Childcare, transit passes, and grocery stores: Vancouver parties weigh in on what they would do to reduce your cost of living

If there’s one thing Vancouverites can agree on, it’s that everything is too d*mn expensive. Housing and food are the most obvious culprits, but things like transportation and childcare can also be a money pit. In our Lookout Municipal Election Survey, readers ranked cost of living and poverty as very important issues when deciding how to vote in the upcoming municipal election.

In the second edition of our municipal election guide, we asked each party a series of questions about their policies and stance toward various affordability initiatives. 

We asked parties to have their candidates for council, park board, and school board answer these questions. Some parties have taken that direction, while others have provided responses as a party. If the answer comes from a specific candidate that’s been noted. If there’s no attribution it means the statement is coming from the party.

Parties are listed in alphabetical order. If a party response is not listed it means we did not receive an answer by our deadline. We will update our web version of this story accordingly if and when we receive further responses.

Responses have been edited for length and clarity. 

“Our focus is on the things the City can directly control and deliver on: keeping Vancouver affordable, safe, and well-run. We know affordability is a primary concern for Vancouverites and that these are uncertain times, so we’ve frozen property tax increases at zero percent for this year and are committed to freezing them again in 2027 because this provides both renters and owners with predictability when they need it most.”

“COPE is committed to creating a publicly owned grocery store on public land to make healthy, culturally appropriate food more affordable and accessible. We will leverage the City’s purchasing power to buy directly from local farmers and producers, supplying food to public grocers and school meal programs at deeply affordable prices … We believe food is a human right, and the City should use the land, purchasing power, and other tools it already has to provide a public alternative to a grocery system dominated by a handful of large corporations.” — Chloe Leslie, city council candidate 

“We support the goal of making healthy food more affordable, but our priority would be strengthening Vancouver's existing food security and food recovery network. We would look at how the City can better support organizations already doing this work through access to space, funding and stronger partnerships, while helping more edible surplus food from grocery stores, restaurants and markets reach community organizations instead of the waste stream. We would also work with Vancouver's food recovery organizations to identify gaps in the current system and determine where the City can remove barriers or provide resources to help them serve more people.”

“We want people who have limited capacity to travel long distances to have access to affordable food. A city-supported grocery store could be an option in certain neighbourhoods of the City, but we’ll also explore other options, including ways to make it easier for small grocery stores and bodegas to open.” — Frances Bula, city council candidate

Food security is important, but it is not within the mandate of the City to own and operate grocery stores. TEAM will ensure neighbourhoods are planned so that grocery stores are close and accessible, farmers markets are supported, and food access is plentiful across the city.” — Josh Gordon, city council candidate

“No, running stores isn't a core municipal competency, and it exposes the city to ongoing operating risk that's hard to unwind if it doesn't pencil out … Food security is a real and growing priority, but we'd rather pursue it through measures that support the organizations already doing this work: leasing underused city-owned or Park Board land to non-profit food hubs, community markets, and co-op grocery models (similar to UBC's food hub) at nominal rates, and making food banks exempt from property tax so more of every donated dollar goes to food rather than overhead.”

“No. A city-owned grocery store is not the best way to address rising grocery costs for Vancouverites. The City can, however, play a meaningful role in making lower-cost grocery options easier to establish and operate … The goal should be to use the tools the City actually has, like city-owned space, rents, permits, and licensing, to reduce unnecessary overhead and help create more affordable food options, rather than having taxpayers take on the cost and risk of operating a grocery store.”

“Transit is the responsibility of TransLink and the Province, and rather than creating a costly parallel program at the municipal level, we believe the City should focus its resources on the services and priorities it is directly responsible for, like investing in micromobility programs.” 

“As a committed transit activist, I am proud to be running for COPE due to its decades-long proven commitment to campaign on free transit and low cost options … Councillor Sean Orr passed a motion advocating for a Low Income Transit Pass, just $25 a month for anyone earning under $40,000 a year, which a COPE city council will continue to push for using Vancouver’s representation within TransLink. COPE will push for free transit for anyone under 18; an extension of COPE’s successful campaign for free transit for kids under 12 across BC, led by former COPE councillor Jean Swanson. And COPE will continue our push for a free transit pilot program.” — Solomon Yi-Kieran, city council candidate

“Yes. Affordable transit needs to be pursued regionally through TransLink and the Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation, because Vancouver's transit system serves communities across the Lower Mainland. Vancouver Council has already unanimously supported advocating for a $25 monthly transit pass for people earning less than $40,000 per year, and we support moving that work forward. We would ensure Vancouver continues to champion affordable transit at the regional level and advocate for the Province to be a funding partner. Council has also asked TransLink to update a previous regional cost estimate of approximately $60 million to $70 million. Until that work is complete and a regional funding arrangement is established, there is no responsible Vancouver-specific cost estimate to provide.”

