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Progressive negotiations
The two-term councillor is getting close to formally launching his campaign as the Greens, COPE, and OneCity continue strategic meetings ahead of the 2026 election
Nate Lewis
December 05, 2025
Good morning,
Nate with you today. Anyone else start to get angsty this time of year? For me I think it has a lot to do with worries about gift giving — what to get/make all the people in my life to show how much I love and care about them?
It feels like there’s just so much that needs to be attended to this time of year, particularly in these first few weeks of December, before most people get to shut down for the holidays.
If you’re like me and have started to feel a little squirrely with everything on your plate, let’s collectively take a beat, a breath, a minute, and remember what’s important — not necessarily giving the perfect gift or checking everything off your to-do list before the new year, but, as much as we can, celebrating, relaxing, and enjoying the company of our loved ones all month long.
😮💨
With that, let’s get to today’s story.
— Nate Lewis, Vancity Lookout
As always, you can send your tips, leads, and story ideas to Nate at [email protected].
PS - If you find this newsletter valuable, please consider forwarding it to your friends. New to the Lookout? Sign-up for free.
WEATHER
Friday: 9 🌡️ 7 | 🌧️
Saturday: 9 🌡️ 6 | 🌤️
Sunday: 8 🌡️ 7 | 🌧️
Monday: 9 🌡️ 6 | 🌧️
INSIDER
Exclusive: Pete Fry “likely” to run for mayor, while progressive parties negotiate on election strategy
Green Party councillor Pete Fry, who has been teasing a mayoral run for months, told Vancity Lookout it’s “likely” he’ll be launching a campaign for mayor with the Greens, but stopped short of confirming that decision officially.
“It's not something that I've ever truly aspired to, but I now see that it's something that I have to do, likely, for the betterment of the city,” Fry said. “My primary motivation at the end of the day will be to prevent Ken Sim and ABC from controlling the City of Vancouver.”
A significant factor in Fry’s decision is how the ongoing negotiations between the Vancouver Green Party, the Coalition of Progressive Electors (COPE), and OneCity are playing out. The three progressive civic parties are meeting with the goal of crafting a high-level strategic plan to improve their chances of success in the 2026 municipal elections.
After months of discussion in various capacities, the parties have yet to reach a clear consensus on exactly how to work together, but they’re still discussing opportunities for cooperation.
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This story is an exclusive report on discussions between progressive parties in Vancouver about potentially joining together to select a mayoral candidate. If you’re interested in city hall isuses, you will love this story.
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“We feel like we're on a good path,” COPE Co-Chair Shawn Vulliez said, on establishing a better working relationship between the three parties. “It's also important that people in Vancouver get to have meaningful choices on their ballots.”
OneCity’s executive director Giovanna Orecchio indicated there’s quite a bit more work to do, “parsing through some of the crunchy spots,” but told Vancity Lookout that OneCity is “heartened with the intention and good faith that people have demonstrated,” in the negotiations so far.
By still not officially announcing his campaign, Fry said he’s “really trying to make space for us to do this right, in a very collaborative and respectful way, so that we're not splitting progressive votes.”
However, Fry, who clarified he’s not directly part of negotiations, said while he’d like to see the parties come to a tangible agreement around ideas like a single unifying candidate for mayor, he’ll need to go ahead and launch his own campaign if the parties don’t reach an agreement soon.
“I think the challenge that I see is that the longer I don't make a decision, the more crowded the field gets,” Fry said. Those prospective candidates include Amanda Burrows and William Azaroff, who are competing to be OneCity’s candidate for mayor. COPE has just recently announced they will also be accepting nominations for mayoral candidates.
These developments suggest that each party will run its own candidate for mayor, which none of them did in 2022.
Looking at the field more broadly, Kareem Allam and Rebecca Bligh have both announced they’ll be running for mayor under the banner of two new civic parties, the Vancouver Liberals and Vote Vancouver, respectively. Meanwhile, TEAM is seeking nominees, including for mayor, and TEAM’s 2022 mayoral candidate and former city councillor Colleen Hardwick confirmed to Vancity Lookout that she will be seeking the party’s mayoral nomination.
Current Mayor Ken Sim has previously said he’d seek re-election, according to VIA, but that was two years ago. While it’s widely assumed Sim will run again, ABC Vancouver had not responded to Vancity Lookout’s request for confirmation by publication time.
“For mayor, I think that the choice of the public is actually a really important thing,” Vulliez said. He said that parties running their own nomination races can get people excited to participate and allow parties to gauge support through polling and volunteering. That process allows things to unfold naturally to the benefit of every party, he added.
However, it seems “unlikely” to Vulliez that there would still be three mayoral candidates from the progressive side by the election next fall.
“If there were a clear frontrunner, [with] momentum, I wouldn't want to be a spoiler to that,” Fry said, indicating he would be happy to try and continue as a city councillor if another strong progressive candidate for mayor emerged.
Azaroff, a mayoral nominee for OneCity, agreed. “If it seemed obvious there was a better choice [for mayor] then I would want to be for that,” Azaroff said, while emphasizing he didn’t want to get into hypotheticals on how the race might play out if he becomes the OneCity candidate.
