More than 600 people signed up to weigh in on Vancouver’s proposed 2026 budget, which was drafted to deliver a zero per cent property tax increase. City staff, along with representatives from the police, the fire service, the park board and the library presented the draft budget to council Wednesday, answering two rounds of questions before hearing from the public. The “Zero Means Zero” budget requires around $120 million in savings across city departments and opposition councillors were critical of what they described as a lack of detail about where cuts will be made. Among those who signed up to speak in opposition to the budget were unions representing city workers, including Michael Robinson with CUPE 1004. “People who have built their lives here, paid their taxes and dedicated their careers to serving this city, could be out of a job soon,” he said. Prior to the budget being presented, the union was one of several who said the proposed budget will mean cutting an estimated 400 full-time jobs. Mayor Ken Sim said the zero per cent property tax increase is an effort for the city to provide residents with a measure of financial relief. “Families are feeling the pinch of rising costs,” the mayor said. Colin Knight, general manager of finance and supply chain management, echoed that sentiment Wednesday. “It will result in tangible reduced costs for residents and businesses,” he said. According to the report, planning, urban design and sustainability faces a steep reduction—roughly 14 per cent. Whether reports about what this will mean in practice are accurate was one issue debated but not definitively answered. “I’ve heard false claims suggesting that sustainability’s work is going to be eliminated,” Sim said. However, the city’s head planner did not say whether the team would remain intact as-is, telling council approving the budget is the first step and that details will come later. Other departments, including arts, culture and community services, would also see cuts, although details of what exactly will be eliminated or scaled back were not included or provided at the meeting. At the same time, police and fire services are set to receive funding increases, with the Vancouver Police Department telling council the roughly $50 million increase over last year’s budget is largely due to factors outside its control and is necessary to maintain public safety. “It’s not the time to go backwards,” Chief Const. Steve Rai said. Council will extend Wednesday’s meeting into the evening and reconvene Thursday in order to get through the list of registered speakers. The final 2026 budget vote will be Tuesday, Nov. 25.
