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kwardvancouver.bsky.social
karen ward
@kwardvancouver.bsky.social
3K followers 880 following 9.3K posts
once called « Canada's only public intellectual »

drug policy researcher & advisor ⁕ historian ⁕ artist ⁕ schemer ⁕ disorganizer

institute for the history of possible futures

https://free-futures-society.org/
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kwardvancouver.bsky.social
the solution to systemic violence is systemic change
Solutions? No solutions ONLY POLICE
November 11, 2025 at 6:36 AM
kwardvancouver.bsky.social
the city’s investment income in 2026 is projected to decrease by 23%

why is that.
The city’s investment income decreased by 23%
November 11, 2025 at 5:59 AM
kwardvancouver.bsky.social
according to the proposed budget, Vancouver’s climate plan is police
Table of city revenues and expenditures by department comparing % +/- vs 2025 Police +10 Arts, culture and community services -12 Planning, urban design and sustainability -14
November 11, 2025 at 5:51 AM
kwardvancouver.bsky.social
the recklessness of this budget proposal cannot be overstated. this is the future being constructed

Look at the lines with double-digit negative percentages.

cc @brenttoderian.bsky.social

vancouver.ca/files/cov/pr...
budget by department with % +/- comparison to 2025
November 11, 2025 at 3:40 AM
kwardvancouver.bsky.social
we have police instead of housing.

Municipal Spending on Police Services per Capita and Proportionsrd of Municipal Gross Budgets Allocated to Police Services, 2019.
Figure 1: Municipal Spending on Police Services per Capita and Proportions of Municipal Gross Budgets Allocated to Police Services, 2019. Note: Per capita spending data has been adjusted for inflation (2020 Canadian dollars).
November 10, 2025 at 10:38 PM
kwardvancouver.bsky.social
there’s so much about the 2026 budget proposal that sucks but the fact that it’s premised on NOT increasing the city’s primary source of revenue is a level of sucks hitherto unknown

vancouver.ca/files/cov/pr...
2026 Operating revenue ($2,393M) 56% | Property Tax 21% | Utility Fees 6% | Licence & Development Fees 4% | Program Fees 4% | Parking 2% | Cost Recoveries, Grants & Donations 2% | Other Revenue 2% | Government Transfer 2% | Investment Income 2% | Bylaw Fines
November 10, 2025 at 9:02 PM
kwardvancouver.bsky.social
hey what happened to defunding the police? Its not even on this list of options
Preferred options to balance budget To balance the budget, residents would prefer the City continue to offer the same services but not to the same level, for example reduced hours (39%), followed by an increase in business property taxes (32%). Businesses also prioritize continuing to offer the same services but not to the same level, for example reduced hours (43%). However, they disagree with residents on the next best option, with 32% selecting an increase in user fees for City services that currently have fees
November 10, 2025 at 7:22 PM
kwardvancouver.bsky.social
a lot of people selected “other“ and want their city to address economic inequality

tax the rich, the people said.
Other Comments/Suggestions for 2026 Budget – Top Five Mentions • The survey concluded with an opportunity for respondents to offer other comments or suggestions regarding the 2026 Budget. The following includes coded open-ended comments (with example verbatims) from residents and businesses that completed this survey question. • Both residents and businesses focus on the importance of maintaining existing services and suggest progressive taxation, with increasing taxes for the wealthy. They also emphasize the importance of addressing the housing crisis and re-evaluating the policing budget Residents: 1 Do not cut services (26%) Increase taxes (for the 2 wealthy/corporations) (26%) 3 Address housing issues (22%) 4 Decrease the police budget (21%) 5 increase property tax/user fees (16%) Businesses (n=255) 1 Increase taxes (for the wealthy/corporations) (25%) 2 Do not cut services (24%) 3 Address housing issues (23%) 4 Decrease the police budget Tax the wealthy. Don’t cut budget allocated for public services. These are the foundations for a healthy and functioning society. Affordable housing above all. Redistribute some of the police budget into city services. Continuing to simplify and streamline processes within the City and in how projects are planned and delivered... Vancouver is an extremely unaffordable city to live in. (21%) Increase property taxes/fees (23%) Streamline City 5 (14%) Base: Those answering 5 services/departments (12%) 5 Reduce cost of living (12%)
November 10, 2025 at 6:31 PM
kwardvancouver.bsky.social
defunding the police has more support than a 0% property tax increase among participants of the city’s budget survey

