the Cambie Report is not pausing to observe the Queen's death. Mario Canseco (@mario_canseco) joins us to talk about the latest poll from Research CO. OneCity has started releasing its You Belong in Vancouver platform with planks on housing and community power. See also Dan Fumano's coverage. Progress Vancouver also dropped their housing plan. We compare and contrast. ABC wants cops to wear body cams, something not strongly supported by the evidence. Mike Howell speaks to Colleen Hardwick and the result is a wild ride. Justin McElroy continues to do great work looking at council voting records. Good news for the future of Hogan's Alley. Nigel Malkin ends his campaign for West Vancouver council. Upzoning Victoria hits a major snag. And our Vancouveratta looks at Lake City Way station, the only in-fill station until Capstan is completed. Cover art via Bryn Davidson @Lanefab

The NPA names its new mayoral contestant, former Vancouver 1st candidate Fred Harding, only to lose park board candidates Tricia Barker & Kumi Kimura to TEAM. ABC announces a transparency policy. Vancouver is appealing its defeated SRO vacancy control bylaw and the courts, and the province, basically allowed Coquitlam  to get away with breaking the law. And familiar names are running in Coquitlam, Richmond, Langley and Maple Ridge. Which leads to a Vancouveratta about a former little ferry. Fred Harding announces for NPA  Vancouver NPA loses Tricia Barker, candidate joins TEAM  ABC transparency policy  Vancouver appeals SRO vacancy control ruling Nicholson v. Coquitlam No byelection? No penalty, B.C. minister says after court ruling on Coquitlam's decision - Tri-City News  Richard Stewart runs again Derek Dang, Kash Heed aiming for political comebacks in October’s Richmond election - Economy, Law & Politics | Business in Vancouver Rich Coleman runs in Langley Township Battle for Maple Ridge Maple Ridge city council settles legal dispute with councillor Albion Ferry - Wikipedia

Doug McCallum is promising unicorns. TEAM: Colleen Hardwick in tight 3 way race for Mayor Unarmed and 'begging for help': Family of man shot with bean bag gun in Vancouver wants answers Indigenous father of 7 identified as man who died after being shot with Vancouver police beanbag gun ‘Good progress’: Vancouver mayor on contentious efforts to remove Hastings Street tents Series of Downtown Eastside building fires alarm residents, advocates | CBC News Poverty, pavement, isolation: A closer look at B.C. heat deaths Ken Sim's ABC Vancouver party promises to plant 100,000 trees in four years | Urbanized Dan Fumano: Vancouver developer behind anonymous group spending thousands on political ads Mayor Doug McCallum proposes 60000-seat stadium for Surrey Doug McCallum's vision of a 60,000-seat stadium in Surrey 'a tall order,' says Rogers Arena builder | CBC News Brenda Locke rumour Harrison Hot Springs housing Alvin Singh joins Forward VDLC endorses Singh David Chin running with Progress Rogers Arena - Wikipedia

Breaking: B.C. to ration liquor amid ongoing strike, says industry group | Globalnews.ca  Lots continues to happen in local politics as ABC and Progress release very different platforms to respond to the overdose and homelessness crises. The service agreement for the Sen̓áḵw development is out. And there's lots of speculation and names running for councils across the region. Links Ken Sim promise Dan Fumano: Vancouver mayoral candidate Ken Sim proposes hiring 100 cops, 100 nurses, in plan rivals call unrealistic How will he fund it? Tents will be with us until we build the housing and support services we need - Commentary | Business in Vancouver  Squamish Nation development in Vancouver aims to add 10,000 residents, creating the city’s densest community yet - The Globe and Mail Khelsilem clapback Design - Sen̓áḵw NPA mayoral speculation and More speculation  Kishone Roy leaves Vision  May He joins Progress Marie Noelle Rosa joins Progress Jack Hundial not running again in Surrey  Background: Hundial the latest councillor to split from McCallum’s Safe Surrey Coalition  Guildford resident Amrit Birring enters race for Surrey mayor White Rock municipal election landscape different for 2022 Donut drama at the PNE: Longtime vendor won't be returning this summer | CBC News Vancouveratta - PNE History & Legacy - PNE Pacific National Exhibition - Wikipedia

The removal of tents began on Hastings but ended with a clash between activists and police. Kennedy releases donors and Progress announces 2 candidates. Links Removal of tent city on East Hastings delayed again as tensions boil over Little change to East Hastings tent city as residents wonder where to go | Vancouver Sun OneCity calls for halt to tent removals Forward Together donation disclosures  Power 50 Dan Fumano: Most Vancouver parties pledge pre-election transparency. One didn't  NPA candidate Mauro Francis jumps to Progress Morgane Oger announced as Progress candidate Rich Coleman rumoured to be considering Langley Township run Chuck Puchmayr for New Westminster Brad West to run again in Port Coquitlam Council pushes contentious South Surrey townhouse development forward SRO vacancy control struck down BC Supreme Court ruling B.C. Supreme Court quashes Vancouver bylaws limiting rent increase between single occupancy housing tenancies | CBC News Vancouveratta: Hastings St Hastings Street: A Corridor of Transformation - Spacing Vancouver HISTORIC WEST HASTINGS

