ABC’s 21 “priorities” for the 2026 election—mostly what they didn’t get done in the first four years.
Untrusting soul that I am, after the 2022 Vancouver election, I serendipitously copied all of ABC’s election platform’s 106 pledges just before they were deleted right after the election. If you paste this URL:
https://web.archive.org/web/20221006024026/https:/abcvancouver.ca/platform/
into your browser (I use Chrome/Mac and Firefox/Mac), you may be able to open an archived copy of the Platform in which you can scroll down to your area of interest and open it up for their 106 detailed promises to verify my copied/pasted list—no guarantees but give it a try. 106 is a lot, so this is a long post—sorry (so Canadian).
I thought it would be a useful exercise to compare what ABC promised to what they achieved in their four years. For simplicity I have marked those achieved with a “Y” for Yes, those not achieved with an “X”, and those lacking clear evidence or that I don’t feel competent to judge with a “?”. I’ve also added some comments in italics.
I’m somewhat going from my memory of what they’ve accomplished, assisted by Google AI, so may get a few wrong—or partly wrong. Feel free to correct my errors.
These are all in the order of their 2022 website:
Reconciliation — no mention of reconciliation in their 2026 “Priorities.” Of four 2022 pledges, no clear “Yes’s”
? ABC commits to supporting the inherent right of all Indigenous people and affirms its support for UNDRIP and implementing TRC Calls to Action. The TRC Calls to Action are hard to evaluate.
? ABC commits to government-to-government dialogue and acknowledges that each government can be separate and distinct, and that government policy needs to acknowledge the diversity and authority of all Indigenous governments. Maybe.
? ABC commits to a future where a stronger and more meaningful partnership, sharing in the wealth of the land and sea, and acknowledges that both the history and future of Indigenous people needs to be self-determined. Evaluate in relation to the Jericho Plan, the Heather Plan, etc.
X ABC commits to regular joint Council meetings with Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh leaders. I don’t think this has occurred outside of public hearings around Jericho, Heather Lands, etc.
Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion — no mention of these in their 2026 “Priorities.” Of four 2022 pledges, one clear “Yes.”
Y ABC is committed to ensuring that equity, diversity and inclusion are at the forefront of all that we do. These important considerations are indeed at the forefront, and are often trumping other responsibilities to citizens.
? ABC knows that respecting, appreciating, and embracing what makes us different, regardless of age, gender identity and expression, level of education, neurodiversity, ethnicity, religion, ability, sexual orientation, or national origin builds a city that is safe for everyone to thrive. How can you argue against this, you heartless beast. On the other hand, how can you measure it?
? ABC commits to ensuring future by-laws are reviewed through an equity lens and further commits to conducting a review in the first 100 days of major city by-laws. I can’t find where this 100-day review was completed or reported out—still not sure what an “equity lens” is.
?ABC will adopt the principles of WHO’s Age-Friendly Cities Framework for Vancouver. I can’t find this.
Social, Supportive, and Non-Market Housing — “Affordability” is the closest their 2026 platform comes. Of 12 pledges for 2022, only three are clear “Yes’s.”
X An ABC Majority will shift the City’s social and supportive housing strategy to focus on the delivery of quality, livable housing units, instead of the existing quantity-first approach, and ensure that a robust, appropriate continuum of care is enshrined in every project. I think not.
X An ABC Majority will increase the City of Vancouver’s social and supportive housing investments in line with the consumer price index (CPI) every year. I think not.
X An ABC Majority will double the number of co-operative (co-op) housing units in Vancouver within the next four years. Definitely not.
X An ABC Majority will pilot housing for youth and youth ageing out of care in partnership with BC Housing. I think not but maybe blame this on BC Housing? Sure, why not?
Y An ABC Majority will pilot a culturally appropriate, Indigenous-led supportive housing and wellness centre project in partnership with Indigenous peoples. I don’t remember this but Google says it’s happened.
