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Reposted by Derrick O'Keefe

Jeremy Caradonna @jeremycaradonnayyj.bsky.social · 7d

This is why it’s a problem to have right-wing governments at the local government level. If passed, this budget would not only devastate services, it would pass debt to future councils.

Interest and inflation don’t magically disappear.

It’s “electoral math,” not fiscal prudence or good governance.

Justin McElroy 🇨🇦 @jmcelroy.bsky.social · 7d

A number of amendments are being brought forward by opposition councillors, including having a line by line budget comparison or deferring this vote until after the budget survey, but is being defeated on party lines.

Based on timelines, full budget wouldn’t be voted on until early next year.

isabella zavarise @isabellazavarise.bsky.social · 7d

Mayor Sim’s zero means zero motion has been tabled. 43 speakers signed up. According to Sim, this means a zero percent property tax increase. No infrastructure tax increase.

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Ricochet Media @ricochetmedia.bsky.social · 1d

In B.C., progressive movement leaders feel betrayed by David Eby’s NDP.

The 'government's calculation appears to be billions for LNG and pennies for families'.

New from @westernwriter.bsky.social:

ricochet.media/climate/in-b...

#BCpoli

In B.C., progressive movement leaders feel betrayed by David Eby's NDP

The 'government's calculation appears to be billions for LNG and pennies for families'

ricochet.media

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Derrick O'Keefe @derrickokeefe.bsky.social · 10d

Ken Sim is a desperate and pathetic figure.

We need a lot more Sean Orrs in elected office. 🌹🇵🇸 #vanpoli

SEAN ORR @seanorr.bsky.social · 10d

Today the mayor of Vancouver called me an antisemitic terrorist supporter. Here is my speech:

This isn’t controversial
Being against what the UN calls a genocide is not controversial
Being against apartheid is not controversial

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The Tyee @thetyee.ca · 16d

“It was a lightning rod of hope. We brought in thousands of new members to this party, many of whom were completely disillusioned with politics.”

Emily Lowan’s victory is a sign that the climate movement still has the energy to capture voters. Hugh Chan writes. #bcpoli

How a Zoomer Became Leader of the BC Green Party | The Tyee

Inside the campaign that scored a victory for 25-year-old Emily Lowan.

thetyee.ca

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Ricochet Media @ricochetmedia.bsky.social · 10d

Big news today, as Ecuador has revoked the licence for a Canadian company to develop a massive gold mine.

Brandi Morin reported from Ecuador on this mining project in May, with locals telling her it was a ‘ticking time bomb.’

Brandi’s feature: ricochet.media/indigenous/b...

Brandi Morin in Ecuador: Indigenous water defenders take on a Canadian mining giant

The proposed Loma Larga gold mine represents a ‘ticking time bomb’ for arsenic contamination in the region

ricochet.media

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COPE: The Coalition of Progressive Electors @copevancouver.bsky.social · 10d

Solidarity with the people of Gaza is not controversial.

Read City Councillor @seanorr.bsky.social's speech from today: www.votecope.ca/news/solidar...

#vanpoli

Solidarity with the people of Gaza is not controversial — COPE Vancouver

The following are remarks made Oct. 4, 2025 by COPE City Councillor Sean Orr at a rally in solidarity with Gaza in Vancouver - part of a global day of action that saw millions demand an end to w...

www.votecope.ca

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Reposted by Derrick O'Keefe

COPE: The Coalition of Progressive Electors @copevancouver.bsky.social · 10d

Ken Sim killed the city's Equity Office.

Now, less than a week later, he's retweeting far-right residential school denialists and anti-LGBT activists.

Evict Ken Sim.

CTV News | City of Vancouver shutters Equity Office

@TheSerfsTV - "How do you think it's appropriate for an elected mayor to be amplifying a far right conspiracist and genocide denial account?"

Screenshot- "The New West Times," recently retweeted by Ken Sim to criticized anti-genocide protestors, promoting a residental school denalism film.

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COPE: The Coalition of Progressive Electors @copevancouver.bsky.social · 15d

"My biggest focus in the coming weeks and months is fighting against ABC’s push for an austerity budget that could see many vital services cut back and hundreds of workers lose their jobs." - @seanorr.bsky.social

September Orr Report: www.votecope.ca/news/the-orr...
#FightForVancouver #vanpoli

THE ORR REPORT: Big win for housing as a human right at UBCM in Victoria, ABC blocks improvement of Empty Homes Tax, and the fight against austerity ramps up — COPE Vancouver

I’m exhausted. I just wrapped up a busy week in Victoria where I took part in my first Union of B.C. Municipalities meeting as an elected representative.  I attended along with other members of ...

www.votecope.ca

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Shona Black @shonablack.bsky.social · 15d

'The Good Canadian' on Gem is very, very good; important viewing for #TRC today and always.

