Record-setting amount of speakers oppose Ken Sim’s Awful Budget; Mayor calls their heartfelt comments ‘An Awesome Waste of Time.’

A Record-Setting Amount of Opposition to ABC’s Austerity Budget Resumes Today

November 13, 2025

VANCOUVER, BC - Today, picking up at speaker #271, City Council is resuming hearing public comment on Ken Sim’s “Zero Means Zero” Austerity budget that will bring cuts to staff, programming, and service levels across Vancouver. 

“Last night as Council was dispersing, Ken Sim said something that bothered me, and I've been debating whether or not to tell people, but I think people should know,” said Councillor Orr today on an Instagram post. “[Mayor Ken Sim] said, ‘Well that was an awesome waste of time. Another day in paradise.’”

The level of opposition to this budget is unprecedented, over 630 speakers signed up, with an overwhelming majority strongly opposing the budget.

“COPE has been unable to find an example of another motion or public hearing in Vancouver with this many speakers opposed,” said Co-Chair Tanya Webking today. “Last year there were 6 comments on the budget. This proves that Vancouverites are invested and passionate about fighting for this city that we all love.”

The first day of commentary was viewed over 10,000 times on YouTube, which we also believe to be a record.

“We urge Ken Sim and his ABC team to reject this planned budget and change course to protect our services, staff, and city,” said COPE Co-Chair Shawn Vulliez. “This hearing is just the beginning of the resistance we’re going to see to Ken Sim and ABC if they keep down this path which will badly damage our city.”

COPE is always on the side of workers, public services, democracy, and integrity.

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CONTACT:
COPE@copevancouver.ca

Councillor Orr has been recording the public feedback on his profile on BlueSky:

Day One:
Starting With Speaker 1
Starting With Speaker 47
Starting With Speaker 157

Day Two:
Starting with Speaker 271