I spoke with Dr. Julian Somers about the Four Pillars approach and how we’ve moved away from it in B.C. — and the damage that has caused on our streets.
Dr. Somers spoke about the importance of getting back to two critical pillars: prevention and recovery. The evidence shows that focusing on prevention, particularly for young people, and providing a real pathway to treatment and recovery when people fall into addiction can help prevent much of the harm we’re seeing today.
Compassion means care, not abandonment. Harm reduction alone is not enough. We need an approach that brings prevention, treatment, recovery and public safety back together.
Your ABC Vancouver team will continue fighting for evidence-based drug policies that help our most vulnerable while keeping our streets and communities safe.
#abcvancouver #publicsafety #affordability
Hi, I’m Lorraine Lowe. Public safety and affordability aren’t just political issues to me — they’re personal.
I grew up working in my immigrant family’s small business, learning the value of hard work and what it takes to build a life in Vancouver.
Through my leadership roles at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, and my service on the Vancouver Police Board, I’ve also seen our city from many different perspectives — including firsthand the impact that crime and street disorder can have on residents, businesses and entire communities.
I also know the difference the right intervention can make. A VPD school liaison officer helped change the direction of my own life when I was a teenager.
Those experiences are why I’m running: to give back to the city that gave my family so much and help make Vancouver safer and more affordable for the next generation.
On October 17, elect Lorraine Lowe for Vancouver City Council.
Hi, I’m Lorraine Lowe. Public safety and affordability aren’t just political issues to me — they’re personal.
I grew up working in my immigrant family’s small business, learning the value of hard work and what it takes to build a life in Vancouver.
Through my leadership roles at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, and my service on the Vancouver Police Board, I’ve also seen our city from many different perspectives — including firsthand the impact that crime and street disorder can have on residents, businesses and entire communities.
I also know the difference the right intervention can make. A VPD school liaison officer helped change the direction of my own life when I was a teenager.
Those experiences are why I’m running: to give back to the city that gave my family so much and help make Vancouver safer and more affordable for the next generation.
On October 17, elect Lorraine Lowe for Vancouver City Council.
I’m Lorraine Lowe, and I’m proud to be running for Vancouver City Council with Mayor Ken Sim and ABC Vancouver.
My family’s story in Vancouver goes back generations, and I’ve spent my career working in our civic and cultural spaces, including at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and the HR Macmillan Space Centre
I’ve seen firsthand what street disorder, violent crime and failed drug policies have done to our neighbourhoods. Public safety isn’t theoretical for me — it’s personal.
I’m also a mom of two teenagers. I want them—and every family—to be able to build a life in Vancouver that is safe, affordable and full of opportunity.
We’ve made progress, but there’s much more to do. I’m running to keep Vancouver safe, affordable and moving forward.
I’d be honoured to earn your support this October.
On October 17, elect Lorraine Lowe for Vancouver City Council
I spoke with Denise Meikle of Solan Origins, who shared how heartbreaking it is to face an impossible choice every day: whether to help someone in crisis on the street or be there for the clients who have entrusted her with their time and care.
Sadly, I hear stories like Denise’s all the time—especially from residents and business owners in neighbourhoods most affected by provincially run SROs and drug consumption sites.
To everyone across Vancouver: we hear you. We understand your concerns, and we’re committed to doing everything we can to restore safety and stability to our communities.
At the same time, we’ll continue calling on the Province to embrace compassionate intervention, expand treatment and recovery, and ensure that people struggling with addiction and mental illness receive the help they need to rebuild their lives.
Your ABC Vancouver team is committed to keeping Vancouver safe, affordable, and focused on helping both our communities and our most vulnerable residents.
#abcvancouver #publicsafety #affordability
Before serving on Vancouver City Council, I spent more than 15 years in healthcare, improving hospital operations and patient care. That experience shaped my practical, evidence-based approach to solving some of our city's biggest challenges.
For years, I've also been one of Vancouver's leading advocates for evidence-based public safety and recovery-focused drug policy. I've worked alongside researchers, physicians, frontline professionals, residents, and businesses to push for practical solutions that help people recover while making our streets safer for everyone.
Over the past four years, I've worked to accelerate housing approvals, cut unnecessary red tape, strengthen public safety, improve pedestrian safety, support local businesses, invest in Chinatown, and ensure residents' voices are heard at City Hall.
But our work isn't finished.
This election is about continuing the progress we've made—not going backward. I'll keep fighting for safer streets, compassionate recovery, more housing, and practical solutions that put the wellbeing of both vulnerable people and our communities first.
