Our current bloc voting system makes city councils less diverse and often results in one party dominating council. Proportional voting systems ensure that elected city councilors reflect the diversity of beliefs and backgrounds that citizens actually voted for. Such a system can be designed to support both independent candidates and those who run as part of a party slate.

We asked the candidates where they stand on supporting proportional representation, supporting local choice (for cities to choose their own systems), and whether they will actively oppose the introduction the introduction of single member (first-past-the-post) wards.

If a candidate is not listed below, that’s because they didn’t respond to our survey. Please read the important background information first.

Important Background Information

Fair Vote Vancouver supports proportional representation (PR) for the City of Vancouver. Only PR makes every vote count and delivers a city council that reflects the diversity of Vancouver.

To achieve proportional representation in Vancouver, we need two things: 

1) Local Choice

The provincial government must give the City of Vancouver permission to use methods other than winner-take-all systems (first-past-the-post and block voting). We call this “local choice”. Vancouver City Council has already made this request, but there is no response from the province. More advocacy is needed.

2) City Council must pass legislation to implement a proportional system

PR for Vancouver could be accomplished in different ways. For example, we could have small multi-member wards that elect councillors using Single Transferable Vote (PR-STV). We could have a Mixed Member Proportional system where some seats are elected in single member wards and a second tier is elected at-large, to ensure the overall results are proportional. A PR system could be negotiated by city councillors following public consultation. Vancouver’s Independent Election Task Force recommended a Citizens’ Assembly to choose the PR system.

Fair Vote Vancouver does NOT support: 

1) Single Member Wards alone

Moving from our current system to first-past-the-post in single member wards is not a step forward. A single-member ward system would deny representation to groups who are spread out throughout the city, rather than being concentrated in one area. Many individual residents would still lack a councilor who represented their views. Adopting single member wards could make it harder to move to PR later.

A ward system as an interim step is acceptable as long as the wards elect more than one member each.

2) A referendum

Abundant research evidence from Canada and around the world shows that referendums are a poor tool for getting an informed citizen opinion on electoral reform. There are better ways to engage, consult and educate the citizens of Vancouver.

OneCity Vancouver

OneCity has been a consistent advocate of proportional representation. Christine Boyle has worked closely with Fair Vote Vancouver. Of the current councillors, Christine has been a particularly strong leader on democratic reform – she spearheaded a motion asking the province to pass Local Choice legislation for Vancouver. 

OneCity’s platform on electoral reform is below. A Citizens’ Assembly to determine the model of PR was recommended by Vancouver’s Independent Election Task Force. 

OneCity’s platform on local democracy:

Update the way Vancouver votes

OneCity will engage Vancouverites about what residents want from their voting system and ask for suggested changes.

1. Call upon the provincial government to enact “Local Choice” legislation similar to Ontario’s, giving municipalities the power to make changes to their electoral system with a range of options. 
2. Strike a citizen’s assembly to recommend either a proportional, ward or hybrid system to improve diversity and representation at the local level.
3. Strive to implement these recommendations in the next civic election in 2026, so residents can see the new model in practice and then hold a referendum on whether to keep it following the 2030 election.

Green Party of Vancouver

The Green Party of Vancouver’s platform about Governance and Accountability

Although the Green platform doesn’t specifically mention electoral reform, all five Council Candidates support making Vancouver elections more representative:

1. They support proportional representation, specifically a Mixed Member Proportional system;
2. They are in favour of expanding the voting systems that Vancouver and other BC cities are allowed to choose from; and
3. They are opposed to wards.

COPE (Coalition of Progressive Electors)

COPE has no platform on electoral reform, although they have been consistent in supporting proportional representation for Vancouver. Please note that implementing single member wards first (elected by first-past-the-post) and then advocating for PR in future – the proposal outlined below – is not a path supported by Fair Vote Vancouver. 

VOTE Socialist

VOTE Socialist’s platform about electoral reform:

Policy Goal

To increase electoral and civic participation, and reform electoral systems for improved fairness.

Work towards expanding democratic and proportional representation at City Hall in consultation with electoral reform advocates.

Vision Vancouver

There is nothing in Vision Vancouver’s platform about electoral reform. 

Affordable Housing Coalition

There is nothing in the Affordable Housing Coalition’s platform about electoral reform.

Progress Vancouver

There is nothing in Progress Vancouver’s platform about electoral reform. Mark is the only mayoral candidate running with a party who supports proportional representation. However, he is also calling for a referendum, which is not supported by Fair Vote Vancouver.

Forward Together Vancouver

There is nothing in Forward Togeter Vancouver’s platform about electoral reform.

TEAM for a Livable Vancouver

Independents