Some Vancouver city councillors worry staff jobs on ‘chopping block’ following 0 per cent property tax

The City of Vancouver's plan to freeze property tax has left some councillors concerned that staff may be nudged to quit.

Some Vancouver city councillors are worried the latest directives to city employees’ from the municipality’s top politician may nudge staff to quit.

The two initiatives are from City Manager Donny van Dyke, and come after Mayor Ken Sim’s successful ‘Zero Means Zero’ motion that passed earlier this month.

The motion directs staff to prepare a draft budget for 2026 to identify around $120 million in savings in order to freeze property tax rates.

Since then, CTV News has obtained two emails, directed at city staff.

The first initiative is an Exempt Voluntary Departure Program for regular full-time exempt or non-unionized employees.

It provides an incentive to staff to leave their employment voluntarily.

Return to office

The second is a mandate for exempt staff to return to work in-office five days a week, starting January 1, 2026.

Unionized staff will also transition to a minimum of three days in-office each week.

COPE Coun. Sean Orr referred to the new directions as “a shake-down.”

“It’s kind of a way for the city manager to make these cuts without actually making the cuts.” he said.

“We knew that staff were going to be on the chopping block.”

One City Coun. Lucy Maloney said staff are under a lot of stress and facing uncertainty about their future.

“I’m worried that it’s going to hit some groups more than others,” she said.

“And I think it’s going to result in inequities.”

‘Running our city’

Both Orr and Maloney believe these two changes could lead to staff quitting.

“I think that is going to be the result of it, whether it’s intended or not,” Maloney said.

“I can only speculate, but if I currently wasn’t being required to work five days a week and then for an arbitrary reason, was compelled to, I think it would be very difficult.”

Orr said he’s concerned what roles this this may impact.

“These people are actually running our city,” he said.

“And what does it mean for these people to be walking out the door to our city?”

Mayor supports changes

In a statement to CTV News, Mayor Ken Sim said, he supported the city manager’s approach.

“Our focus is on building a strong, aligned team ready to deliver results for Vancouverites in one of the most important years in our city’s history.”

CTV News asked the City of Burnaby and the City of Surrey what their remote work policies are.

The City of Burnaby said it follows a hybrid work model but that, “Employees are primarily based on-site to ensure seamless service delivery to our community.”

The City of Surrey said eligible employees may work from home up to two days per week, depending on the role and operational requirements.

On Oct. 16, van Dyk and other senior leaders at the City of Vancouver fielded questions from staff at a virtual Town Hall.

Around 2,000 staff members attended, asking questions related to the ‘Zero Means Zero’ property tax increase.

Van Dyk was adamant the tax freeze would be achieved.

“We will balance the budget,” he said.

“We’re going to do so quickly, but that doesn’t mean we’re not going to be orderly and thoughtful about it.”