“Yes, we need to make sure transit is affordable for everyone … in June of this year, OneCity Vancouver’s Lucy Maloney supported the Council motion to create a low-income transit pass, and after this fall our elected OneCity councillors will work with TransLink and the Province to discuss how we can cost-share and make this program happen. We'll make affordable and accessible transit a priority.” — Iona Bonamis, city council candidate

“TEAM supports an affordable transit system, especially for low-income people who need the transit system the most. We will advocate for low-cost options with TransLink, which has the authority over transit, not the City.” — Kathleen Larsen, city council candidate

“We don't have a costed, city-funded fare program in the platform, and we're wary of promising one without being able to defend the number. A citywide free-transit commitment carries a large ongoing operating cost that would fall on TransLink's budget, not the City's, and TransLink hasn't agreed to it. What we do support is advocating for network improvements that make transit worth using for the people who most need it … A low-income transit pass is a serious advocacy ask to TransLink and the Province, not something we'd present as a City-funded commitment.”

“Yes. Vote Vancouver will seek to partner with TransLink to deliver a free transit pass for every Vancouver resident under the age of 18 … We would work with TransLink to determine the most cost-effective way to administer the program and establish the City’s share of the cost. Our commitment is to make this happen within our first 100 days, working with our regional partners to deliver a straightforward, accessible program.” 

“We support expanding childcare, but we believe the VSB should focus on its core education mandate rather than creating a parallel childcare system. ABC has already taken significant action to create more childcare spaces in Vancouver: since adopting the City’s 10-year Childcare Strategy in 2022, more than 2,000 new spaces have become operational, with additional centres underway. We have also streamlined approvals, reduced parking requirements, and recently changed zoning to make it easier for childcare operators to open in neighbourhoods.”

“As COPE school board candidates, we support expanding public, unionized VSB child care and working with experienced non-profit child care providers at school sites … we will apply for new provincial funding to create VSB-operated before and after-school care and help improve access … We will call for a review of the 70% increase in VSB lease rates for non-profit school-age child care providers now being phased in over three years … We will protect existing affordable spaces and push the province to restart and expand the $10-per-day program.” — Melanie Cheng, school board candidate

“Yes. The VSB has the authority to operate licensed childcare on school property, and we support using that authority where it can create more spaces, alongside partnerships with experienced non-profit childcare providers. We would identify appropriate school spaces for childcare and before- and after-school care, incorporate childcare into major school renewals and new facilities, and make it easier for qualified non-profit operators to use suitable VSB space. The Province controls expansion of the $10-a-day program … we would advocate for more $10-a-day spaces on school sites.”

“A OneCity School Board will commit the VSB to lead on public child care across the city. We’ll do this by starting with a multi-site out of school care pilot and then expand it district wide with a goal of securing and expanding $10-per-day childcare.” - Krista Sigurdson, school board candidate

“TEAM would advocate for a childcare program provided by the VSB. Since the VSB gets its funding from the province, it would require additional provincial funding to increase the number of $10-per-day spaces. The VSB could also partner with the Park Board since Community Centres already provide child care programs.” - Kat Nystedt, school board candidate 

“VSB currently leases space at 73 school sites to non-profit operators running before/after-school care. It’s a model that works, and we wouldn't disrupt it. The fall 2025 School Amendment Act gave boards new authority worth using narrowly: operating childcare directly, including infant/toddler care and non-instructional-day care … Board-operated programming has the potential to add value by filling those specific gaps, not displacing the 73 sites already working … We'd use VSB's new authority to open non-instructional-day and infant/toddler spaces now, while pushing the Province to lift the funding freeze for $10-per-day spaces and prioritize Vancouver's backlog first.”

“Yes. The VSB has operated childcare programs in the past and can build on that experience and existing infrastructure. We would make better use of school facilities on days when schools are not in session to expand affordable childcare, including before- and after-school programs where regulations allow. Because $10-a-day childcare is provincially funded, the VSB and City should advocate for adequate provincial funding, expand eligibility to more organizations, and help non-profits navigate the application process.”

“We do not support increasing fees on Vancouver residents for access to parks and community facilities. In fact, we believe we should be looking for ways to lower costs, including eliminating pay parking at community centres. Rather than continually increasing user fees, we should make better use of the City’s existing resources and break down the silos between the City and its boards to find efficiencies and new funding opportunities. The ABC-approved City of Vancouver Partnership Program is a good example of this approach, bringing in outside partners to help fund and enhance community amenities.”