“The ultimate goal is to replace Ken Sim and the ABC majority with a progressive vision,” for the city, Azaroff said.
Avoiding a progressive vote split
A critical and specific part of the negotiations is the number of candidates each party will run. With delicate and complex negotiations continuing later this week, there’s no agreement yet on the specifics of what those numbers would look like.
The number of candidates running for each party is key because they all want to avoid the kind of vote-splitting scenario that played out in the last general election.
“From OneCity’s perspective, it is a high priority to get the number of candidates to fewer than there were in 2022,” Orecchio said. The 2022 municipal election saw 137 candidates running for 27 elected positions across city government. That included four city council candidates each from OneCity and Cope, five from the Greens, and six from former mayor Kennedy Stewart’s short-lived Forward Together party, all competing for ten total seats
“Kennedy's decision to run the Forward Together slate was really kind of the heart of the too many candidates issue in 2022,” COPE’s Vulliez reflected. In the recent by-election, the Greens, COPE, and OneCity ran one candidate each for two open spots, which Vulliez believes is a good model.
“I think a similar arrangement where parties aren't contesting seven, eight seats for city council [in the general election] is a good thing,” Vulliez said. At the same time, the parties offer different things, he said, and it’s important to provide voters with real options that reflect each party’s distinct values and political approach.
Threading the needle between creating meaningful choice and avoiding a mathematical disadvantage means negotiating the number of candidates each party will run for mayor, city council, park board, and school board.
The negotiations are also about figuring out how the three parties could share power and cooperate at those different levels of government, Green Party Chair Nicolas Poppell told Vancity Lookout. Poppell pointed to the example of Fry, and councillors Sean Orr (COPE), and Lucy Maloney (OneCity), finding ways to work together at City Hall.
“I really love working with [Orr and Maloney] and I have a great deal of respect for them. I appreciate the passion and insights that they bring into their roles,” Fry said, emphasizing Orr’s strength on issues around poverty reduction and Maloney’s expertise on active transportation.
“Historically speaking, [the Greens] never run a majority slate on any level, because we do feel that collaboration is really key,” Poppell said, adding that power-sharing between parties leads to the best results. “We don't believe that a single party should hold all the power. Cooperation only works when it's balanced and respectful.”
Neither Orecchio or Vulliez were prepared to publicly commit that their party would run a limited number of candidates, as the specifics are still being debated and worked out through the negotiations.
“We really care about building the power required to win next year,” Orecchio said. “We can assure folks that it is happening and that all of us care, and all of us are at the table, because we believe in the city, and we want to turn the page.”
THE VANCOUVER NUMBER
30
The number of non-unionized staff who will be laid off at the City of Vancouver after council voted to freeze property taxes next year. [CTV]
THE VANCOUVER BRIEF
City looks for new ways to spur development: The decline in housing developments is causing concerns at City Hall about the viability of future housing projects. To address this, the planning department is looking at new ways to increase the number of homes built by reducing developer fees and requirements for below-market units, according to the Vancouver Sun.
It’s a tradeoff. It means less affordable housing and infrastructure would get funded and built, but the city believes these proposed changes are necessary to help ensure future market housing developments. That problem isn’t acute right now, but if conditions remain the same and the pipeline of new buildings dries up, it could lead to even worse housing shortages in the future. Because material conditions often lag behind policy on the timeline of years, it would take time to adjust if the city waits until prices and rents start to rise again due to a lack of supply.
B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad is out: After a massive caucus revolt, Rustad resigned as leader on Thursday, but plans to stay on as MLA. Conservative MLA and former BC Liberal MLA Trevor Halford was selected as the interim leader, according to CBC.
The story has a small connection to Vancouver. Dallas Brodie, MLA for Vancouver-Quilchena, was expelled from the Conservative caucus in March over her disproven beliefs questioning the deaths of children at Residential Schools. Brodie formed a new far-right party, OneBC, and took a few other MLAs with her, further weakening the Conservatives and Rustad’s leadership.
In an argument with Brodie this week, Premier David Eby indicated that his government could be supportive of a private member's bill to make recalling MLAs easier, according to Castanet.
Written by Geoff Sharpe and Nate Lewis
THE AGENDA
🏢 Even after receiving a low-cost loan from the province, the developer of a 28-storey rental tower at 2538 Birch St. is selling it to an Indigenous advocacy firm that plans to turn the development into hotel-like units for Indigenous patients. Read more. [Vancouver Sun]
❌ A plan to reduce rental building pollution and help mitigate climate change issues was cut by $8.2 million in Vancouver’s recent budget. The program helped landlords change gas heating to electric heat pumps. Read more. [National Observer]
👮 There will be no criminal charges in the death of an eight-year-old girl who fell from a high-rise in Yaletown on Nov. 11, after police concluded it was a tragic accident. Read more [CBC]
🏟️ Size doesn’t matter, right? Not according to Adam van Koeverden, Canada’s Secretary of State for Sport. He recently criticized the size of Canada’s stadiums when it comes to the FIFA World Cup in Canada, which encompasses BC Place, noting that many U.S. college stadiums are far larger. Read more. [CityNews]
🏒 The Vancouver Goldeneyes lost 2-0 to the Boston Fleet on Wednesday. Since an thrilling opening night win the team has struggled, losing its last three games. One big factor has been the loss of star forward Sarah Nurse to injury for the past three games. The Goldeneyes will return home to Pacific Coliseum for a matinee game on Saturday. Read more. [VIA]
⚽ Speaking of sports on Saturday, most of the city’s attention will be squarely focused on the Whitecaps, as they play in the MLS Final against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami. Don’t oversleep this one! Kickoff is at 11:30 am. Read more. [Sportsnet]
HOUSING
Sublets and ghost leases: How newcomers are finding community in Vancouver’s rental maze
Written by Grace Shutti.
