Businesses, Jobs, & Affordability
Food Affordability
Green promises
"Local food security
Strengthen local food networks wherever possible. Expand support for community gardens, urban agriculture, farmers markets, and local food producers to increase access to healthy, affordable food. Reinstate and expand food planning roles cut by Ken Sim and ABC."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 22, accessed 2026-10-16
"Local food security
Strengthen local food networks wherever possible. Expand support for community gardens, urban agriculture, farmers markets, and local food producers to increase access to healthy, affordable food. Reinstate and expand food planning roles cut by Ken Sim and ABC."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 22, accessed 2026-10-16
"Neighbourhood food hubs
Support community food hubs that bring together food distribution, meal programs, community kitchens, gardening, nutrition education, and local food services under one roof, especially in food desert areas, with affordable markets, food education, cultural food programming, kitchen access, food recovery, and distribution."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 22, accessed 2026-10-16
"Food recovery
Expand food recovery programs that redirect surplus food from businesses, institutions, and events to people who need it most. Vancouver already has one of the most robust and effective food recovery systems in North America."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 22, accessed 2026-10-16
"Community food gardens
Improve food security by creating locations for community food gardens and food production in every neighbourhood."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 22, accessed 2026-10-16
Government Procurement
Green promise
"Buy local, build local
Prioritize local businesses, social enterprises, and community-benefit organizations in City procurement to keep public dollars circulating in the local economy."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 41, accessed 2026-10-16
Jobs for young people
Green promise
"Support a Youth Climate Corps for Urban Forestry with matching funding opportunities to plant and maintain tree canopy expansion with living wage climate work for youth."
— Green Party Platform, page 12, Retrieved 2026-10-03
Small Businesses
Green promises
"Grow local wealth
Support micro-entrepreneurs, co-ops, social enterprises, and small businesses with affordable space, shared infrastructure, mentorship, and streamlined approvals. A stronger local economy is built from the ground up, one entrepreneur at a time."
— Green Party Platform, page 41, Retrieved 2026-10-16
"Home-based businesses
It shouldn't be easier to host strangers in a short term rental than have clients visit your home-based business. Support home-based businesses, market vendors, makers, artists, food entrepreneurs, and proprietors with reasonable rules, affordable permits, and business support."
— Green Party Platform, page 41, Retrieved 2026-10-16
"Neighbourhood enterprise hubs
Create low-cost spaces for start-ups, makers, non-profits, social enterprises, and small businesses to access shared equipment, mentorship, and collaborative workspaces."
— Green Party Platform, page 41, Retrieved 2026-10-16
"Make it easier for small business to do business
Small businesses should spend their time focused on customers and creating jobs, not fighting bureaucracy. Cut red tape, lower permit costs, speed up approvals, and create a single point of contact for business owners navigating City Hall."
— Green Party Platform, page 32, Retrieved 2026-10-16
"Business Navigator Service
Create a Business Navigator Service, providing small businesses with a dedicated point of contact to help guide applications through the City's permitting and licensing process, coordinate across departments, identify issues early, and keep applicants informed from start to finish."
— Green Party Platform, page 33, Retrieved 2026-10-16
"Progressive Property Tax Relief
Work with the Province to give Vancouver greater flexibility to protect small businesses from disproportionate tax increases while sustaining the services and infrastructure that keep our city prosperous, livable, and economically competitive."
— Green Party Platform, page 34, Retrieved 2026-10-16
"Commercial rent protection advocacy and local retention strategies
Many independent businesses, social enterprises, and arts and cultural organizations are being displaced by rising rents and redevelopment pressures. Greens will advocate to the province for commercial tenant protections. Using tax incentives, land-use policies, transition supports, and targeted financial assistance, preserve affordable commercial space for local businesses."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 36, Retrieved 2026-10-16
"Protect local businesses from displacement
'No net loss' policy for affordable commercial space in major redevelopments. Require major redevelopment projects to replace affordable commercial space that would otherwise be lost. Vancouver's independent businesses, cultural organizations, and community-serving retailers deserve a place in the city's future."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 36, Retrieved 2026-10-16
Climate Change, Heat, Fires, & the Environment
Climate Adaptation
Green promises
"Capital planning for climate change
Ensure major infrastructure investment builds for future climate conditions, including heat, flooding, drought, and sea-level rise. By prioritizing resilient infrastructure and proactive upgrades, Vancouver can reduce long-term costs while protecting residents and services."
