Adriane Carr, longtime Vancouver city councillor, resigns

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Good morning, 

Nate back with you today. We’ve been covering TransLink’s funding issues for a little while now and the possibility that the transit provider could cut upwards of 50% of their existing bus routes by 2026 if they don’t secure more government funding by this spring. 

While we can hope this worse-case scenario is, in part, sabre-rattling by Translink to get the needed funding, these sorts of cuts could be devastating for our transit system and the people who rely on it.  

We want to cover the human aspect of this, to highlight some experiences from the hundreds of thousands of people who use transit every day in our region. So today, we’re asking our transit-riding readers to reach out and share what transit means in your life, and how cuts in service might impact you. If you’re comfortable, reply to this email with your experience or thoughts and there’s a good chance we’ll get back to you. 

Our hope is, through exploration and scrutiny of our existing system, we can play a small part in shaping the efficient and equitable transportation services we all need and deserve. 

With that, let’s get to today’s news and events. 

— Nate Lewis, Vancity Lookout

PS - If you find this newsletter valuable, please consider forwarding it to your friends. New to the Lookout? Sign-up for free.

WEATHER

Friday: 5 🌡️ -1 | ☀️

Saturday: 4 🌡️ -1 | 🌤️

Sunday: 6 🌡️ -2 | ☀️

Monday: 4 🌡️ -1 | ☁️

NUMBERS OF THE DAY

😬 $69 billion: The potential cost to B.C. from an “economic war” between Canada and the U.S. over the next four years, according to Premier David Eby. U.S. president-elect Donald Trump has threatened to hit Canada with a 25% tariff on Canadian goods. B.C. companies sent over 50% of their exports to the U.S. in 2023, which is less than other provinces, but the tariffs would still have a significant impact. [CTV]

💸 $5,100: The asking price for a one-bedroom unit in The Butterfly, a newly completed tower bordering Downtown and the West End. [Property.ca]

⚖️ $4.9 million: The amount Atira Women’s Resource Society, B.C.’s biggest non-profit landlord, and its subsidiaries allegedly owe a restoration company for unpaid work on their buildings. It’s another controversy involving the embattled housing provider. Atira provides services to more than 10,000 people and received $79 million in government funding in the last fiscal year. [Vancouver Sun, The Tyee]

🚓 267: The number of impaired drivers taken off B.C. highways in December, and the actual number is likely even higher than reported. The fact that over 20% of fatal crashes in the province involve impaired driving is a great reason to not drink and drive. [CityNews]

CITY HALL

Adriane Carr, longtime Vancouver city councillor, resigns. Here’s what it means

What happened: The Green Party’s Adriane Carr has resigned from city council. Carr, who served as a city councillor since 2011, was the longest-standing representative on council prior to her resignation on Wednesday. 

“I've come to the conclusion that on the issues that really drive me, that drove me to run for office, and have been predominant issues in my life, particularly around sustainability and the health of this planet, I can't make much progress,” Carr explained during a lengthy press conference, adding that she’s lost trust and confidence in Mayor Ken Sim. “Incidents that occurred recently in camera meetings were the tipping point in my decision,” Carr said, but could not share more given the privacy requirements that govern those meetings. 

Background: In early December, Carr said she was seriously considering stepping down from her position, in part due to her frustration at being marginalized by the current ABC-majority council, according to the Vancouver Sun. 

That included Carr being removed by Mayor Sim from Metro Vancouver’s Board of Directors and their Zero Emissions Innovation Centre in December 2024. That was part of a bigger move by Mayor Sim to have Metro Van board appointments, and the roles of deputy mayor, acting mayor, and duty council, held only by ABC caucus members. 

• Normally these roles are shared between councillors, regardless of party, though the majority Vision Vancouver council of the mid-2010’s also tinkered with that tradition, according to Dan Fumano in the Sun. 