Y An ABC Majority will pre-identify locations in the city where density bonuses can be given to developers to accommodate the construction of additional non-market housing. I believe that’s every site in the city. The density bonuses have been awarded, but most of the non-market housing has yet to appear.
X An ABC Majority will champion the role of non-profits in the delivery of housing and strengthen protections and supports for Vancouver’s existing market and non-market housing rental stock. Support for existing rental stock is AWOL at this time.
X An ABC Majority will develop an overarching 20 year social and supportive housing plan for the City in partnership with BC Housing and other housing partners within two years. Blame its absence on HC Housing?
Y An ABC Majority will reopen and then update the DTES Area Plan in partnership with community members, BC Housing, First Nations, and service providers. Google says yes
X An ABC Majority will encourage the construction of community-directed, culturally appropriate housing for seniors and develop concrete strategies for ageing in place.
X An ABC Majority will collaborate with providers to deliver additional housing units for those living with developmental disabilities.
X An ABC Majority will negotiate with the Federal and Provincial governments to remove GST, PST, and other development-and-construction-impacting taxes, like the property transfer tax for purpose-built rental housing, social housing, and supportive housing. Not much progress.
Market Housing — little mention of these in their 2026 “Priorities.” Of 7 pledges for 2022, only 3 clear “Yes’s”
Y An ABC Majority will work with senior levels of government to incentivize the construction of more purpose-built rental units in the City of Vancouver. That would be Bills 44, 46 and 47 that establish housing quotas and eliminate most public hearings.
? An ABC Majority will eliminate the city’s housing construction backlog (which will help increase the supply of market, non-market, and supportive housing) with a 3x3x3x1 permit approval system, whereby it will take:
– Three days to approve home renovations (including renovations to accommodate mobility and accessibility-related challenges)
– Three weeks to approve single-family homes and townhouses
– Three months to approve professionally designed multi-family and mid-rise projects where existing zoning is already in place
– One year (down from six years) to approve a high-rise or large-scale project
I’ll leave it to others to measure these arbitrary targets. So far any expedited approvals have led to precious few shovels in the ground.
Y An ABC Majority will establish a predictable CAC formula(s) citywide. That’ll be where CACs are removed if you just ask politely.
X An ABC Majority will re-focus development fees to support the creation of a greater supply of affordable rental housing stock in the city. No evidence
X An ABC Majority will pre-approve five standard laneway home designs to speed up laneway home construction. Not yet.
Y An ABC Majority will initiate a review of the City’s “missing middle” housing strategy to better address the City’s shortage of missing middle housing supply in Vancouver. Far as I can tell, means multiplexes and SES’s (Single exit stair buildings up to eight storeys) almost anywhere.
? An ABC Majority will continue to support the Empty Homes Tax while initiating a review to better identify residents unintentionally captured by the policy (e.g. those waiting for renovation or re-development permits)
Public Safety, Mental Health and Community Wellness — lots about this in their 2026 “Priorities.” Of 11 pledges for 2022, only 3 “Yes’s”
X An ABC Majority will work with the Province and Province’s Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act to enhance elected Council representation on the Vancouver Police Board
X An ABC Majority will hire 100 New Police Officers and 100 Mental Health Nurses as part of a renewed approach to community policing and the expansion of successful VPD/health authority-led programs like Car 87. That one didn’t even make the cut for 2026—closest they came is “fully investing in police officers and mental health nurses.”
? An ABC Majority will complete the Darkhorse report review and ensure our fire rescue services are fully resourced and benchmarked against a consistent North American Standard. Report review completed—hard to say what’s been funded.
Y An ABC Majority will work with VPD to enable body cameras on all police officers on patrol by 2025
? An ABC Majority will support all Vancouver Coastal and Providence Health Authority-led initiatives that enhance the safety of the drug supply to address the drug poisoning crisis. Mixed messaging.
? An ABC Majority will develop a task force to address the dramatic rise in anti-Asian, anti-Semitic, and anti-Indigenous hate crimes. This was actually launched in 2020.