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Derrick O'Keefe @derrickokeefe.bsky.social · 15d

THE GOOD CANADIAN premieres today on CBC & APTN, also available on CBC Gem & APTN Lumi. I hope you will take the time to watch this important movie that connects the dots between the injustices faced by Indigenous people. Proud to have been a researcher on this project.

#truthandreconciliation

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Reposted by Derrick O'Keefe

Ricochet Media @ricochetmedia.bsky.social · 21d

Canada’s increasingly militarized border pushes migrants into taking riskier routes to claim asylum.

We travelled along the border to highlight the human impact of the government's ‘security’ plan.

New investigation from @xaviersfournier.bsky.social:

ricochet.media/justice/migr...

#cdnpoli

Canada's increasingly militarized border pushes migrants into taking riskier routes to claim asylum

Ricochet travelled along the Canadian border to highlight the human impact of the federal government's ‘security’ plan

ricochet.media

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Reposted by Derrick O'Keefe

COPE: The Coalition of Progressive Electors @copevancouver.bsky.social · 23d

City Councillor @seanorr.bsky.social is at UBCM this week with municipal electeds from across the province fighting for more of the housing we need www.biv.com/news/ubcm-le... #vanpoli #bcpoli #HousingIsAHumanRight

UBCM leaders call on B.C. to fill housing gaps that led to increased homelessness

VICTORIA — Municipal leaders in British Columbia are calling on the provincial government to fill housing gaps that have been pressing for "far too long" and have increased homelessness in their commu...

www.biv.com

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Reposted by Derrick O'Keefe

The Tyee @thetyee.ca · 21d

“This campaign was electrifying. It was a lightning rod of hope.”

British Columbia Green Party members have chosen Emily Lowan, a climate activist and former student politician who turned 25 last week, as their next leader.

#bcpoli

New Green Leader Emily Lowan Vows to Challenge NDP | The Tyee

Climate activist says her campaign reached people ‘disillusioned with politics.’

thetyee.ca

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Reposted by Derrick O'Keefe

The Serfs (youtube.com/theserfstv) @theserfstv.bsky.social · 23d

Weird because I'm constantly being told by the right that Javier Milei and his hardcore libertarian capitalist policies brought endless prosperity to the country

Josh Marshall @joshtpm.bsky.social · 23d

White House says it's ready to pay for costly bailout of Argentina economy www.reuters.com/world/americ...

US ready to support Argentina with 'large and forceful' action, Treasury chief says

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday said that "all options" were on the table for stabilizing Argentina, including swap lines and direct currency purchases, while underscoring President Donald Trump's confidence in Argentine President Javier Milei and his economic team.

www.reuters.com

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COPE: The Coalition of Progressive Electors @copevancouver.bsky.social · 23d

Vancouver doesn't need ABC vs ABC vs ABC ...

Sean Orr won the by-election by uniting the left and offering a clear alternative to the status quo.

The next Mayor will need to lead a coalition to fight for affordable housing, climate action, and fully-funded public services.

Vancouver Sun @vancouversun.bsky.social · 23d

Vancouver Coun. Rebecca Bligh has officially announced her mission to become the city’s next mayor, launching a new party and aiming to defeat her former ally and running mate, incumbent Mayor Ken Sim. Read more:

vancouversun.com/news/vancouv...

Vancouver Coun. Rebecca Bligh launches new party and mayoral run against ex-ally Ken Sim

Vancouver Coun. Rebecca Bligh has announced her plan to run against her political ally-turned-rival Ken Sim in next year's mayoral election.

vancouversun.com

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Reposted by Derrick O'Keefe

Michelle Gamage @michellegamage.bsky.social · 27d

Researchers quantified what people with lived experience have been saying for years: street sweeps harm people, increasing their risk of violence and overdose.
My latest for @thetyee.ca
thetyee.ca/News/2025/09...

‘Street Sweeps’ Increase Overdose and Violence Risks, Study Finds | The Tyee

City workers in Vancouver have been confiscating tents and personal belongings from unhoused people since 2008.

thetyee.ca

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Lupita Nihongo @otsumamiboy.bsky.social · Sep 11

A suspicion I’ve had confirmed from the Pablo Torre Clippers story is that wealthy people move with a level of brazenness & sloppiness that one would only move with if it never occurred to them that they may be caught or see consequences.

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Conor Sen @conorsen.bsky.social · 26d

Mamdani going on Pablo Torre shows he genuinely has his finger on the pulse.

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Ricochet Media @ricochetmedia.bsky.social · 26d

‘It’s time to prepare for war:’ Forest defenders in ancient Walbran valley ready for RCMP raid.

Award-winning journalist Brandi Morin has been on the ground in the upper Walbran valley this week to report on a new blockade challenging old growth logging.

ricochet.media/indigenous/i...