— Vancouver Green Party Full Platform, page 14, Accessed 2026-09-29
"Building for climate change
Restore interdepartmental sustainability work to ensure new and retrofit construction are built cleaner and greener, prioritizing resident health and comfort against changing climate."
— Vancouver Green Party Full Platform, page 6, Accessed 2026-09-29
Energy-Efficient Buildings
Green promises
"Building for climate change
Restore interdepartmental sustainability work to ensure new and retrofit construction are built cleaner and greener, prioritizing resident health and comfort against changing climate."
— Vancouver Green Party Full Platform, page 6, Accessed 2026-09-29
"Solar ready, plug-in solar ready
Expand access to clean, affordable energy. Streamline permitting, modernize regulations, and cut red tape for rooftop and new technology direct-to-consumer plug-in solar."
— Vancouver Green Party Full Platform, page 11, Accessed 2026-09-29
"Decarbonizing new builds
Re-establish policies to ban fossil gas heating for heat and hot water in new construction types and return standard emission reporting and targeting."
— Vancouver Green Party Full Platform, page 11, Accessed 2026-09-29
"Green retrofits: the greenest buildings are the ones already built
Encourage partnerships through the federal Deep Retrofit Accelerator Initiative and BC Retrofit Accelerator to support funding for climate smart retrofits. Simplify conditions around green retrofits by reducing triggers for extraneous upgrades"
— Vancouver Green Party Full Platform, page 6, Accessed 2026-09-29
"District Energy
Continued investment in shared energy infrastructure to heat and cool multiple buildings, reduce emissions, lower long-term energy costs, and improve resilience."
— Vancouver Green Party Full Platform, page 23, Accessed 2026-09-29
Green Space
Green promises
"Green infrastructure urbanism
Score and integrate expanded tree canopies, rain gardens, urban forests, permeable surfaces, and cooling strategies into growth to improve climate resilience and livability."
— Vancouver Green Party Full Platform, page 5, Accessed 2026-09-29
"Car light, car right
Right-size neighbourhood parking by planning for actual demand, permitting access for residents, businesses and visitors, making sure valuable public space is used efficiently and fairly. Decouple parking from cost of housing and demand on-street use allowing paid off-street parkades for residents where appropriate. Reduce parking requirements near high-frequency transit and replace some parking with public plazas, cycling infrastructure, and green space."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 9, Retrieved 2026-09-30
"11% Road Reclamation
Convert at least 11% of Vancouver streets from car to community use that includes more tree canopy, parklets, dog parks, active transportation, places to grow food, and green spaces for children, families, and seniors."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 10, Retrieved 2026-09-30
"Green roofs
Mandate green roofs by-law on larger new and existing buildings to reduce urban heat, manage stormwater, improve biodiversity, and create a greener, more resilient city"
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 11, Retrieved 2026-09-30
"Require rezonings to increase the urban tree canopy and green spaces
As part of broader Trees for a Healthier City strategy, and including green roofs and micro-forest understorey, with a focus on native and climate resilient plants."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 13, Retrieved 2026-09-30
"Add new green spaces
In particular for areas targeted for new development and density, by buying land with a restored park acquisition developer cost levy."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 13, Retrieved 2026-09-30
"Develop a Community Environmental Stewardship program
With small grants to support low-cost high-impact community care for eco corridors and greenspaces."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 13, Retrieved 2026-09-30
"Value nature as infrastructure
Treat trees, wetlands, waterways, and green spaces as critical infrastructure assets by incorporating Natural Asset Accounting into City decision-making and budgets."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 13, Retrieved 2026-09-30
"Green neighbourhoods
Expand tree planting and neighbourhood greening projects. Support community gardens, pollinator spaces, and local stewardship initiatives."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 26, Retrieved 2026-10-16
"3-30-300: Access to Greenspace
3-30-300 rule for a healthier, greener city: every household should be able to see 3 trees, in a neighbourhood with a 30% tree canopy, and be 300m from a green space."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 13, Retrieved 2026-09-30
Private Vehicles & Parking
Green promises
"EV charging island modernized curbside infrastructure
Prioritize emerging opportunities for partnership with curbside lamppost and utilitypole charging as part of Vancouver street infrastructure everywhere, in particular where older street lighting systems are replaced with LED and result in surplus electric capacity."
