Vancouver mayor apologizes for series of recent slip-ups

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim is owning up to a string of recent blunders that have stirred up controversy.

Sim issued two public apologies Thursday during a major announcement for the Hastings-Sunrise neighbourhood, which will see a $5.2-million investment aimed at upgrading public spaces.

The first apology came in response to a leaked proposal suggesting the relocation of Indigenous people from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

Sim says the proposal was merely a draft, and is assuring the public that it would not be moving forward as part of the city’s plans.

“I feel badly that it wasn’t more descriptive in what some of the ideas that we’re thinking about, but make no mistake about it, there’s no intention to move anyone anywhere,” said Sim.

The acknowledgment follows criticism from the BC Assembly of First Nations, which had called for a formal apology.

“We did reach out, and we believe in full transparency and having conversations to set the record straight. I will absolutely apologize to anyone who saw that document without the context, and if it hurt people, that’s never the intent of our administration whatsoever,” said the mayor.

Sim also addressed a separate issue involving his party’s campaign practices, admitting that lawn signs were placed on private properties without the owners’ consent ahead of the upcoming byelection.

“Oops, it happened. I totally apologize for that. You know, people think that you have perfect systems and obviously we don’t.”

Sim adds while his administration “can’t stop mistakes from happening,” he’s committed to improving systems moving forward.

As for the upgrades coming in Vancouver’s Hastings-Sunrise neighbourhood, the city says the plan includes enhancements like “sidewalk repairs, pole painting, litter bin upgrades, as well as new bike racks and street cleaning.”

A major highlight is also the creation of a new Kamloops-Hastings Neighbourhood Plaza.

The transformation will feature:

• A new concrete surface
• Flexible and open design to support a variety of events and layouts
• Electrical upgrades
• Integrated built-in seating and upgraded furniture
• New trees and green infrastructure including a rain garden

Construction is slated to begin this spring, with completion expected in early 2026.