Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim has called a special council meeting to seek approval for a plebiscite focused on public safety, street disorder and the treatment of severe mental health and addiction disorders.

If approved by council, the plebiscite would be held Oct. 17, alongside the 2026 municipal election.

Voters would be asked two questions:

1. Are you in favour of the City of Vancouver strengthening its laws to prohibit open-air use of hard drugs, including heroin, methamphetamine, fentanyl and crack cocaine, in public spaces?
2. Should the City of Vancouver formally ask the Province of British Columbia to convert portions of the former St. Paul’s Hospital site, or another similar location, into a secure medical facility providing acute voluntary care and more than 100 involuntary treatment beds for individuals who pose a serious risk to themselves or others because of severe substance use and mental health disorders?

“This is my top priority,” Sim said in a statement. “A ‘Yes’ vote will deliver tangible change in how open-air hard drug use is enforced in our city and tangible change in how healthcare is delivered for those who need it.

“It’s time for us to come together as a city and solve a problem that Vancouverites face every day.”

Sim also announced the release of a policy paper outlining the rationale for the plebiscite, as well as background information on jurisdictional considerations, policy approaches and potential actions should voters support the measures.

However, opposition parties were quick to criticize the proposal, arguing it comes too late in Sim’s term.

TEAM for a Livable Vancouver issued a statement accusing the mayor and his ABC Vancouver party of failing to adequately address public health and safety issues during their time in office.

“We don’t need a plebiscite to tell us that open-air drug use is unacceptable and a threat to public health and safety,” the statement said. “Ken Sim and ABC had four years to deal with this crisis but failed to deliver solutions. Their proposed plebiscite is just a cynical attempt to distract from their four years of ineffective government.”

TEAM mayoral candidate Colleen Hardwick said the addictions crisis remains one of the city’s most pressing challenges.

“Vancouver needs serious leadership that recognizes it’s time to change how we’ve been dealing with this problem,” Hardwick said. “That’s why TEAM is focused on a recovery-oriented approach that provides lasting solutions, not short-term political stunts like this plebiscite.”

Vancouver Liberals mayoral candidate Kareem Allam also expressed opposition to the proposal, calling for council to reject what he described as a non-binding public safety plebiscite.

“A plebiscite won’t solve anything and neither will Ken Sim,” Allam said. “He’s had his four years.”

Vancouver City Council is scheduled to vote on the proposed plebiscite at a special meeting on Aug. 14 at 8 a.m..