— Vancouver Green Party Full Platform, page 11, Accessed 2026-09-29
"Car light, car right
Right-size neighbourhood parking by planning for actual demand, permitting access for residents, businesses and visitors, making sure valuable public space is used efficiently and fairly. Decouple parking from cost of housing and demand on-street use allowing paid off-street parkades for residents where appropriate. Reduce parking requirements near high-frequency transit and replace some parking with public plazas, cycling infrastructure, and green space."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 9, Retrieved 2026-09-30
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Green promises
"Return a standalone Sustainability and Climate Office to City Hall
Focused city leadership on climate action, clean energy, resilience, and environmental stewardship while improving accountability and coordination across departments."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 11, Retrieved 2026-09-30
"Climate planning includes lifecycle emissions in reporting
Expand emissions reporting to include embodied and lifecycle emissions, helping the City make more informed decisions about long-term climate impacts."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 11, Retrieved 2026-09-30
Urban Heat
Green promises
"Right to cool and clean air
Access to cool, clean air, protecting tenants from extreme heat and wildfire smoke at home by expanding cooling, shade, and clean-air infrastructure throughout Vancouver."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 11, Retrieved 2026-09-30
"Climate resilient infrastructure
Invest in resilience to climate change with cooling, warming, and air-quality enhancements for public facilities, rain and storm surge management, blueways, greenways, bioswales, sewer separation, and eliminating raw sewage outflows."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 14, Retrieved 2026-09-30
"Climate justice and equity
Ensure every neighbourhood and resident has access to climate-safe public spaces and buildings during extreme heat, smoke, flooding, and other climate emergencies, while investing in cooling, shade, and community resilience for those most at risk."
— Vancouver Green Party Full Platform, page 29, Accessed 2026-09-29
"Green roofs
Mandate green roofs by-law on larger new and existing buildings to reduce urban heat, manage stormwater, improve biodiversity, and create a greener, more resilient city"
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 11, Retrieved 2026-09-30
"Trees for a Healthier City
Greens are committed to grow a larger, healthier canopy to provide more shade, cooler streets, cleaner air, and healthier neighbourhoods city-wide.
Protect and expand our urban forest by strengthening tree protection bylaws and preserving mature trees.
Reward tree retention with incentives for developments that protect significant trees on private property.
Plant more climate-resilient trees by committing dedicated funding to expand the city's canopy with species suited to a changing climate.
Reform technical tree removal rules by tightening standards for removals justified by construction logistics while creating clear, practical pathways to accommodate legitimate construction and crane access needs.
Replace more trees than we remove by requiring stronger mitigation, replacement planting, and canopy restoration when mature trees are lost to development.
Protect trees for the long term by making occupancy permits conditional on post-construction tree health reviews and remediation where construction impacts have damaged protected trees.
Create a municipal arborist office with in-house certified arborists to independently review tree assessments, improve transparency, and ensure public confidence in development-related tree decisions.
Maintain and strengthen Vancouver’s Bird Friendly City certification.
Support a Youth Climate Corps for Urban Forestry with matching funding opportunities to plant and maintain tree canopy expansion with living wage climate work for youth."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 12, Retrieved 2026-09-30
Walking & Cycling
Green promise
"Expand multi modal share parking and docking spaces
Expand shared mobility infrastructure including public bike share to provide more affordable and sustainable transportation choices. Ensure new facilities are thoughtfully integrated into communities, mitigating any negative impacts, and support last mile for frequent transit areas."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 9, Retrieved 2026-09-30
Water & Sewage
Green promise
"Restore wetlands and uncover buried creeks
Improve flood protection, enhance biodiversity, and strengthen climate resilience. Natural ecosystems are some of Vancouver's most valuable infrastructure assets."