fund the city, the people said.
Top Five Suggestions for City Programs or Services to Reduce or Stop • Respondents who indicated they would support continuing to offer the same services but not at the same level or stopping some services, were asked a follow up question about which services they would consider this for. The following includes coded open-ended comments from residents and businesses that completed this survey question. • Feedback indicates a focus on changes to municipal operations that include reductions in City staff and streamlining services and departments. • Both groups also suggest decreasing the policing budget, improving fiscal management and reducing services and supports related to substance use 1 Police budget (14%) 2 City staff (14%) 3 City spending (13%) 4 Housing supports/ homelessness services (12%) 5 Services and supports related to substance use (11%) Base: Those answering Quotes: Stop funding the policy so heavily. Reducing City management staff. Reducing general staff at the City. Prioritize within the limits of the budget and not extend the budget. Low-income housing and supports to the homeless population. Safe drugs and injection sites should not be funded by taxpayers. usinesses (n=205) 1 City efficiencies (15%) 2 City spending (14%) 3 Police budget (14%) 4 Services and supports related to substance use (13%) 5 City staff (12%) Quotes: Why have you not looked at alternate more cost-effective service delivery rather than charge more? Cut the City of Vancouver budget instead of keep spending and ask for more property tax. Less funding to the Vancouver Police Department. Harm reduction services subsidized by the City; these are failing... Reduction in city workforce to right size the human resources.
November 10, 2025 at 6:10 PM
kwardvancouver.bsky.social
42% of residents and 37% of businesses surveyed supported a 5% property tax increase in order to maintain the current level of services in the city of Vancouver

but wait there’s more

a lot more

1/?

council.vancouver.ca/20251112/doc...
Preferred Property Tax Scenarios (based on June 2025 direction) • Residents and businesses were asked about their preferences for property tax increases relative to service levels (reflecting 2026 Budget scenarios staff were directed to explore in June 2025). • Most respondents are supportive of some increase in property tax. Of the options presented, the most preferred was a “property tax increase of 5% that maintains the current level of City services” (42% residents, 37% businesses). • On October 8, 2025, Council provided direction for staff to move forward and prepare the 2026 Budget with a 0% property tax increase, while prioritizing core City services and maintaining community grants, library and community centre services. This direction is different than the budget scenarios suggested in 2026 Budget survey ey question preamble: “The City continues to face significant financial pressures related to overall rising costs, regional levies from Metro Vancouver and E-Comm 9-1-1, among many factors. As mentioned, property tax increases are one financial tool that the City can use to help address rising costs, balance the budget and maintain service levels. For the City to continue providing the same level of services, analysis by staff showed a 5% increase in property taxes would be needed due to cost pressures. In an effort to address affordability for residents and businesses, City Council asked staff to create three budget scenarios based on 0%, 1.5%, and 2.5% property tax increases. Property taxes are the City’s main source of revenue and help fund the services people rely on. For that reason, decisions about property tax rates and service levels are considered together during the budget process.”
November 10, 2025 at 5:25 PM
kwardvancouver.bsky.social
“Last updated June 23, 2025”

oh cool and awesome and not at all WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON HERE and you got to read this content-free page titled “Municipal Police Boards”

throughout the province

@stephenharrison.bsky.social
@jameswsthomson.com

www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/...
Note: The B.C. Police Board Handbook (2015) is currently under review for updates to comply with the Police Amendment Act, 2024.
November 10, 2025 at 5:01 AM
kwardvancouver.bsky.social
one of my very favourite places in Vancouver

@power1312.bsky.social

@andreareimer.bsky.social
Photo through the window of the Power Station at Main & Union in Vancouver. number 3 reflected
November 9, 2025 at 5:46 AM
kwardvancouver.bsky.social
#Vancouver
white sticker on a Vancouver street pole: John Brown and an anarchy symbol “I cannot remember a night so dark as to have hindered the coming day.” Anarchistnetwork.info
November 8, 2025 at 11:29 PM
kwardvancouver.bsky.social
Sturko didn't “stand her ground,” she continued lying despite the judge's ruling.

