LOCAL

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim Issues Apology Over Baseless Drug Distribution Allegations Against Councillor

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim apologizes to Councillor Sean Orr for baseless illegal drug distribution claims, raising concerns over council ethics and leadership.

Published

7 months ago

February 27, 2026

Current News Room

The Spark of the Controversy

Vancouver’s political landscape has been rocked by a formal apology from Mayor Ken Sim, who admitted to making unsubstantiated claims against fellow Councillor Sean Orr. The controversy centers on allegations Sim made during a media briefing earlier this month, where he suggested Orr had been distributing illegal drugs on the streets of Vancouver during Christmas Day. These remarks, delivered without supporting evidence, have drawn sharp criticism from across the political spectrum and raised questions about the standard of leadership at City Hall.

A Repetitive Defense

In a media scrum on Friday, Mayor Sim acknowledged the error, stating he had personally called Councillor Orr to apologize. However, the apology was overshadowed by Sim’s refusal to engage with follow-up questions from journalists. When pressed on the source of his information or the potential irresponsibility of spreading such claims without fact-checking, Sim repeated variations of the same statement: “I spoke with Coun. Orr yesterday, and I apologize for my comments.” This phrase was uttered more than a dozen times as reporters sought clarity on how a city leader could make such a damaging accusation without verification.

The Impact on Councillor Sean Orr

Councillor Sean Orr, a member of the COPE party and a long-time advocate for harm reduction, has “unequivocally” denied the allegations. Speaking to the media, Orr described the mayor’s comments as both ridiculous and defamatory. He revealed that during their phone call, Sim admitted to possessing “false information.” Orr questioned the origins of such rumors, asking if the mayor was receiving advice from unreliable sources like social media bots. Orr emphasized that while he supports safe supply programs modeled after alcohol regulation, the claim that he was personally handing out illegal drugs was a total fabrication that harmed the integrity of the council.

Growing Friction Within City Hall

The fallout from the mayor’s comments has extended beyond a personal dispute between two politicians. Green Party Councillor Pete Fry expressed significant outrage, stating he was “absolutely livid” to learn that Sim had echoed the baseless claims. Fry argued that Sim had betrayed the city’s code of conduct and the fundamental principles of good governance. The controversy is compounded by the fact that another ABC Vancouver councillor, Lenny Zhou, had previously apologized for making similar remarks about opposition members on WeChat. It was later revealed that Sim had made his own comments to Chinese-speaking media even before Zhou’s apology, suggesting a coordinated or at least widespread dissemination of the false narrative within the mayor’s party.

The Call for Unity and Responsibility

As the city faces complex issues ranging from housing affordability to the ongoing toxic drug crisis, the division within council poses a threat to effective policy-making. Orr noted that several ABC councillors have reached out to him privately to express their disappointment in the mayor’s rhetoric. According to Orr, the public expects a functioning council that works together for the betterment of Vancouver, rather than a leadership that fosters division through unsubstantiated attacks. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ethical responsibilities held by public officials and the lasting damage that misinformation can inflict on democratic institutions.

LOCAL

Where Provincial Jobless Rates Stood in September

Canada’s national unemployment rate reached 6.5 per cent in September. Explore the full provincial breakdown and regional employment figures from Statistics Canada.

Published

22 hours ago

October 9, 2026

Current Editor

National and Provincial Jobless Figures

Canada recorded a national unemployment rate of 6.5 per cent in September, according to data released by Statistics Canada on Oct. 9, 2026.

Across Western Canada, British Columbia’s jobless rate shifted to 6.4 per cent from 6.5 per cent in August. Alberta recorded a rate of 6.4 per cent, down from 6.8 per cent the previous month, while Saskatchewan dropped to 5.4 per cent from 6.0 per cent. Manitoba’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.0 per cent.

In Central Canada, Ontario’s unemployment rate rose slightly to 7.0 per cent from 6.9 per cent in August, while Quebec’s rate reached 6.0 per cent, up from 5.6 per cent.

