Vancouver City Council will be making some important decisions this week. Namely, whether or not to suspend the work of the city's Integrity Commissioner. Read on to learn more and find out how to take action.
WTC members are invited to a virtual drop-in session before the council meeting on September 23rd from 12-1pm.
What's On At Council
Agenda Item:
Bylaw to suspend the Integrity Commissioner's work
Context:
In July, Councillor Montague (ABC) introduced a motion to conduct an "independent scope review" of Vancouver's Integrity Commissioner
Councillor Zhou (ABC) brought forward an amendment to this motion requesting staff to pause the Commissioner's work while this review took place
The ABC majority approved the amendment, causing widespread backlash (including from their own party members) and concerns about "seeking to avoid scrutiny."
Mayor Sim called a meeting during council's summer break to approve a bylaw that would finalize this suspension. However, he couldn't proceed with the meeting after a complaint to the Integrity Commissioner, submitted by Councillor Fry (Green Party), put several council members in a potential conflict of interest.
What happens next:
The meeting will reconvene on September 25th at 1pm, when council will vote on the bylaw to suspend the Integrity Commissioner's work for an undetermined amount of time.
Who is the Integrity Commissioner?:
The Integrity Commissioner is a third-party office (independent from the elected mayor and city council) with a mandate to investigate complaints against city council and advisory board members for violations of the city's code of conduct bylaw. The office adds an important layer of oversight and accountability for elected leaders.
Why it matters:
The code of conduct helps prevent unethical behaviour like abusing authority and discrimination—but without a third party to oversee it, its interpretation and implementation is left to city council. This results in little meaningful accountability at all.
The Integrity Commissioner is one of the few avenues of recourse for equity-deserving communities to address discrimination from council members, such as the recent findings that Mayor Sim discriminated against a Park Board Commissioner based on gender and family status.
Good to know:
A recent report from our friends at The Feminist Campaign School and Climate Caucus points to the need for a more robust accountability system for council code of conduct violations to prevent gender-based discrimination across the province.
How To Take Action
Email Council
Use WTC's letter template to tell council that integrity is non-negotiable.
Attend a Watch Council Drop-in Session
Join WTC members at one of our drop-in sessions to discuss the upcoming council meeting and receive support if you’d like to take action.
About Watch Council Drop-In Sessions
Our drop-in sessions are an opportunity for members to connect virtually with the WTC team for support and dialogue on all things related to civic engagement and advocacy. Attend a drop-in session to learn more about one of the agenda items we've highlighted, share your views, brainstorm how you can take action and hear tips for effective local government advocacy, including speaking and writing to council.
You can also join a drop-in session to discuss motions and reports outside of the City of Vancouver – or bring your broader questions, challenges, and musings about campaigning and organizing. Whatever is on your mind we'd love to chat and support you in taking action in your community!
What Else Is Happening?
Engagement Opportunity:
Vancouver's Social Housing Initiative
What’s happening:
City staff are asking for your input on a proposal that would make it easier to build non-market housing in Vancouver.
Why it matters:
We badly need more non-profit, co-op and supportive housing. But right now there are barriers, like lengthy, expensive, and hostile rezonings, that make it harder to provide the type of housing people can actually afford. This proposal would remove some of those barriers.
Important Dates:
Ask questions and share comments online until October 22 or attend one of four engagement sessions:
Tuesday, October 1, 4:30-7:30 pm, Seniors Centre Multipurpose Room, Kerrisdale Community Centre
Wednesday, October 2, 6-7:30 pm (Virtual Information Session)
Thursday, October 3, 4:30-7:30 pm, Room A, Croatian Cultural Centre
Tuesday, October 8, 6:00-7:30 pm (Virtual Information Session)
Good to know:
This proposal is related to our Hot Pink Paper Campaign ask to reduce barriers to affordable housing.
Learn more:
Watch Uytae Lee's video about the proposal and participate in the engagement here.
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