Carr said she would not have left the role early, if it were not for the fact city hall is already scheduling a byelection, at a cost of approximately $2 million, to fill newly-minted MLA Christine Boyle’s vacant seat. Carr said it’s important to her that the decision won’t cost taxpayers any extra money, as her vacant council seat can now be added to that ballot. 

Carr, a mother of two and grandmother to three, also cited her desire to spend more time with family as part of her reasoning for stepping down.

• “Time with them is very precious to me, and I know this decision puts a smile on their faces,” Carr said during Wednesday’s press conference.

A long career: Born in Vancouver in the early 1950s, Carr grew up in East Van, Burnaby and the Kootenays. Carr completed both her undergrad and masters in urban geography at UBC, publishing a thesis in 1980 that explored the role of citizen groups in shaping the Kitsilano neighbourhood.  

• During her dozen-year career as a teacher at Langara College, Carr co-founded the Green Party of BC in 1983, running in that year’s provincial election as the party’s first leader.

Carr’s lengthy political resume with the Green Party includes running three times in provincial elections and twice federally in the early 2000s. For five of those years she served as the leader of the BC Greens, and spent another five years as the deputy leader for the Green Party of Canada. 

Carr’s long career of public advocacy and service finally resulted in her being elected to public office in 2011, when she narrowly won a council seat by a mere 90 votes. She went on to win four consecutive civic elections between 2011 and 2022, twice coming at the top of the polls.  

Legacy: Two key crises – around climate and housing – drove Carr’s desire to be elected, she said at Wednesday’s press conference. Among the long list of motions she created and supported, Carr pointed to her motions that require staff to analyze the costs of inaction, as well as action, on climate initiatives. 

“Sometimes [we] look at money towards climate change and think, ‘Oh, that's too much.’ But if you understand when you don't act, if you don't mitigate… the costs are going to be so much greater,” she said. 

Carr also highlighted her pride in the Vancouver Plan, spurred by her 2018 motion, which is a long-term, city-wide land use plan that gives residents “the ability to make decisions at the local level around the kind of neighborhood they want,” Carr said.  

• In the early aughts, Carr was also a major proponent for electoral reform, campaigning for proportional representation in the province. Thanks in part to her work, a vote on electoral reform was included on the ballot during the 2005 election, but narrowly failed.  

Kevin Dale McKeown (who, disclaimer, I work with at the West End Journal) is a friend, neighbour, and former colleague of Carr’s. 

“I've always done what I could to support Adriane in her career, because I know her to be an intelligent, sincere and hard working representative,” McKeown told Vancity Lookout. 

• McKeown was recruited off the street by Carr to be the media manager in B.C. for the Green Party during the 2009 federal election, and subsequently spent some time on the board of directors for the Green Party of Vancouver. 

McKeown described how Carr is always out at local gatherings, listening to constituents. “She goes to community meetings. She goes to community events. She doesn't just make a cameo appearance. She's there at the Green Party booth or kiosk, meeting people, listening to people. She is a great listener,” he said. 

What it means: In the here and now, Carr’s resignation means city council is losing a seasoned politician and her many decades of experience. That won’t be easily replaced, particularly if it’s a first-time councillor who fills her seat. 

• Asked what the next councillors should expect on the job, Carr emphasized how, for someone new, it takes a lot just to learn the ropes. “You need the time to really understand what the job is. It's not just coming in and writing a few motions​​… don’t expect that you can immediately make a difference,” Carr cautioned.

It also means Coun. Pete Fry now stands alone as the only non-ABC member on council – until the by-election at least – further diminishing opposition to the ruling party. That will likely make it easier for Sim and ABC to consolidate power and advance their priorities in the city and across the region, with now two fewer opposition councillors at city hall. 

• The bigger factor on that front will be whether ABC councillors remain united, with councillors Peter Meiszner, Lisa Dominato, and Rebecca Bligh occasionally dissenting on their ABC colleagues’ motions, like on the gas ban debate.   

