Vancouver Mayor Sim Promises Another Property Tax Freeze, More Community Centres

Vancouver Mayor Sim Promises Another Property Tax Freeze, More Community Centres
News| April 9, 2026| Monte Stewart
Canada + Apartment Buildings

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim is promising another municipal property-tax freeze and a major investment in community-centre infrastructure if he is re-elected this fall.

In a State of the City address during a Greater Vancouver Board of Trade luncheon, Sim offered glimpses into his upcoming election platform. He said his ABC Party-led government would freeze the municipal portion of property taxes again in 2027, with future increases capped at the rate of inflation.

The local commercial real estate industry often sites business-property taxes as a burden to investment and development.

He also pledged to establish a $400-million fund to rebuild community centres across Vancouver, although specific locations and timelines have yet to be announced.

Sim positioned the commitments as part of a broader focus on core municipal services, including public safety, infrastructure maintenance, waste collection and recreational amenities.

The mayor said the spending plans would follow efforts during his first term to stabilize the city’s finances, but did not outline how the tax freeze and new capital commitments would be balanced against rising costs.

Mayoralty candidates Rebecca Bligh and Pete Fry, who are currently city councillors, blasted Sim for failing to provide more specific details.

Bligh was kicked out of Sim’s ABC Party caucus in 2025 because she was not considered a good fit. She is now affiliated with Vote Vancouver.

Bligh also serves as president of the Federation of Canadian Municapilities, an umbrella organization for local governments across Canada.

Fry represents the Green Party.

According to CBC, the large crowd attending the event exceeded 1,000 people.

Sim’s ABC Party currently holds a strong majority. Commercial real estate industry leaders will monitor his position and statements regarding potential development-cost charge reductions closely as he seeks to earn a second term in the October election.

Pictured: Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim delivers his State of the City address during a Greater Vancouver Board of Trade luncheon.

Photo: Courtesy of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade

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