Council Members' Motion 2: Igniting Our Spirits – Bringing Vancouver Together Through Summer Celebration — Standing Committee on City Finance and Services, February 4, 2026

Motion 4 Carried

Moved by Ken Sim

Summary

Proposed directing staff to explore a mobile "vote bus" modelled on Calgary's program, examine free transit on voting days, and prepare a report on implementing ranked-choice voting for the 2030 mayoral election.
Mover Councillor Orr cited declining voter turnout (36% in 2022) and council's own 60% turnout target as justification.
Public speakers broadly supported both the transit access measures and ranked-choice voting, with several citing examples from New York City, London Ontario, and Australian/Scottish systems.
Councillor Domingado noted existing special voting opportunities (care facilities, homebound voting) already address many access barriers, and that evidence for free transit increasing turnout is weak.
Staff confirmed annual coordination meetings with Coast Mountain Bus already occur, and that polling stations will be expanded for the 2026 election.
Defeated with Councillors Joe, Kirby Young, Domingado, Montague, Klassen, Meisner, and Mayor Sim opposed.