— Vancouver Green Party Full Platform, page 13, Accessed 2026-09-29
Community Centres, Libraries, Parks, and Other Public Spaces
Community Centres
Green promises
"Public spaces
Invest in third spaces like libraries, community centres, and other public gathering spaces as essential civic infrastructure where people can gather, learn, work, create, and connect. Strong communities need strong public spaces that are clean, vibrant, and welcoming to all."
— Vancouver Green Party Full Platform, page 42, Accessed 2026-10-15
"Recreation everyone can afford
Expand affordable recreation opportunities by increasing fee assistance, adding more low-cost programs, and ensuring budgets for community centres remain properly funded."
— Vancouver Green Party Full Platform, page 21, Accessed 2026-10-15
Fitness & Sports Facilities
Green promises
"Recreation everyone can afford
Expand affordable recreation opportunities by increasing fee assistance, adding more low-cost programs, and ensuring budgets for community centres remain properly funded."
— Vancouver Green Party Full Platform, page 21, Accessed 2026-10-15
"Fitness for life
Make fitness and active living more accessible by funding affordable recreation programs and access to community facilities, while supporting active transportation options that help residents stay healthy, connected, and active at every stage of life"
— Vancouver Green Party Full Platform, page 29, Accessed 2026-10-15
Green Space
Green promises
"Green infrastructure urbanism
Score and integrate expanded tree canopies, rain gardens, urban forests, permeable surfaces, and cooling strategies into growth to improve climate resilience and livability."
— Vancouver Green Party Full Platform, page 5, Accessed 2026-09-29
"Car light, car right
Right-size neighbourhood parking by planning for actual demand, permitting access for residents, businesses and visitors, making sure valuable public space is used efficiently and fairly. Decouple parking from cost of housing and demand on-street use allowing paid off-street parkades for residents where appropriate. Reduce parking requirements near high-frequency transit and replace some parking with public plazas, cycling infrastructure, and green space."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 9, Retrieved 2026-09-30
"11% Road Reclamation
Convert at least 11% of Vancouver streets from car to community use that includes more tree canopy, parklets, dog parks, active transportation, places to grow food, and green spaces for children, families, and seniors."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 10, Retrieved 2026-09-30
"Green roofs
Mandate green roofs by-law on larger new and existing buildings to reduce urban heat, manage stormwater, improve biodiversity, and create a greener, more resilient city"
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 11, Retrieved 2026-09-30
"Require rezonings to increase the urban tree canopy and green spaces
As part of broader Trees for a Healthier City strategy, and including green roofs and micro-forest understorey, with a focus on native and climate resilient plants."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 13, Retrieved 2026-09-30
"Add new green spaces
In particular for areas targeted for new development and density, by buying land with a restored park acquisition developer cost levy."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 13, Retrieved 2026-09-30
"Develop a Community Environmental Stewardship program
With small grants to support low-cost high-impact community care for eco corridors and greenspaces."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 13, Retrieved 2026-09-30
"Value nature as infrastructure
Treat trees, wetlands, waterways, and green spaces as critical infrastructure assets by incorporating Natural Asset Accounting into City decision-making and budgets."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 13, Retrieved 2026-09-30
"Green neighbourhoods
Expand tree planting and neighbourhood greening projects. Support community gardens, pollinator spaces, and local stewardship initiatives."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 26, Retrieved 2026-10-16
"3-30-300: Access to Greenspace
3-30-300 rule for a healthier, greener city: every household should be able to see 3 trees, in a neighbourhood with a 30% tree canopy, and be 300m from a green space."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 13, Retrieved 2026-09-30
Libraries
Green promise
"Public spaces
Invest in third spaces like libraries, community centres, and other public gathering spaces as essential civic infrastructure where people can gather, learn, work, create, and connect. Strong communities need strong public spaces that are clean, vibrant, and welcoming to all."
— Vancouver Green Party Full Platform, page 42, Accessed 2026-10-15
Pedestrian Spaces
Green promises
"Permanent pedestrian zone infrastructure
Dedicate stable funding and infrastructure like retractable bollards and placemaking to support seasonal and year-round pedestrian zone initiatives in partnership with local residents and BIAs."