Y An ABC Majority will have the City of Vancouver adopt the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism
X An ABC Majority will call for a mental health summit with all Lower Mainland mayors, the Premier, relevant Provincial and Federal Ministers, First Nations, health authorities, community service agencies, and community members with the goal of establishing predictable funding and the creation of a new Mental Health Centre of Excellence through a regional model of care that incorporates treatment and recovery
? An ABC Majority will work to establish a free, low barrier, 24-hour recovery centre for those struggling with drug addiction. This was what was planned at 8th and Arbutus, abandoned after major community objection. Another at Clark and 33rd has not started.
X An ABC Majority will work with the Province and the Canadian Mental Health Association to establish peer-assisted care teams. Vancouver does not, although the North Shore does.
Y An ABC Majority will support a VPD graffiti abatement program
Transparency, Accountability, and Good Government — little mention of these in their 2026 “Priorities.” Of 9 pledges for 2022, only one “Yes.” No surprises there.
X An ABC Majority will implement a 50% reduction in FOI fees. FOI charges have increased and response times have deteriorated.
? An ABC Majority will enhance whistleblower protections.
X An ABC Majority will ask the Provincial Government to oversee a City of Vancouver lobbyist registry
? An ABC Majority will ban all City of Vancouver ads not directly related to public safety, community engagement, or legislative requirements
X An ABC Majority will publish line-item budgets for the last five years and all years moving forward. Has not happened.
? An ABC Majority will limit partisan activity from Mayoral office staff. You decide. ABC’s current campaign chair is the Mayor’s Chief of staff.
X An ABC Majority will adopt a policy to prevent the erratic direction given to staff through member motions with respect to technical matters
? An ABC Majority will commit resources to streamline better government collaboration and remove existing silos and policy duplications
Y An ABC Majority will establish a satellite City Hall office in Chinatown
Economy, Sport, Arts & Culture - some mentions under the 2026 “Strong Economy” priority. Of 16 pledges for 2022, half are “Yes”
Y An ABC Majority will make it faster and easier to obtain permits for festivals and events and bring more world-class sporting events to the city
? An ABC Majority will work with the festivals & events industry to identify and fix the blockages and red tape that currently prevent them from operating in the City. Yes to some, no to others.
? An ABC Majority will expand the sport hosting portfolio to include special events, tourism, and local economy. No idea what this means—FIFA?
X An ABC Majority will take steps to combat the loss of critical arts and culture production and performance spaces. No steps, but no losses either.
X An ABC Majority will create an Industrial and Tech Land Reserve to preserve high-paying jobs in Vancouver and reduce commuter distances for Vancouver residents. No evidence of this. In fact, Council recently approved rezoning an industrial site to primarily high density residential, with nominal industrial, over staff objections.
Y An ABC Majority will increase and expand patios and plazas to enhance neighbourhoods and quality of life; promoting vibrant, activated streets
Y An ABC Majority will commit to renewal of the Central Downtown Waterfront by approving a much-disliked development adjacent the old train station.
Y An ABC Majority will accelerate plans to revitalize the Granville Entertainment District
? An ABC Majority will create a Night Mayor to advocate for the night economy. No Mayor but an interim office.
Y An ABC Majority will accelerate the redevelopment of Hastings Park by creating the $180 million roof for FIFA.
X An ABC Majority will support the creation of a South Asian Cultural Centre of Excellence by committing a third of the funding and pursuing the remaining funding from the Province of BC and the Government of Canada. Has not happened.
? An ABC Majority will expand the number and equitable locations of sports fields around the City. No idea what this means other than reserving some for FIFA practice. No new fields despite the Broadway Plan and all the other area plans.
Y An ABC Majority will cut business permit wait times from over eight months to a maximum of three weeks
X An ABC Majority will continue to advocate to the province for a split assessment classification. No results.
