Vancouver City Council
Vancouver City Council is the governing body of Vancouver, British Columbia. The council consists of a mayor and ten councillors elected to serve a four-year term. Monthly, a deputy mayor is appointed from among the councillors. The current mayor is Ken Sim, who leads the party ABC Vancouver. City council meetings are held in Vancouver City Hall. The most recent election was held on October 15, 2022. A by-election for two seats on council was held on April 5, 2025.
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Structure
Unlike many other cities of its size, all Vancouver city councillors are elected at-large, rather than being elected to represent municipal wards. A proposal to move to a conventional ward system was rejected by voters in a 2004 referendum. The mayor chairs council meetings and appoints members to regional boards, such as the Metro Vancouver board of directors.The Vancouver Charter outlines the structure, powers and responsibility of the city council. Under the charter, the mayor and city council have the power to:
- Pass by-laws regulating such things as businesses, building, noise, and land use
- Buy and sell property
- Collect property taxes and other taxes
- Approve major spending for all parts of the City government
- Take on debt
- Allocate funds for special activities, such as arts and community services
- Set up departments and offices for City services
- Hire staff for City departments and offices