Atlantic Canada and Regional City Data

In Atlantic Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador reported the highest provincial figure at 9.1 per cent, up from 8.6 per cent in August. New Brunswick saw a minor increase to 7.4 per cent from 7.3 per cent, and Nova Scotia rose to 6.3 per cent from 6.1 per cent. Prince Edward Island experienced a decline, moving to 7.3 per cent from 7.9 per cent.

Statistics Canada also tracked seasonally adjusted, three-month moving average rates for major urban areas. However, the agency cautioned that these municipal figures are subject to wide fluctuations due to smaller statistical sample sizes.

LOCAL

Who Is Running in Your Riding for the 2026 BC Election?

Check the full list of official candidates who have filed nomination papers for Kamloops, Fraser-Nicola, Cariboo-Chilcotin, and Salmon Arm-Shuswap ridings.

Published

22 hours ago

October 9, 2026

Current Editor

Candidates Confirmed Across Five Regional Ridings

Nomination papers have been officially submitted by individuals seeking election as local Members of the Legislative Assembly in the upcoming 2026 BC election.

In Kamloops Centre, voters will see a five-candidate field consisting of incumbent Peter Milobar for the BC Conservatives, Annelise Beach representing the BC Greens, Rocky McAfee for OneBC, Thaelo Proctor running as an Independent, and Mike Wisla representing the BC NDP.

To the north, the Kamloops-North Thompson constituency features incumbent Ward Stamer of the BC Conservatives, alongside Kory Clark running for the BC NDP and Deborah Friesen for OneBC.

Contests Set for Fraser-Nicola, Cariboo-Chilcotin, and Salmon Arm-Shuswap

In the Fraser-Nicola riding, incumbent Conservative Tony Luck faces challenges from Jason Leboe of the BC NDP and Patrick Mitchell of the BC Greens.

The Cariboo-Chilcotin ballot includes incumbent Lorne Doerkson running for the BC Conservatives, Kathryn Askew representing the BC NDP, and Douglas Gook representing the BC Greens.

Meanwhile, five candidates are contesting the Salmon Arm-Shuswap riding. Incumbent David Williams represents the BC Conservatives, joined on the ballot by Gloria Morgan for the BC NDP, Barbara Presch for OneBC, Denise Reimer for CentreBC, and Jed Wiebe for the BC Greens.

COMMUNITY

How Central Okanagan Residents Can Avoid Costly Household Plumbing Damage This Thanksgiving

RDCO warns Central Okanagan residents to dispose of Thanksgiving cooking fats in the garbage to avoid costly sewer blockages and plumbing damage.

Published

22 hours ago

October 9, 2026

Current Editor

Preventing Sewer Overflows During Holiday Gatherings

As Central Okanagan families come together for Thanksgiving between Oct. 10 and Oct. 12, regional officials are offering guidance to keep home plumbing systems safe. Disposing of fats, oils and cooking grease improperly remains the primary reason sewer lines block and overflow throughout the community.

Kit Caufield, Manager of Engineering Services for the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO), explained that grease accumulation inside pipe infrastructure restricts wastewater flow over time. Caufield noted that “Over time, grease builds up inside pipes, restricting wastewater flow and creating problems not only for homeowners, but across the entire sewer system. These blockages can damage household plumbing, result in costly repairs and interfere with critical wastewater infrastructure, including sewer lift stations,”

Proper Waste Disposal Guidelines

To prevent damage to both private plumbing and public infrastructure like sewer lift stations, the RDCO recommends catching leftover food particles using a drain basket or strainer. Residents should pour warm cooking fats into a covered tin container, which can be lined with a cooking bag if intended for reuse. After the grease cools and hardens, the container should be sealed and discarded in the trash.

Additionally, fatty foods such as salad dressings, mayonnaise, and other sauces must be thrown into the garbage rather than rinsed down sinks. For larger quantities of used cooking oil, individuals can take up to two 20-litre pails to the Glenmore Landfill for recycling, though commercial amounts are prohibited. Further details can be found on the RDCO website.