It’s July 2024. As my roommate helps me load my belongings into his car, I prepare for my tenth move in a year and a half. He drives the distance from our shared house, my sublet in Mount Pleasant, to my apartment, which is my permanent home in Grandview-Woodland.
The typical advice for a newcomer is to find a transitional short term rental until you find long term housing. Luckily, I was informed that social media groups are the key to information on the city. I joined every relevant, and occasionally irrelevant, page that I could find. Brits in Vancouver and Irish and New to Vancouver became my authorities. Where’s the best fish and chips? Consult the group. Need a house? Consult the group.
As with 78% of migrants in the city, renting and living with roommates was the most affordable option. In my scouring of community groups, I kept coming across offers of a sublet, and it quickly emerged as a cheap, temporary choice.
WEEKEND EVENT GUIDE
Toque Craft Fair | Western Front, 303 E 8th Ave. | Dec. 5, 5–9 pm; Dec. 6–7, 11 am–5 pm | Curated craft fair with textiles, ceramics, jewelry and homewares by BC artisans | Donation
Vancouver International Black Film Festival 2025 | VIFF Vancity Theatre, 1181 Seymour St., Vancouver | Dec. 5–9, various times | Festival featuring 35 films, panels and workshops amplifying Black voices, creators | Tickets $12–$45
Marine Gateway Holiday Market | 450 SW Marine Drive | Dec. 6, 12–6 pm | Outdoor holiday market featuring artist and artisan booths at Marine Gateway’s second annual market | Free
West Coast Express Santa Train | West Coast Express Stations | Dec. 6, morning departures | Free Santa Train ride with donation of new toy or cash supporting local holiday charities | Free with donation
ESF Holiday Markets on Commercial Drive | 1739 Venables St., Vancouver | Dec. 6–7 & Dec. 13–14, 11 am–5 pm | Indoor/outdoor market with local makers, vintage finds, food trucks and festive drinks | Free
Riot Vancouver Sketch Comedy Holiday Spectacular | Dec. 7, 8–10 pm | A monthly live sketch show exploring local issues and events | Tickets $12
Winter Market at Vanier Park | Vanier Park, Vancouver | Dec. 7, 12 pm | Outdoor seaside market with artisans, cultural venues, entertainment and cozy holiday treats | Donation
Concord Christmas | 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver | Dec. 7, 1–5 pm | Photos with Santa, live student music, crafts, cookie decorating and festive lighting at Roundhouse | Suggested donation $5+
“You Got Gold” – A Celebration of John Prine | VIFF, 777 Homer St. | Multiple Dec. dates | Film tribute to John Prine featuring performances by admired artists celebrating his life and music | Tickets $16+
Want to see your event here? Submit them to our event calendar.
FOOD
New buns in town
Xiao long bao, also known as soup dumplings, are experiencing a surge in popularity. Din Tai Fung, the massive Taiwanese chain that opened up in Vancouver this spring, has the highest average restaurant sales in the US. North Americans cannot get enough of them.
Next week, in our free restaurant review newsletter, I share a brand new spot, literally a few weeks old, that’s serving up exceptionally made soup dumplings.
PHOTO OF THE DAY
A stoic shot of the former Army and Navy building on West Cordova.
COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS
This Holiday Season, surprise your loved ones with a gift certificate for a Chinatown experience. They can be used any time of year. [Sponsored]
Registration for the Vancouver Polar Bear Swim is now open.
There’s a new upscale seafood spot opening at Homer and West Georgia. [Vanmag]
Nardwuar Nardcar? The Vancouver icon got his own special taxi cab in London. [Vancouver is Awesome]
A celebrated Vancouver chef shared what she learned after cooking in Australia for two weeks. [Vancouver Sun]
VANCOUVER GUESSER
Nate Lewis
When I put together the frozen Trout Lake guesser a couple weeks ago I was worried it was too obvious. The lake’s been frozen enough to allow for skating only a few of times in the past quarter century, and while it froze nine years ago in early 2017 I assumed the epic conditions in early 2024 would be top of mind for most folks.
Apparently not though! 2024, which was the correct answer, got the fewest number of votes from readers, finishing well behind all the other options. 🤷
For today’s Guesser we’ll go back to a more traditional question. Can you tell me which neighbourhood the photo above was taken in?
Is it... |
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