I'm proud to be part of Mayor Ken Sim's ABC Vancouver team. Together, we're committed to keeping Vancouver safe and affordable while focusing on the core services that matter most to you. I'd be honoured to earn your support once again.
#ABCVancouver #PublicSafety #Affordability
Ken Sim and your ABC Vancouver team are committed to delivering a safe, affordable city while investing in the core services that matter most to you.
After decades of neglect, we're making a record $104 million investment to repair and upgrade roads and sidewalks across Vancouver.
Let's keep Vancouver safe, affordable, and focused on the services that matter most to you.
#ABCVancouver #PublicSafety #Affordability
I spoke with local small business owner and mother Matte about what she wants to see over the next four years.
Like so many Vancouver families, public safety is her top priority. We also talked about the importance of bail reform and ensuring that when Vancouver Police make an arrest, there are strong provincial and federal laws to keep repeat violent offenders off our streets.
We’re encouraged by the recent federal bail reform changes, which we pushed for. But there’s still more work to do. We’ll continue calling on the Province to change dangerous drug policies and deliver the treatment, recovery, and accountability needed to keep our communities safe.
Your ABC Vancouver team is committed to making Vancouver safe and affordable, so you can feel safe living, working, and raising a family in our city.
#ABCVancouver #PublicSafety #affordability
Great to be out at the Vancouver Pride Parade once again with so many amazing friends and community organizations that do so much to make Vancouver such a welcoming and vibrant city.
Thank you, Vancouver, for another incredible Pride. Happy Pride!
#VancouverPride#VanPride2026 #abcvancouver
What an incredible evening. It was wonderful to see families, friends, and visitors filling our waterfront to enjoy one of Vancouver's great summer traditions.
The show was made even more special by celebrating some of the defining moments in our city's history, with music inspired by Expo 86, the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, and the World Cup.
When the Celebration of Light was cancelled, your ABC Vancouver team believed Vancouver couldn't afford to lose one of its few free, family-friendly summer events.
We brought forward a plan to ensure this tradition continued, supporting local businesses, bringing people together, and celebrating everything that makes our city special.
The motion passed with the support of the ABC Vancouver team. Councillors Pete Fry, Sean Orr, and Lucy Maloney voted against it, while Councillor Rebecca Bligh was absent.
The incredible turnout—and the smiles on the faces of thousands of Vancouverites—speak for themselves.
Your ABC Vancouver team is committed to keeping Vancouver safe and affordable while investing in the public spaces, community events, and core services that matter most to you.
Thank you to @darko_stan for capturing this incredible footage and the amazing video..
#ABCVancouver #PublicSafety #Affordability #Fireworks
Granville Street is showing what's possible when we invest in both safety and vibrant public spaces.
Thanks to the success of the pedestrian zone, more people are enjoying downtown, local businesses are seeing a boost, and families and residents are rediscovering one of Vancouver's most iconic streets.
Now it's time to build on that success with a long-term vision that creates welcoming public spaces, supports local businesses, and makes downtown an even better place to live, work, and visit.
None of these great spaces would be possible without streets where you feel safe.
Your ABC Vancouver team is committed to keeping Vancouver safe and affordable while investing in the public spaces and core services that matter most to you.
#ABCVancouver #PublicSafety #Affordability
Ken Sim and your ABC Vancouver team are committed to delivering a safe, affordable city while investing in the core services that matter most to you.
That's why we're making a historic $400 million investment to renew and rebuild community centres across Vancouver while continuing to invest in the parks and public spaces that bring our neighbourhoods together.
Let's keep Vancouver safe, affordable, and focused on the services that matter most to you.
#ABCVancouver #PublicSafety #Affordability
For years, British Columbia expanded drug consumption sites while overdose deaths continued to soar.
Now, evidence from across Canada demonstrates the dangerous consequences of this approach.
Dr. Julian Somers shows us how in Canadian jurisdictions that have closed consumption sites while expanding recovery and treatment services, deaths have declined greatly.
In Alberta, research found that when a consumption site closed and recovery supports increased, overdose deaths declined while more people entered treatment.
In Ontario, nine publicly funded consumption sites transitioned to recovery-focused services.
In the months that followed, Toronto recorded 41% fewer overdose deaths than during the same period the previous year.
Here in British Columbia, overdose deaths have also declined from the record highs seen during the pandemic, including following the closure of the 1060 Howe Street overdose prevention site.
More and more evidence points toward a recovery-focused approach that helps people rebuild their lives—not simply maintain addiction.
Watch Dr. Julian Somers discuss why it’s time to rethink our approach.
Your ABC Vancouver team is going to keep fighting for the right approaches to addiction and recovery that don’t leave people suffering where they are.