the ghoul
One of the politicians who led the public outcry against DULF, former BC United and current Independent MLA Elenore Sturko, was in court to hear the verdict on Friday. When asked by PressProgress for comment about Murray’s allusion to “backbench politicians” and conclusion that public money was not used to buy drugs, contrary to what she has claimed in the past, Sturko stood her ground. “All I heard was a judgment that I think raises questions about funding that was provided by the government,” she said. “It’s disappointing that if the government was going to give money, that they weren’t more clear with these two individuals exactly what was exempt in their activity and what was not.”
November 7, 2025 at 11:47 PM
kwardvancouver.bsky.social
“A spokesperson for Mayor Ken Sim said the mayor has no role in writing the party’s materials.”
ABC Vancouver tweet ABC's historic investments in public safety are delivering results for Vancouver residents Vancouver has recorded it's lowest violent crime rate in 23 years, with incidents dropping from 1,342 cases in the first quarter of 2024 to 1,192 in the first quarter of 2025 etc Fact Sheet – Public Safety Stats from Task Force Barrage VPD Stats *February 13 to August 12, 2025 compared to same period in 2024. Highlights Vancouver records 23-year low in violent crime dropping from 1,342 cases in Q1 2024 to 1,192 in Q1 2025 (lowest since records began in 2002). Total violent crime down 18%. Robberies down 44%. Serious assaults down 23%. Property Crime Trends Break and enter for businesses is down 22%. Break and enter for residential is down 38%. Impact 1,458 weapons seized. 645 drug seizures. 879 warrant arrests. Surrounding Neighbourhood Impact Gastown violent crime is down 9%. Chinatown violent crime is down 18% and robberies are down 52%. Strathcona violent crime is down 14% and robbery is down 34%. VFRS Stats *February 13 to August 31, 2025 compared to same period in 2024.
November 7, 2025 at 6:45 PM
kwardvancouver.bsky.social
but someone designed this and printed it on the large format printer and mounted it on foamcore and the tripod and then all the lying
a sign on a tripod at city hall reading [big arrow pointing down] LOWEST VIOLENT CRIME RATE in 23 years
November 7, 2025 at 2:48 PM
kwardvancouver.bsky.social
we need to discuss drug prohibition

cc @drugdatadecoded.ca
@nurseranger.bsky.social
illicit promoting or selling potentially illicit goods, services, or activities
November 7, 2025 at 1:26 PM
kwardvancouver.bsky.social
the National Police Federation is the RCMP 'union'

police need more police, police say

app.polidashboard.org/meta_ads?cou...
ad spending stats for National Police Federation 219 total ads $124.8k - $168.6k total ad spend 16.38M+ total impressions
November 7, 2025 at 12:56 PM
kwardvancouver.bsky.social
fucken centrists
two buttons: kill them OR let them die
November 7, 2025 at 12:29 PM
kwardvancouver.bsky.social
solutions? no solutions ONLY POLICE
November 7, 2025 at 1:07 AM
kwardvancouver.bsky.social
the police are defunding us
Vancouver police department budget since Ken Sim became mayor 2022: 349.6M 2023: 382..6M 2024: 429.3 2025: 447.1 2026:497.1
November 6, 2025 at 10:41 PM
kwardvancouver.bsky.social
this is fine meme with the dog saying "This is a generational investment budget — a confident Canada taking control of its future"
November 4, 2025 at 10:39 PM
kwardvancouver.bsky.social
the liberal "climate caucus" had better be former liberals tomorrow
The government also lays out a path to do away with the proposed Trudeau-era emissions cap that was loathed by the energy sector and some leaders in Western Canada. While both changes could prove controversial, the intent is to help more homegrown workers get a job and unleash an oil and gas sector that could deliver outsized returns.
November 4, 2025 at 9:14 PM
kwardvancouver.bsky.social
the ADJUSTED BUDGET has not been approved; details in replies.

its all unlawful and council is OBLIGATED to reject it.

and they know it.

#vanpoli
The Vancouver Police Department will be recommending a 2026 budget just shy of half a billion dollars. The board met Monday and approved a proposed operating budget for 2026 of $497,111,657, which represents an increase of $22,126,087 or 4.9 per cent over the adjusted 2025 budget. The adjusted budget includes $17 million in spending beyond what was initially approved by council.
November 4, 2025 at 7:41 AM
kwardvancouver.bsky.social
what if we tried
solutions? no solutions ONLY POLICE
November 4, 2025 at 5:57 AM