Y An ABC Majority will oppose Kennedy Stewart’s Empty Store Tax
Y An ABC Majority will oppose the road tax in Downtown Vancouver and the Central Broadway Corridor to ensure affordability
Design, Planning, and Transportation — of 16 pledges for 2022, 10 are “Yes.”
? An ABC Majority will establish a working group in cooperation with the Provincial Government to better align Vancouver’s building code with the rest of the region, with a focus on increased sustainability practices. Some evidence of some collaboration.
X An ABC Majority will enable greater prioritization of building with wood, including increasing the allowed heights of mass timber buildings, to better achieve the City’s climate and affordability objectives. No prioritization of wood, instead much prioritization of concrete high-rise.
X An ABC Majority will ensure design of neighbourhoods to ensure delivery of a “15-minute city”, where services and amenities can be accessed by walking, reducing reliance on motorized vehicles and supporting ageing in place. This must be where the defeated “Villages Plan” came from!
Y An ABC Majority will continue to support and honour the City of Vancouver’s intergovernmental contractual obligations related to the Broadway Plan, notably the City’s contractual obligation to increase housing density and affordability along the Broadway corridor as agreed to in the Broadway subway funding agreements. Continual amplification of densification. So far no community centres, schools or parks.
Y/N An ABC Majority will continue to support the Vancouver Plan and develop a Right of First Offer policy on major property sales to ensure residents have a bigger say in shaping their neighbourhoods. Vancouver Plan supported, yes. No improvement in neighbourhood consultation.
Y An ABC Majority will commit to the completion of an Official Community Plan for Vancouver by the end of our first term
X An ABC Majority will invest in increasing the number of public washrooms, showers, and water fountains
Y An ABC Majority will support increased density along the Hastings Corridor to provide new housing options and economic opportunities
Y An ABC Majority will push for a new rapid bus line from the River District (East Fraser Lands) to Marine Drive Skytrain station. The #80 Marine Drive Express.
Y An ABC Majority will advocate for Skytrain all the way to UBC and push for a second east-west line that has a fixed link to the North Shore
Y An ABC Majority will support an expansion of HandyDart
Y An ABC Majority will initiate a scramble crossing pilot for pedestrians. One location, no report out.
Y An ABC Majority will develop a renewed Neighbourhood Traffic Plan to enhance safety, especially for children and those with disabilities
X An ABC Majority will double the number of pedestrian-controlled crossing signals in the city and adopt smart traffic signals. about 400, same as in 2022.
X An ABC Majority will partner with private and public sector employers in the City of Vancouver to launch a voluntary staggered start workday program to reduce peak commute times
Y An ABC Majority will deliver an accessibility audit of all City-owned assets within the first year of an ABC-led City Hall and develop a plan to make Vancouver the most accessible city in the world, delivering a fully costed audit, including curb cuts and other accessibility-related initiatives. No details on costs.
Climate Action & Sustainability — of 9 pledges for 2022, five are “yes”
X An ABC Majority will plant 100,000 trees in Vancouver within the first four years of an ABC administration, primarily focused on neighbourhoods where historic race-based zoning has led to poor tree cover and canopy growth: continuing the initiative of Mayor Gregor Robertson. The actual number is about 2,000 per year.
Y An ABC Majority will deliver a curb-side electric vehicle partnership program with BC Hydro and a private-sector or not-for-profit supplier
Y An ABC Majority will pass a bylaw that all new commercial and multi-family buildings are equipped with EV-ready parking stalls
Y An ABC Majority will commit to daylighting at least one stream by the end of 2026 and restoring it to its natural state
? An ABC Majority will phase out all fossil fuel vehicles in the City fleet in six years. Not measurable until 2028.
X An ABC Majority will work with senior levels of government to reduce the number of motorized pleasure watercraft in Vancouver waters in favour of wind and non-motorized pleasure craft
Y/? An ABC Majority will support the City of Vancouver’s 2040 Zero Waste Plan and accelerate it to 2035. Acceleration unclear.