“Increasing parking and user fees for community centers passes the cost of public space onto those who are least equipped to pay. This approach is inequitable and unsustainable. Park board services have been, and should continue to be, funded by municipal tax revenue. The incoming Park Board must work alongside the next City Council to restore and cement reliable Park Board funding from municipal tax revenue.” — Sacia Burton, park board candidate

“Fees for core activities like swimming lessons, field permits and ice rentals need to be subsidized and stay within reach of Vancouver families. On the other hand, ordinary commercial rates are suitable for parking, restaurants and other private uses. Last term, user fees have gone up, but the city contribution of tax dollars to park board has gone down. Users are not experiencing the system improvements they deserve. We will work with the Mayor and Council to return park board funding to 50% to match revenues raised by user fees.”

“A OneCity park board would ensure funding levels are adequate to steward Vancouver's public spaces in a responsible, sustainable, and equitable way; we will ensure that innovative measures are thoroughly explored as we weigh options for generating the funding increases we so desperately need.” — Dominic Denofrio, park board candidate

Editor’s note: We asked OneCity to clarify whether they are for or against increasing park board fees, and if so which ones, but the party did not respond by publication time.

“TEAM would ensure that Park Board facilities and services are affordable for all. Parking fees would be reduced or eliminated, and not used as a revenue source. The Park Board should be properly funded through operating and capital funding in the annual City budget.” — Wah Gee, park board candidate

“No. On parking specifically, we're committed to removing parking meters at beaches and community centres entirely within the first year, not adding fees. Raising user fees on basic access to parks and rec facilities disproportionately hits lower-income residents, which is exactly the outcome we're trying to avoid … We’d increase capital and operational funding to the park board and establish a charitable foundation structure to bring in philanthropic donations.”

“No. Vote Vancouver Park Board candidates do not support increasing fees for the use of Park Board facilities and services. Instead, we would focus on expanding access, increasing utilization and investing in facilities that deliver a strong return through greater public use. For example, we would restore full public access to Kitsilano Pool, allowing more Vancouverites to use the facility and increasing revenue through greater utilization.”

“The City already provides its employees with competitive compensation packages, including wages, pensions and benefits, and its Fair Wage policy provides a stable standard for qualifying contractors. We believe the City should continue using a five-year rolling average rather than automatically tying municipal contracts to an externally calculated annual Living Wage, while reviewing the Fair Wage each year against inflation, comparable compensation, municipal finances and procurement impacts. This approach respects workers, provides certainty for employers and contractors, and recognizes that taxpayers ultimately pay for the services the City purchases. Fair wages and fiscal responsibility should go hand in hand.”

“COPE will restore it — full stop. We stand with labour, not against it … the decision to end the city’s participation in the program in 2023 affects roughly 240 direct city employees, plus contract workers like janitors and security guards, who now fall below Metro Vancouver's living wage of $27.85/hour — nearly $10 more than BC's minimum wage of $18.25/hour — meaning many still aren't paid enough to actually cover rent, food, and childcare in this city.” — Dr. Devyani Singh, city council candidate

“Yes. Green Councillor Pete Fry co-submitted a motion with Councillor Lucy Maloney earlier this year to re-certify Vancouver as a Living Wage Employer. The motion was defeated. We would bring that commitment back. People who work for the City, directly or through applicable City contracts, should earn enough to meet the actual cost of living in the region. Vancouver should lead by example as an employer.”

“I would absolutely advance re-certifying Vancouver as a living wage employer and spoke in favour of doing so when this issue was before Council in January.  All city workers deserves a wage that allows them to live with dignity in the city they work for. Supporting a living wage benefits all Vancouverites - by supporting retention, recruitment, and productivity of city employees, increasing investment in our local economy, and supporting peoples’ ability to fully participate in their communities.” — Caitlin Stockwell, city council candidate

“Yes, we support recertifying the city as a Living Wage employer. TEAM supports the City of Vancouver paying fair living wages to employees, while also providing fair value to the public.” 

“Yes … When the policy launched in 2016, raising the lowest-paid staff and contractors to the living wage cost under 0.5% of the City's third-party purchasing budget. That’s a rounding error, not a fiscal necessity. There are ways we can manage volatility without decertifying, including increased benefits, building pre-scheduled increases into multi-year union contracts, and phasing in a catch-up schedule for the specific contract categories most affected.”

“Yes. Vancouver has one of the highest costs of living in Canada, and the City should recognize that in how we support the people who work for it. Re-certifying as a Living Wage Employer is an investment in City staff and in the quality of the services they provide … Reinvesting in our staff means recognizing the real cost of living in Vancouver, supporting good jobs, and ensuring the City can attract and retain the talented people we need to deliver for Vancouverites.”