Vancouver councillor blasts leanest budget hes seen as review of 2026 draft begins

The review of Vancouver's 2026 draft budget has sparked tension among city councillors, particularly with Coun. Pete Fry, who criticized the document's lack of detail. He labeled the $2. 39 billion budget, which centers on Mayor Ken Sim's "Zero Means Zero" property tax freeze, as the leanest he has seen in almost eight years. Fry noted that the draft is only about two dozen pages long, compared to the usual 330 to 400 pages, making informed decision-making difficult.

The budget proposes halting property tax increases while requiring $120 million in savings, raising concerns about potential cuts to essential services. Union leaders warned that up to 400 full-time jobs could be eliminated if the budget passes, impacting services like community centers and garbage collection. Public interest is high, with over 600 residents registered to voice their opinions on the budget. Fry submitted a procedural motion to ensure timely public participation in the budget discussions. He firmly stated that he cannot support the draft budget due to its lack of transparency regarding service cuts.