Mayor Ken Sim Reaffirms 'Zero Means Zero' Property Tax Cap as Vancouver Police Reach Hiring Targets

VANCOUVER, BC — Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim reaffirmed his administration's commitment to the 'Zero Means Zero' municipal tax policy during a civic leadership address, highlighting balanced operational budgets and downtown public safety benchmarks heading into the October municipal election.

Fiscal Discipline and Police Nurse Deployments

Mayor Sim reported that the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) has successfully filled all 100 new officer positions authorized under council's public safety mandate, paired with Car 87/88 mental health nurse teams. He noted that operational efficiencies and digital modernization within city hall allowed Vancouver to absorb wage pressures without raising municipal residential property taxes in 2026.

Mayor Sim asserted that fiscal discipline and public safety can go hand-in-hand, making Vancouver an attractive destination for tech enterprise and downtown retail revitalization.

Council Debate and Public Amenities Scrutiny

Opposition councillors argued that freezing property taxes limits funding for community community centre infrastructure in East Vancouver.

Business improvement associations in Gastown and Chinatown reported measurable improvements in foot traffic and street safety.

Budget Outlook

City staff will present the 2027 preliminary 5-year financial framework to council in November 2026.