Overview
- Council voted to put two non-binding plebiscite questions on the October municipal ballot asking voters to weigh in on public hard-drug use rules and on asking the province to create a secure medical facility with at least 100 involuntary treatment beds.
- The first question seeks public backing for stronger bylaws prohibiting open-air hard-drug use in public spaces and the second asks whether Vancouver should formally request a provincially run secure facility offering involuntary treatment beds.
- Mayor Ken Sim and ABC councillors supported placing the questions on the ballot, Coun. Lucy Maloney opposed the move, and Councillors Pete Fry, Sean Orr and Rebecca Bligh took part in debate but were absent for the final vote.
- Proponents say a public vote will give the city a clearer mandate to press the provincial government for action, while opponents call the plebiscite political theatre and warn it could stigmatize vulnerable people and harm cooperation with Victoria.
- The plebiscite is non-binding and cannot create beds or force provincial action because health services and funding are controlled by the province, but a vote could shape council advocacy, campaign messaging and intergovernmental negotiations after October.