'They're afraid of you': ABC Vancouver and Ken Sim face blowback on key issues

It has been an interesting week for the City of Vancouver on the political side of things, and ABC Vancouver has been on the receiving end of much backlash on a couple of different issues. The first one is its 180 on the Vancouver Park Board abolition plan, spearheaded by Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim. On July 13, Daily Hive Urbanized learned that Sim was dropping his bid to axe the Park Board at a conference in which he asked it to end the reservation system for pools. He made that announcement just three months before Vancouver voters return to the polls. “This current Park Board is simply not working, and Vancouverites deserve better,” said Mayor Sim in a statement earlier this week. “That’s why ABC Vancouver will be putting forward a team focused on the needs of residents, with a mandate to deliver high-quality parks and services that are both affordable and accessible.” The social media reaction was swift and fierce from political players and residents alike. Some called the course change a “clown show,” while others called the whole situation “a gong show.” Former Vancouver Park Board Commissioner John Coupar didn’t hold back in his criticism of Sim and ABC. > You had a majority at @ParkBoard after last election and then you tried to eliminate it and starved it for funds. Seriously @KenSimCity @Vote4ABC you have got to be kidding! #Vancouver residents won’t be fooled again! Nobody believes your B.S. https://t.co/dEemxLpX3P > > — John Coupar (@JohnCCoupar) July 14, 2026 CANCELLED MEETING A second issue emerged following the Park Board drama. On July 14, it was revealed that ABC Vancouver Councillor Brian Montague moved to cancel the July 29 council meeting. That motion was carried. On X, Kareem Allam, another mayoral candidate, said, “The pattern with Ken Sim and ABC: when the work gets inconvenient, they cancel it.” “As a result of this undemocratic action, they will no longer be brought before council until after the election,” COPE told Daily Hive in a statement. COPE Councillor Sean Orr was particularly upset, as he had five motions to present. > This is honestly wild. Not only do I think this was a political decision and against the Vancouver Charter’s rules of good governance, it’s also a waste of taxpayer money. Dozens of hours have been spent crafting motions that were drafted in consultation with community members https://t.co/OUmnIxAf4M > > — SEAN ORR (@seanorr) July 14, 2026 The motions he had included a motion about supporting hotel workers affected by the FIFA World Cup, enacting the universal tenant rights bylaw and criminalizing predatory practices, and expanding Vancouver’s circular economy through public infrastructure. “These motions would have established tenant rights by law, protected our coast from tanker traffic, regulated the use of AI by senior staff, and more,” Orr shared with Daily Hive. “This looks like it’s about limiting motions and debate on the floor.” COPE’s mayoral candidate, Stephanie Allen, also shared her thoughts. “They’re afraid of people standing up for the city, they’re afraid of you. That’s why they shut down democracy. Because they’re not strong,” Allen said. “We need to elect the exact opposite of Ken Sim and ABC, clean up city hall, and fight for our city,” she added. With files from Kenneth Chan You might also like: - Mayor Ken Sim drops bid to axe Park Board, asks it to end reservation system for pools - Richmond drivers have a new 'livable' speed limit on residential roads - Mayor Ken Sim accuses B.C. government of failing Vancouver on mental health and addictions crisis

It has been an interesting week for the City of Vancouver on the political side of things, and ABC Vancouver has been on the receiving end of much backlash on a couple of different issues. The first one is its 180 on the Vancouver Park Board abolition plan, spearheaded by Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim. On July 13, Daily Hive Urbanized learned that Sim was dropping his bid to axe the Park Board at a conference in which he asked it to end the reservation system for pools.

He made that announcement just three months before Vancouver voters return to the polls. “This current Park Board is simply not working, and Vancouverites deserve better,” said Mayor Sim in a statement earlier this week. “That’s why ABC Vancouver will be putting forward a team focused on the needs of residents, with a mandate to deliver high-quality parks and services that are both affordable and accessible.”

The social media reaction was swift and fierce from political players and residents alike. Some called the course change a “clown show,” while others called the whole situation “a gong show.” Former Vancouver Park Board Commissioner John Coupar didn’t hold back in his criticism of Sim and ABC.

You had a majority at @ParkBoard after last election and then you tried to eliminate it and starved it for funds. Seriously @KenSimCity @Vote4ABC you have got to be kidding! #Vancouver residents won’t be fooled again!

Nobody believes your B.S. https://t.co/dEemxLpX3P — John Coupar (@JohnCCoupar) July 14, 2026 Cancelled meeting A second issue emerged following the Park Board drama. On July 14, it was revealed that ABC Vancouver Councillor Brian Montague moved to cancel the July 29 council meeting.

That motion was carried. On X, Kareem Allam, another mayoral candidate, said, “The pattern with Ken Sim and ABC: when the work gets inconvenient, they cancel it.” “As a result of this undemocratic action, they will no longer be brought before council until after the election,” COPE told Daily Hive in a statement.

COPE Councillor Sean Orr was particularly upset, as he had five motions to present. This is honestly wild. Not only do I think this was a political decision and against the Vancouver Charter’s rules of good governance, it’s also a waste of taxpayer money.

Dozens of hours have been spent crafting motions that were drafted in consultation with community members https://t.co/OUmnIxAf4M — SEAN ORR (@seanorr) July 14, 2026 The motions he had included a motion about supporting hotel workers affected by the FIFA World Cup, enacting the universal tenant rights bylaw and criminalizing predatory practices, and expanding Vancouver’s circular economy through public infrastructure. “These motions would have established tenant rights by law, protected our coast from tanker traffic, regulated the use of AI by senior staff, and more,” Orr shared with Daily Hive.

“This looks like it’s about limiting motions and debate on the floor.” COPE’s mayoral candidate, Stephanie Allen, also shared her thoughts. “They’re afraid of people standing up for the city, they’re afraid of you.

That’s why they shut down democracy. Because they’re not strong,” Allen said. “We need to elect the exact opposite of Ken Sim and ABC, clean up city hall, and fight for our city,” she added.

With files from Kenneth Chan