We will stand with Vancouver residents who are telling us they want a safe and affordable city.
#abcvancouver #publicsafety #affordability
Serving as your Vancouver City Councillor over the past four years has been a tremendous honour.
As a downtown resident, I've seen firsthand both the challenges our city has faced and the progress we've made together. Working alongside Mayor Ken Sim and the ABC Vancouver team, we've stood up for public safety, fought to get people the help they need, supported local businesses, invested in the services people rely on, lowered taxes, and worked to make Vancouver more affordable and filled with public spaces you can enjoy.
But there's still more work to do.
This election is about protecting the progress we've made and continuing to build a city that is safe, affordable, and focused on the basics.
I'm committed to keeping listening to you, standing up for our neighbourhoods, and ensuring City Hall continues to deliver practical results that make a difference in your life - not politics.
We can't afford to go backward.
Together, let's keep Vancouver safe, affordable, and moving forward. I'd be honoured to earn your support again this fall.
#ABCVancouver #PublicSafety #Affordability #vanpoli #vancouver
What you do with your home should be your choice.
Your ABC Vancouver team has listened to residents and directed staff to cancel the proposed Villages Plan after concerns were raised about mandatory zoning in some neighbourhoods.
We believe Vancouver needs more housing—but it must be done thoughtfully. That means adding homes where they make sense while respecting existing neighbourhoods and the people who have worked hard and invested their lives into their homes.
No homeowner should feel that City Hall is deciding the future of their property without their voice being heard.
We heard your concerns loud and clear and have directed staff to stop and end the plan immediately.
Our goal is simple: build more housing, protect property rights, and keep Vancouver a city of diverse neighbourhoods—not one-size-fits-all development.
Your ABC Vancouver team remains committed to making Vancouver safe, affordable, and a great place to call home.
#abcvancouver #publicsafety #affordability
Serving as your Vancouver City Councillor has been one of the greatest honours of my life.
I was born and raised in Vancouver, and I care deeply about this city and the people who call it home. Over the past four years, I've had the privilege of working alongside Mayor Ken Sim and the ABC Vancouver team to make our streets safer, support local businesses, invest in families, and bring greater accountability to how your tax dollars are spent.
But the job isn't finished.
This election is about protecting the progress we've made and continuing to build a city that is safer, more affordable, and focused on the basics. I'm committed to keeping taxes low, supporting local businesses, strengthening neighbourhoods, and ensuring City Hall delivers practical results—not politics.
We can't afford to go backward. Together, let's keep Vancouver safe, affordable, and moving forward. I'd be honoured to earn your support.
#ABCVancouver #PublicSafety #Affordability #mikeklassen
Gastown resident Michelle shared with Mayor Ken Sim why she's optimistic about the future of her neighbourhood.
Having moved to Gastown just before your ABC Vancouver team was elected, Michelle has seen firsthand the progress that's been made over the last four years. From cleaner streets and improved public safety to new investment and renewed energy, she believes Gastown is moving in the right direction.
She also spoke about the importance of continuing that momentum. There's still more work to do, but she doesn't want to see Vancouver go back to the challenges of the past.
ABC Vancouver is committed to continuing the work of making Vancouver safe and affordable, supporting vibrant neighbourhoods, and ensuring communities like Gastown continue to thrive.
#abcvancouver #publicsafety #affordability
Award-winning Salon Origins owner Denise Meikle shared with Mayor Ken Sim the reality of operating a business next to a drug consumption site.
Denise spoke about the impact on her clients, her staff, and even her suppliers—many of whom became hesitant to come into the neighbourhood because of ongoing safety concerns.
She also shared the personal toll it takes. Running a business in the midst of ongoing disorder wasn’t just hard financially—it was emotionally exhausting. No small business owner should have to carry that burden simply for opening their doors each day.
Businesses shouldn’t have to worry about whether customers, employees, suppliers, or contractors feel safe coming to work.
ABC Vancouver will continue to stand up for Vancouver residents and small businesses by opposing the Province’s failed drug policies and fighting for safer streets, real treatment, and neighbourhoods where people and businesses can thrive.
#abcvancouver #publicsafety #affordability
Vancouver deserves a Park Board that works for Vancouverites.
An ABC majority will deliver safe parks, new community centres, free swimming lessons, affordable recreation, and public pools that are accessible for everyone.
Residents shouldn't have to deal with outdated COVID-era restrictions just to enjoy a public pool. It's time for a Park Board focused on common sense, accessibility, and delivering results.
It's time to deliver the world-class, clean, safe parks and recreation facilities Vancouverites deserve.
#abcvancouver #publicsafety #affordability