— Vancouver Green Party Full Platform, page 8, Accessed 2026-09-29
"11% Road Reclamation
Convert at least 11% of Vancouver streets from car to community use that includes more tree canopy, parklets, dog parks, active transportation, places to grow food, and green spaces for children, families, and seniors."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 10, Retrieved 2026-09-30
Culture & Events
Cultural Spaces & Venues
Green promises
"Eastside Arts District
Strengthen the Eastside’s identity as a neighbourhood that nurtures arts, culture, and creativity. Preserve affordable creative space, support artists and cultural organizations through zoning and land use conditions and incentives."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 36, Retrieved 2026-10-16
"Restore City arts funding and a new strategy
Restore and expand arts and culture staffing and grants cut by ABC, and implement a new city-wide strategy to support arts economic development and employment"
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 36, Retrieved 2026-10-16
"Making it easier for creative-use spaces and venues to operate
Reduce red tape around event licensing and occupancy requirements while maintaining safety standards. Create a new licensing category for qualified venues and, in the interim, raise thresholds to allow up to eight events per month and occupancy of up to 60 people."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 36, Retrieved 2026-10-16
"Making space for arts
Protect and create affordable studios, live-work spaces, workshops, and cultural venues through adaptive reuse, flexible land-use policies, and creative building conversions."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 36, Retrieved 2026-10-16
"Commercial rent protection advocacy and local retention strategies
Many independent businesses, social enterprises, and arts and cultural organizations are being displaced by rising rents and redevelopment pressures. Greens will advocate to the province for commercial tenant protections. Using tax incentives, land-use policies, transition supports, and targeted financial assistance, preserve affordable commercial space for local businesses."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 36, Retrieved 2026-10-16
"Protect local businesses from displacement
'No net loss' policy for affordable commercial space in major redevelopments. Require major redevelopment projects to replace affordable commercial space that would otherwise be lost. Vancouver's independent businesses, cultural organizations, and community-serving retailers deserve a place in the city's future."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 36, Retrieved 2026-10-16
"Cultural Land Trusts
Support Cultural Land Trusts to acquire and preserve creative spaces, cultural venues, artist studios, and live-work buildings as non-profit community assets."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 36, Retrieved 2026-10-16
Festivals & Events
Green promises
"Open streets as a celebration and connection
In the spirit of South American Ciclovía or Portland’s Sunday Parkways, celebrate active transportation routes and calmed streets by fostering special events to connect neighbourhoods, encourage active transportation, and activate public spaces."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 9, Retrieved 2026-09-30
"Stable funding for festivals
Faced with growing funding and sponsorship gaps, support a dedicated City-funded Festival Fund that provides reliable support for arts, cultural, and community events."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 36, Retrieved 2026-10-16
Human Rights
Physical Accessibility
Green promise
"Better roads, safer streets
[...]Deliver curb-cuts and accessibility with all new and renewed infrastructure."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 8, Retrieved 2026-09-30
Local Government, Planning, & Democracy
Budgeting
Green promises
"Transparent and Accountable Budgets
Make City spending easier to understand with greater budget transparency through clear, accessible line-item budgets that allow residents to see how public funds are allocated and spent. Better visibility into spending promotes accountability, strengthens public trust, and helps ensure taxpayer dollars are directed to community priorities. Under Ken Sim, formerly detailed budget documents in the hundreds of pages have been reduced to two dozen."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 46, Retrieved 2026-10-16
"FIFA cost accountability
Unlike Toronto, Vancouver has not released the detailed spending categories for FIFA. Greens will push to reveal final costs and revenues upon assuming office."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 46, Retrieved 2026-10-16
"Participatory budgeting for community priorities
Give residents a direct role in deciding how a portion of City funding is invested in neighbourhood projects, community amenities, and local improvements."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 46, Retrieved 2026-10-16
"Value nature as infrastructure
Treat trees, wetlands, waterways, and green spaces as critical infrastructure assets by incorporating Natural Asset Accounting into City decision-making and budgets."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 13, Retrieved 2026-09-30
Elections & Voting
Green promise
"Ranked ballots for Mayoral elections
Vancouver voters deserve a meaningful choice without worrying about vote-splitting. Greens will work with our partners to bring ranked ballots to future Mayoral elections, so results reflect what voters actually want rather than the limitations of first-past-the-post. This builds on best practices elsewhere and our shared commitment to a more democratic, representative City Hall."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 44, Retrieved 2026-10-16