Sim did not respond to Carr’s claims that the decisions and practices of the ABC-majority, such as their practice of introducing surprise amendments and not listening to alternative opinions, are not in line with good governance or the best interests of the city. 

• When reached for comment about Carr’s resignation and statements, the Mayor’s Office directed Vancity Lookout to a brief statement posted by Sim on X. 

The upcoming byelection: It won’t have an immediate practical impact on the balance of power on city council, with the ABC Party continuing to hold the majority regardless of the outcome. However, the results will serve as a bellwether for how Vancouverites perceive the work and governance style of ABC under Mayor Ken Sim.  

Carr explained that she and Christine Boyle decided their parties, Green and OneCity, “should not compete, but instead collaborate, in the byelection, so that there won’t be such an overwhelming number of choices,” among progressive candidates. 

• In the 2017 byelection, the NPA’s Hector Bremner won with about 28% of votes, with three progressives, Jean Swanson, Pete Fry, and Judy Graves, splitting 55% of the vote. 

It still has to be confirmed by city council, but it looks like the byelection date will be April 5th, according to VIA. Carr noted that byelections have a notoriously low turnout, and is strongly encouraging voters to be active in the spring election. 

Looking forward: Carr said she’ll continue working to create social change in some capacity, but doesn’t know what form that will take quite yet. For now, she’s going to prioritize writing a book with Paul George, her husband of 40 years who co-founded the Western Canada Wilderness Committee, about their experiences as lifelong environmental advocates.

SPONSORED BY VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL WINE FESTIVAL

Escape to wine country at the Vancouver International Wine Festival

This winter, tour iconic wine regions without leaving Vancouver. The 46th annual Vancouver International Wine Festival is a weeklong celebration of food and wine, February 22 to March 2, featuring 121 wineries representing 15 countries. The festival features 43 events, including decadent winery dinners, fun-filled wine parties, early-evening seminars, weekend lunches, and the ever-popular International Festival Tastings. 

Take a deep dive into West Coast U.S wines, the 2025 theme region, as 50 wineries from California, Oregon, and Washington travel north to share their passion for winemaking at 24 dedicated events during festival week.

All participating wineries will gather for the four International Festival Tastings, February 27-March 1. The West Coast U.S. wineries are joined by an additional 71 wineries from Europe, South America and Australasia as well as home-grown BC wines. Discover new wines, new regions, and new favourites all festival week. There’s something to please every palate.

THE AGENDA

🐔 While avian flu has been on the rise in B.C. – with dozens of agricultural flocks being infected and requiring millions of birds to be killed – backyard chicken owners in Vancouver are taking extra steps to keep their birds safe from getting sick. Luckily, at the moment no cases of bird flu infection have been recorded amongst the city’s urban flocks. [CBC]

👮 Vancouver Police officers are under investigation for their handling of a search for a missing Indigenous woman, Chelsea Poorman, shortly after the 24-year-old arrived in Vancouver in 2020. After more than 20 months since being reported missing, Poorman’s body was found in the backyard of a vacant home in Shaughnessy in April 2022, with police saying her death was not suspicious. Several VPD officers are now under investigation for alleged neglect of duty, according to the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner. [CTV]

📉 Vancouver remains Canada’s most expensive rental market, but the asking rental price for a two-bedroom unit has dropped significantly – over 10% – since this time last year. Meanwhile, one-bedroom spots are going for 5.6% less compared to last January. It’s still rough out there, but might be worth pairing up and looking for one of those two-bedrooms if you’re in the market right now. [Zumper Rentals]

🏈 Simon Fraser University has announced they’re ending the school’s football program. Since 2009, SFU had competed in the U.S. through the NCAA, but had their affiliation discontinued in 2023. In discussing the decision, SFU’s vice president said the school’s main mission is not to develop professional athletes and that they need to work within their difficult financial reality. [CBC]