X An ABC Majority will explore a tax credit system for Vancouver residents who don’t own a car
Y An ABC Majority will establish a flexible GHG reduction policy framework with a ‘No Net New GHGs’ (N3GHG) standard as a condition of approval of any development permits.
Childcare — of 6 pledges from 2022, four are “yes”
X An ABC Majority will deliver 5,000 daycare spaces in the first four years of an ABC-led City Hall. 2,000 so far.
Y An ABC Majority will harmonize childcare policy between the City of Vancouver and the Provincial Government to enable more daycare operators
Y An ABC Majority will help non-compliant providers achieve compliance through the licensing process
Y An ABC Majority will make additional city land available for childcare facilities
? An ABC Majority will direct more permit fees towards creating new childcare spaces
Y An ABC Majority will ensure newly constructed schools can accommodate childcare spaces
Park Board Priorities — of 6 pledges in 2022, none are a clear “yes”
X Allow alcohol in all parks with proper facilities and initiate a pilot program to allow alcohol on beaches
X Fix collapsing fields, parks, and buildings through an ‘Emergency Restoration Fund’
? Make it easier for events, performers, and sports organizations to use parks and recreation facilities
? Improve the Park Board by undertaking a full audit of all operations, finances, and facilities
X Combat the affordability crisis by placing a freeze on all Park Board fee increases
? Ensure Vancouver parks are the most safe, inclusive, and accessible in the world
School Board Priorities — of 6 pledges in 2022, only two are “Yes”
X Restore honours classes – support initiatives that promote excellence in the classroom
Y Promote safer schools and communities by reinstating the school liaison officer program
Y More individualized learning – support programs in financial literacy, coding, and sustainability
X Fully fund music and fine arts programs in Vancouver elementary and secondary schools
? Properly invest in modern, seismically safe, and accessible school facilities and playgrounds
X Make sure children with special needs have access to proper support and resources
Without dwelling on the math too much, it seems to me that in its first four years, ABC has achieved less than 40% of its 2022 pledges—40 of 106. They failed at 39 of their 106 pledges in 2022. Of more importance to me, of their 19 housing and affordability they have clearly achieved only six—less than a third.
I’m hard put not to conclude that ABC’s 2022 platform with its 106 pledges was a “something for everyone” platform that was wiped from easy view as soon as the election was over.
This time around, ABC’s web site only lists 21 priorities—see the illustration at the top of this post. Interesting they are presented as “priorities” rather than policies or pledges. For me, several of the priorities are “pledges from 2022 we ignored.” Others are in the “and the hell with the neighbours” category, including “continue to support and honour the City of Vancouver’s intergovernmental contractual obligations related to the Broadway Plan,” and “pre-identify locations in the city where density bonuses can be given to developers to accommodate the construction of additional non-market housing,” to name just a couple.
Does ABC offer more hope in 2026? Or the Greens, OneCity and COPE with no pledges or policies at all so far for 2026? You judge.
CODA
Today’s update on promises by the seven political parties vying for your votes—spoiler alert, no changes since my last post:
My summary of the current state of civic election political promises taken today from the seven party websites. My bad, I posted an older list, now corrected!
This post is more than 3400 words—yikes! I blame ABC for promising 165% more than they delivered. If you appreciated this post, please share to your social media and consider becoming a free subscriber to City Conversations at
Brian Palmquist writes in the ancestral lands of the Musqueam people. He is a Vancouver-based architect, building envelope and building code consultant and LEED Accredited Professional (the first green building system). He is semi-retired, still teaching, writing and consulting a bit, but not beholden to any client or city hall. City Conversations mix real discussion with research and observations based on a 50-year career including the planning, design and construction of almost every type and scale of project. He is the author of the Amazon best seller and AIBC Construction Administration course text, “An Architect’s Guide to Construction.” A glutton for punishment, he is threatening to write a book about how we can Embrace, Enhance and Evolve the places where we love to live. Some of its content may appear above.
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