Good Governance
Green promises
"City services as customer service
The government isn’t a business, but can still deliver good customer service. We will make City Hall more transparent, responsive, and user-friendly, with clearer processes, better communication, and a culture focused on helping people solve problems. Your local government shouldn't be intimidating, confusing, or frustrating."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 43, Retrieved 2026-10-16
"Integrity and Transparency
Pete Fry opposed ABC's attempts to suspend and undermine Vancouver's Integrity Commissioner and has consistently defended independent accountability at City Hall. Greens will support stronger provincial integrity legislation, safeguard the independence of ethics oversight, and ensure elected officials remain accountable to the public they serve with transparency and beyond ethical reproach."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 43, Retrieved 2026-10-16
"Independent civil service
A strong city depends on a professional public service that can provide independent advice and administer programs fairly. Greens will champion transparent, meritbased public administration, and clear separation between political direction and professional decision-making to ensure City Hall works for residents, not partisan interests."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 44, Retrieved 2026-10-16
"Lobbyist registry
Residents deserve to know who is influencing public decisions and what issues are being discussed. In the absence of provincial legislation, the Greens support a voluntary lobbyist registry, building on Pete Fry's work to improve transparency at City Hall."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 44, Retrieved 2026-10-16
"Open government by default
Closed meetings should be the exception, not the rule. Greens will strengthen transparency around in-camera discussions, improve public reporting, and support the timely disclosure of decisions and records once confidentiality is no longer necessary. This builds on best practices elsewhere, and Pete Fry's work to make City Hall more open, accountable, and accessible."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 44, Retrieved 2026-10-16
"Restore access at city hall
Despite expanded opportunities to engage with City Hall, ABC limited access, creating procedural barriers and limits. Greens will ensure members of the public have more, not less, access and Council has the opportunity to ask follow up questions of speakers."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 45, Retrieved 2026-10-16
"Public performance dashboards
Expand the use of public performance dashboards so residents can track progress on major initiatives, monitor service standards, and hold City Hall accountable for delivering results. What gets measured gets managed, and what gets reported builds public trust."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 45, Retrieved 2026-10-16
"Protect the autonomy of Vancouver's elected Park Board
Maintain an independent, elected Park Board with clear authority over parks, beaches, recreation, urban forestry, and community facilities. Ensure major governance changes are subject to public consultation and transparent decisionmaking that respects Vancouver voters' choice of an elected board.
Work with Vancouver School Board in planning
Proactive and integrated board to board planning to align Council land use decisions and urban development with school needs and projections.
Police Board accountability
Under ABC, the board has operated less like an independent civilian check on police power and more like an extension of the mayor’s public-safety agenda. Concerns about political interference, transparency, and procedural fairness have been amplified by the Board’s handling of complaints and high-profile resignations in protest of political interference. We will work to restore confidence in transparent and accountable board operations."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 47, Retrieved 2026-10-16
Government Procurement
Green promise
"Buy local, build local
Prioritize local businesses, social enterprises, and community-benefit organizations in City procurement to keep public dollars circulating in the local economy."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 41, accessed 2026-10-16
Long-Term Plan
Green promise
"Healthy city, healthy communities
Align to UN Sustainable Development Goals to improve wellbeing, reduce poverty, strengthen food security, build climate resilience, and create healthier communities, so Vancouver can attract funding opportunities while delivering better outcomes for residents."
— Vancouver Green Party Full Platform, page 29, Accessed 2026-10-16
Public Engagement
Green promises
"Strong Communities Action Plan
Create an Office of Strong Communities to serve as the City's neighbourhood engagement hub, working directly with residents, community organizations, BIAs, and neighbourhood groups to identify local priorities, coordinate responses to emerging issues, and ensure community voices inform cross-departmental City planning and decisions. From the River District and South Vancouver to Chinatown and the Downtown Eastside, our Vancouver neighbourhoods are unique, and local communities are best positioned to describe gaps in community services and amenities and opportunities to support residents, small businesses, and public realm improvements."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 5, accessed 2026-09-29
"Restore access at city hall
Despite expanded opportunities to engage with City Hall, ABC limited access, creating procedural barriers and limits. Greens will ensure members of the public have more, not less, access and Council has the opportunity to ask follow up questions of speakers."