‘It’s time to prepare for war:’ Forest defenders in ancient Walbran valley ready for RCMP raid

These ancient trees are almost certainly doomed. Meet the people risking everything to protect them all the same

ricochet.media

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Reposted by Derrick O'Keefe

COPE: The Coalition of Progressive Electors @copevancouver.bsky.social · Sep 16

We're facing pressue for austerity at all levels of government.

There is an alternative.

Tax the rich to fund the public services and social infrastructure we need.

#vanpoli #cdnpoli

Blayne Haggart @bhaggart.bsky.social · Sep 15

Canada's in a real bind. Our current moment requires a massive increase in state capacity *across the board*. But the Carney government (ie, Mark Carney) seems to be ideologically opposed to a greater role for government outside defence. Ideologies die hard, even when reality is banging at the door.

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Reposted by Derrick O'Keefe

Michelle Cyca @michellecyca.com · Aug 20

the @cityofvancouver.bsky.social budget survey does not even include an option of raising property taxes more than 5% in order to *increase* the service delivery. (An increase of 5% on a $2m property is less than $300 a year.)

A question reading: Property taxes are the City’s main source of revenue and help fund the services people rely on. For that reason, decisions about property tax rates and service levels are considered together during the budget process. Given this, which of the following do you prefer for managing property taxes and service levels? Select one."

Options include raising taxes by 5%, 2.5, 1.5 and 0. Only 5% would maintain service levels, everything else represents a cut. There is a write-in option.

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Reposted by Derrick O'Keefe

Ryan McDiarmid @ryanmcdiarmid.com · Aug 20

Just my 2 cents, but in addition to the points COPE outlines below, maybe use the extra space to tell the city you want the ridiculously over-inflated VPD budget slashed and that money used to refund Vancouver.

COPE: The Coalition of Progressive Electors @copevancouver.bsky.social · Aug 20

The City’s 2026 Budget process is now open.

We're fighting against Ken Sim and ABC's austerity and threats to public services.

With your help, we can stop these cuts.

Take the survey by calling 311 or clicking here: www.shapeyourcity.ca/2026-budget

More info: www.votecope.ca/news/action-...

Act Now: Stop Ken Sim's Cuts to Public Services!

Participate in the 2026 Vancouver Budget Survey.

COPE's Top Priorities
2026 budget survey

#1) Stop ABC's Handout to the Wealthy: Mayor Ken Sim is seeking a property tax increase as low as 0% for 2026. This handout to the rich will mean cuts to services, austerity, increased user fees, and neglected infrastructure.

#2) Protect Public Services, Staff & Infrastructure: Sim's tax gimmick will mean cuts to public services, infrastructure, and the unionized staff that make the city work for people.

#3) Boost Library Funding & Increase Hours:

Under ABC, library hours are already being cut. A previous COPE motion to support libraries is going to be on the chopping block if there are new cuts. Vancouver must library users and library workers.

"Council Priorities"

The survey pushes you to pick only 3 priorities, inappropriately pitting reconciliation, climate, housing and public services against each other. We've flagged priorities that relate to cuts.

"Financial Pressures"

Staff originally said 6-7% was needs for 2026, but the survey's maximum is 5%, likely meaning at least some cuts. It would be ideal if a significant contingent of survey respondents advocated for 6-7% in the 'other' box.

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Reposted by Derrick O'Keefe

Ricochet Media @ricochetmedia.bsky.social · Aug 15

Carney’s first 100 days: Unpacking the new prime minister’s ‘disappointing move to the right’ with @lindamcquaig.bsky.social.

From backtracking on the Digital Services Tax, to his disappointing response to #Gaza, she says Carney has repeatedly capitulated to Trump.

ricochet.media/politics/car...

Carney’s first 100 days: Unpacking the new prime minister’s ‘disappointing move to the right’ with Linda McQuaig

‘If it comes to a U.S. invasion, no amount of military spending on our part is going to defend us from that’

ricochet.media

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Reposted by Derrick O'Keefe

COPE: The Coalition of Progressive Electors @copevancouver.bsky.social · Aug 20

The City’s 2026 Budget process is now open.

We're fighting against Ken Sim and ABC's austerity and threats to public services.

With your help, we can stop these cuts.

Take the survey by calling 311 or clicking here: www.shapeyourcity.ca/2026-budget

More info: www.votecope.ca/news/action-...

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Reposted by Derrick O'Keefe

SEAN ORR @seanorr.bsky.social · Aug 6

This was the most surprising thing I’ve learned as a councillor. All festivals and events pay their own policing costs, on top of the 21% they get of our entire budget

Michelle Cyca @michellecyca.com · Aug 6

So in the absence of any official policy, a community festival was told they’d need to pay two cops $437/hour each, with no justification or oversight from the city

CTV News Vancouver @ctvnewsvancouver.bsky.social · Aug 6

Vancouver community centre wants policy for policing costs after expensive bill

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