The wild summer lead up to the municipal elections continues! John Coupar quits the race for mayor following another bad poll for him. The Vancouver Plan passes, with plenty of amendments, including an amended amendment that drew the ire of Black Vancouverites. A Kitsilano social housing complex also passed, also after 300 speakers. But the controversy played a part in the decision to quit by BC Housing's CEO. We also know how little Port Coquitlam will save by leaving the LMLGA, which doesn't really explain why they left. Dan Fumano exposes that Lululemon founder Chip Wilson is rallying BC's elite to stop socialism. There seems to be a connection between this new group and Views of Vancouver, who continue to spend significantly on ads in Vancouver. Vancouver's Fire Chief ordered the urgent removal of tents along Hastings, which is already postponed. Ken Sim backtracks on ABC's plan to abolish the Parks Board. VOTE Socialist announces its candidates and platform, including 50c transit. Green candidate Zahra Esmail quits the race for Parks following pressure from the province. Surrey is heating up with Sukh Daliwhal and Gordie Hogg entering the race for mayor. Rob Vagramov won't seek re-election in Port Moody, leading Councillor Steve Milani to announce his bid for mayor. Drum circles are the latest threat to public safety. And the Park Board is chaos with meetings adjourned, ruled changed, staff speaking out, Points of Privilege over liking tweets and commissioners blocking one another. In our Vancouveratta we look at dowtown beaches.

It's been ten days since we recorded and yet so much has happened. Peter Meiszner got owned on Twitter. Michael Wiebe got owned by the Court of Appeal (read the ruling) but he might still bring us a new Vancouver Special. The VDLC nominate one more - but notably not one of their own - while Port Coquitlam mysteriously quits its local government association. The Surrey SkyTrain business case is approved, including lots of housing. Our beach logs are still in jail and council snubbed a proposed pool for Mount Pleasant. A new shadow group is advertising on Facebook, as pre-election disclosure rules are about to kick in. More reddit analysis of voting trends of City Council. In nomination news, Mike Klassen joins ABC, Nigel Malkin announces for West Van Council (despite not registering his party) and Haven Lubrieki announces for Port Moody Council. New Westminster considers being a bit less Royal, in the spirit of reconciliation, which is getting called out by at least one Indigenous activist. The president of TEAM resigns when he realizes what the party is about. The Fountainhead Pub gets to expand after council rejects staff recommendations. And in our Vancouveratta, go see Matthew slinging beers at the Vancouver Folk Festival.

Your biweekly municipal politics podcast is back for its monthly episode. Broadway passes and now we're into our next marathon public hearing, with another on the docket. It's so much they've postponed another until after the election. In election news though, the VDLC has announced (most of) their endorsements, and Forward Together and the NPA have council slates.  In Burnaby, a new challenger - for council - emerges. While in Coquitlam there will not be a byelection. And in Surrey, debates about flags. Finally, the barge is being disassembled, as might some pristine farmland. And in our Vancouveratta, we recognize Mr Richmond. We rushed the edit on this one folks, so enjoy a looser Cambie Report as we try to catch up on some sleep to get back in the virtual studio in a couple weeks. Links Vancouver city council approves Broadway Plan after long debate | CBC News Broadway Plan approved by Council | City of Vancouver Controversial Kitsilano social and supportive housing project heads to city council | Globalnews.ca Bill Tieleman argues semantics about public hearings Broadway-Commercial hearings postponed Background: Revision downsizes Safeway redevelopment proposal at Commercial-Broadway Station | Urbanized Just-released plan, concept sketches show what Vancouver's future looks like Metro Vancouver's $21-billion transit plan, which includes a gondola to SFU, approved  VDLC Endorses Municipal Candidates Our Team - Forward Together Vancouver NPA names candidates for 2022 civic election, signals it will be tough on crime | Urbanized Candidates - Non Partisan Association Vancouver Coun Mike Hillman launches centrist One Burnaby municipal party One Burnaby Question asked of Doug McCallum PHOTOS: Surrey Pride takes over Central City Plaza Mayoral candidate Jinny Sims says it's time to raise the Pride flag at Surrey City Hall | Georgia Straight Vancouver's News & Entertainment Weekly Judge tosses byelection petition for Coquitlam - Tri-City News English Bay barge won't be chilling much longer as long-awaited removal begins this week | CBC News This Surrey field produces millions of vegetables for B.C. But it could be paved over for warehouses Surrey farmers petition to protect 'vital' farmland from sale by federal government - BC | Globalnews.ca RichmondSentinel | After 50 years of service, I bid farewell Harold Steves - Wikipedia