— Vancouver Green Party Platform, page 45, Retrieved 2026-10-16
Public Services
Waste Removal
Green promises
"Improve access to recycling and public facilities
Expand public recycling, organics, and waste-separation infrastructure to make diversion easier and more convenient across the city. Add more convenient satellite Zero-Waste drop-off centres, distributed city-wide, supported by industrial hubs at False Creek Flats and on Kent Avenue."
— Vancouver Green Party Full Platform, page 16, Retrieved 2026-10-10
"Kent Avenue Circular Economy Hub
Modernize the Kent Avenue Transfer Station as part of planned long range capital upgrades to support waste and resource recovery."
— Vancouver Green Party Full Platform, page 16, Retrieved 2026-10-10
"Improved and expanded organics processing
Strengthen local composting and organics recovery systems, to improve service reliability, reduce emissions, and advance the City's zero-waste goals."
— Vancouver Green Party Full Platform, page 16, Retrieved 2026-10-10
"Commitment to our shared public realm
Cleaner streets, greener neighbourhoods. A clean city is a safe city, a welcoming city, and a city we're proud to call home. A tidy city starts with the small stuff. By addressing litter, debris, and minor maintenance issues early, we create cleaner, safer, and more welcoming public spaces"
— Vancouver Green Party Full Platform, page 26, Retrieved 2026-10-16
"Clean streets
Faster response to litter, illegal dumping, graffiti, and overflowing bins. More garbage, recycling, and cigarette receptacles in high-traffic areas. Enhanced street cleaning around business districts, transit hubs, parks, and schools."
— Vancouver Green Party Full Platform, page 26, Retrieved 2026-10-16
"Holding polluters accountable
Stronger enforcement against illegal dumping and chronic offenders. Better reporting tools to identify and address problem areas quickly. Work with businesses and property owners to keep public spaces clean and attractive."
— Vancouver Green Party Full Platform, page 26, Retrieved 2026-10-16
"Divert pet waste
Divert pet waste from landfill through dedicated collection, treatment, and recovery systems."
— Vancouver Green Party Full Platform, page 16, Retrieved 2026-10-10
Water & Sewage
Green promise
"Restore wetlands and uncover buried creeks
Improve flood protection, enhance biodiversity, and strengthen climate resilience. Natural ecosystems are some of Vancouver's most valuable infrastructure assets."
— Vancouver Green Party Full Platform, page 13, Accessed 2026-09-29
Everything else
Circular Economy
Green promise
"Community equipment libraries
Support equipment lending libraries that give residents affordable access to tools, sports equipment, recreational gear, gardening supplies, repair equipment, and other shared resources, to reduce household costs and build community connections."
— Vancouver Green Party Full Platform, page 21, Accessed 2026-10-15
Biography
A regular commentator on radio and television, he has had over 150 articles published across Canada on accessibility, inclusion, and how public spaces can better serve communities. Spencer is particularly passionate about ensuring that Vancouver’s parks are spaces where everyone can safely and fully enjoy nature, recreation, and community programs.
Spencer founded the Vancouver Community Inclusion Fest and chairs Community Living BC's Vancouver Council. Through these efforts, he has focused on making community spaces—including playgrounds, trails, beaches, and park facilities—more accessible, welcoming, and enjoyable for all.
Governments and organizations at all levels have consulted Spencer on accessibility and public space strategies, and his guidance has been recognized as instrumental in creating safe, inclusive environments.
For his work, Spencer was named the Rick Hansen Foundation’s Difference Maker of the Year, received the City of Vancouver’s Excellence Award for Accessibility, and has earned six other honours for community service, having volunteered with seniors, newcomers, low-income youth, and as a leading member of community cleanups.
Outside advocacy, Spencer loves exploring Vancouver’s parks, sharing his knowledge of BC’s wildlife—especially woodland critters—and helping people connect with the natural and cultural history of the city’s public spaces.
He also enjoys editing his Community Conversations newsletter, a monthly roundup of local resources, events, and opportunities sent to 50,000 Vancouverites.
spencervancity.ca www.spencervancity.ca