⚽ In positive sports news, Vancouver’s new women’s soccer team Rise FC have signed Canadian star player Quinn. The 29-year-old midfielder has won a gold and bronze medal at the Olympics and appeared in over 100 matches for Canada’s national team. [CBC] 

🤔 Is your pet-peeve really worth a call to 311? A group of B.C. bylaw officials released a top ten list of the most “interesting, unique, and funny” calls from 2024 in an effort to educate the public on what is, or, in these cases, is not an issue to report to your local bylaw officer. [CityNews]

🕺The nightclub and dance venue Paradise announced they’ll be shutting down operations at their current Chinatown space in March, after “behind-the-scenes back and forth with the City of Vancouver [made it] abundantly clear that there is no viable future at our current location,” they said, adding they plan to regroup and reimagine their operation. It’s another example of event and culture spaces that are struggling to keep afloat in the city. [Instagram]

Outside Vancouver 

😞 Two tenants at a recently closed supportive housing site in North Van say they would rather live in their cars than go to another similar situation. Both these women are sober and don’t want to be living in situations where they say open drug use is common and they feel unsafe. “My only crime is that I’m poor,” one of the former residents said as she cleared her things out of the unit on eviction day. [North Shore News]

🚏 TransLink has announced plans for 25 new bus rapid transit (BRT) stations in Surrey, Maple Ridge and Langley. However, the BRT plan, which also includes a route from Metrotown to the North Shore, is still unfunded. Translink’s next investment plan is scheduled for release this spring. [North Shore News, Translink]

WEEKEND GUIDE

Old New Year Ukrainian Party | Bar None Nightclub | Jan. 17, 10 pm-3 am | Tickets $30

CTRL Freak | Fortune Sound Club | Jan. 17, 10pm | Tickets $14

Taste of Chinatown! | Chinatown Storytelling Centre | Now until Feb. 2, 11 am-9 pm | Various free and paid events 

Riley Park Winter Farmers Market | 30th Ave. & Ontario St. | Every Saturday, until Mar. 29, 10 am-2 pm | Free 

The Host | VIFF Centre | Jan 18, 6 pm | Tickets $16

Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival | Multiple locations | Jan. 18 – Feb. 14 | Vendors and Events

The Shining | The Rio Theatre | Jan. 19, 8pm | Tickets $15 

Life Sciences BC Career Connect Day | Vancouver Convention Centre - East | Jan. 24, 9 am-4 pm | Tickets $30 

The Listening Circle: Poetry & Storytelling | Banyen Books and Sound | Jan. 30, 5 pm | Free

Swipe Right, a Comedy Show about Dating | Chill Pill Comedy | Jan. 31, 10 pm | Tickets $30 solo, $16 if you buy a pair

King Musu | Anvil Theatre | Feb. 6-8, 7:30 pm | Tickets $29

VAM Symphony Orchestra presents Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5 | Orpheum Theatre | Feb. 16, 2:00 | | Tickets $9 - $19

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PHOTO OF THE DAY

Big ups to the four guys currently building these sweet staircases (ft. my dog Sola in the foreground) off the Baden Powell Trail near Inter River Park on the North Shore. It sure makes for a less slippery descent!

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Ever feel like it’s hard to make friends in this town? You’re not alone. [CBC]

• It’s been nearly one year since the maximum daily temperature dropped below 4 degrees in Vancouver. That’s bad news for the snowpack, as one commenter points out. [Reddit]

• A juvenile bald eagle was rescued from the Lions Gate Bridge under odd circumstances. [VIA]

• Vancouver Dine Out’s 2025 participants have been announced. The popular fixed-menu event runs from Jan 22 - Feb 9. [DOVF] 

• Want to have your announcement featured? Learn how here.

GAME TIME

Congratulations to David and Michael for knowing it was the Plaza of Nations pictured in Wednesday’s Vancouver Guesser. 

Think you can guess today’s Wordle? Play it here.