Vancouver residents are divided on whether to keep Mayor Ken Sim and his ABC party in power, reveals a recent survey by Research Co., just months before the upcoming municipal election. The survey, conducted among 401 adults in the city, delved into opinions on Sim’s leadership, his party’s policies, and the need for progressive representation on the city council.
Findings showed that 27% of respondents support the idea of Ken Sim and his party continuing in office, acknowledging their efforts despite not getting everything right. On the other hand, 32% expressed dissatisfaction with the party’s performance, desiring a change in leadership while maintaining existing policies. Meanwhile, 27% believed it was time for new leadership and fresh ideas due to the perceived ineffectiveness of the current policies.
President of Research Co., Mario Canseco, pointed out that appealing to these dissatisfied voters could be crucial for the outcome of the next election. He emphasized the importance of connecting with various voter groups, mentioning candidates like Pete Fry, Kareem Allam, and Rebecca Bligh as potential contenders in the race.
Moreover, a significant majority (59%) of respondents expressed the need for a mayor and city council akin to New York’s Zohran Mamdani. Mamdani’s groundbreaking election as the city’s first Muslim mayor and youngest in over a century left a mark, with his focus on introducing major changes to improve affordability, even if it challenges the status quo.
Comparing the recent high turnout in New York’s mayoral elections to Vancouver’s declining voter participation since 2014, Canseco highlighted the importance of attracting new voters through fresh ideas. He emphasized Mamdani’s success in engaging overlooked groups like renters and newcomers to the city, hinting that a similar approach could be beneficial in Vancouver’s upcoming election.
As Vancouver gears up for the municipal election scheduled for October 17, Canseco predicts that topics like affordability and housing will dominate the discourse, shaping voter decisions on the future leadership of the city.