Vyas Saran
@vyas.bsky.social
Labour, human rights and elections lawyer in Vancouver. Opinions expressed are mine.
Reposted by Vyas Saran
when you hear city councillors like @lisadominato.bsky.social say that this budget reduces the financial pressure on seniors, people with disabilities, and families — remember all of those people can defer their property taxes indefinitely. this is a bad argument I hear too often.
approved despite over 600 speakers signing up to speak to the budget, with all but a tiny number strongly opposed, and following a public engagement survey that found the majority of respondents supported a property tax increase to avoid cuts.
Vancouver's 2026 draft budget has PASSED.
Approved on a 7-4 vote on party lines, with ABC in favour and councillors Fry/Bligh/Orr/Maloney opposed.
Property tax freeze, $50 million more for VPD, and cuts to Arts, Culture, Planning and Sustainability departments, among others.
Full story to come.
Approved on a 7-4 vote on party lines, with ABC in favour and councillors Fry/Bligh/Orr/Maloney opposed.
Property tax freeze, $50 million more for VPD, and cuts to Arts, Culture, Planning and Sustainability departments, among others.
Full story to come.
November 25, 2025 at 10:47 PM
when you hear city councillors like @lisadominato.bsky.social say that this budget reduces the financial pressure on seniors, people with disabilities, and families — remember all of those people can defer their property taxes indefinitely. this is a bad argument I hear too often.
ABC councillor zhao just said that relying on the 600+ community members speaking out against the ABC budget would be unacceptable and “colonial” because most of them spoke in english. unbelievable.
November 25, 2025 at 9:49 PM
ABC councillor zhao just said that relying on the 600+ community members speaking out against the ABC budget would be unacceptable and “colonial” because most of them spoke in english. unbelievable.
Sean Orr voting no: “This is the most opposed [City] budget in history”
November 25, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Sean Orr voting no: “This is the most opposed [City] budget in history”
VPD’s councillor montague goes after opposition councillors for trying to use negate property tax increases as an “ATM”. the VPD has been using property tax revenue as an ATM to the tune of nearly half a billion dollars.
November 25, 2025 at 9:32 PM
VPD’s councillor montague goes after opposition councillors for trying to use negate property tax increases as an “ATM”. the VPD has been using property tax revenue as an ATM to the tune of nearly half a billion dollars.
ABC getting rid of baby change tables due to vandalism. Are we demolishing buildings because of the graffiti. What are we fucking doing here.
November 25, 2025 at 7:03 PM
ABC getting rid of baby change tables due to vandalism. Are we demolishing buildings because of the graffiti. What are we fucking doing here.
adam friedland interviews too many obscure rappers
November 24, 2025 at 11:46 PM
adam friedland interviews too many obscure rappers
Reposted by Vyas Saran
The Cowichan hysteria keeps getting dumber. Now cities are coming out to make statements about old land claims - if the news is going to cover it, they should mention it's been on the First Nation's website for nearly a decade. It's not some big secret. 1/2 globalnews.ca/news/1153572...
Kwikwetlem First Nation filed a land claim in 2016 including the Riverview lands | Globalnews.ca
The land in question covers several publicly-owned parcels in Port Coquitlam and Coquitlam, including the Riverview lands, but not private properties.
globalnews.ca
November 23, 2025 at 10:25 PM
The Cowichan hysteria keeps getting dumber. Now cities are coming out to make statements about old land claims - if the news is going to cover it, they should mention it's been on the First Nation's website for nearly a decade. It's not some big secret. 1/2 globalnews.ca/news/1153572...
the last time i saw hockey at pacific coliseum evander kane was good
November 22, 2025 at 2:56 AM
the last time i saw hockey at pacific coliseum evander kane was good
Reposted by Vyas Saran
Pretty proud of this one
NEW: Vancouver city councillor @seanorr.bsky.social proposes giving renters the first chance to buy their buildings
dailyhive.com/vancouver/va...
#vanpoli #HomesForAll
dailyhive.com/vancouver/va...
#vanpoli #HomesForAll
Vancouver city councillor wants renters to get first bid on their buildings | Urbanized
COPE Vancouver city councillor Sean Orr wants to give renters a legal chance to buy their own buildings before investors can swoop in.
dailyhive.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Pretty proud of this one
it’s a shame hugo chavez died because i think he’d have trump in a red beret by the end of a first meeting
Trump on Mamdani: "I think he's gonna surprise some conservative people, actually. And some very liberal people he won't surprise because they already like him."
November 21, 2025 at 9:36 PM
it’s a shame hugo chavez died because i think he’d have trump in a red beret by the end of a first meeting
Reposted by Vyas Saran
Q: Are you affirming that you think President Trump is a fascist?
MAMDANI: I've spoken about--
TRUMP: That's okay. You can just say yes. I don't mind.
MAMDANI: I've spoken about--
TRUMP: That's okay. You can just say yes. I don't mind.
November 21, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Q: Are you affirming that you think President Trump is a fascist?
MAMDANI: I've spoken about--
TRUMP: That's okay. You can just say yes. I don't mind.
MAMDANI: I've spoken about--
TRUMP: That's okay. You can just say yes. I don't mind.
Reposted by Vyas Saran
Vancouver's last all-night drop in centre for street-based sex workers is facing an uncertain future as the city considers changing how its funded.
If the KCS closed there would be no other drop in centres for sex workers, anywhere in the city. That's dangerous.
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
If the KCS closed there would be no other drop in centres for sex workers, anywhere in the city. That's dangerous.
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
Vancouver’s Last Sex Worker Drop-In Centre May Shutter in Spring | The Tyee
The city is changing how it funds Kingsway Community Station. That’s ‘dangerous,’ its program director says.
thetyee.ca
November 21, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Vancouver's last all-night drop in centre for street-based sex workers is facing an uncertain future as the city considers changing how its funded.
If the KCS closed there would be no other drop in centres for sex workers, anywhere in the city. That's dangerous.
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
If the KCS closed there would be no other drop in centres for sex workers, anywhere in the city. That's dangerous.
thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
it’s actually to build him a tunnel to escape the province
B.C’s Opposition Conservatives have been talking with Alberta about pipeline: Rustad
B.C’s Opposition Conservatives have been talking with Alberta about pipeline: Rustad
The leader of British Columbia’s Official Opposition says his party has been talking with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith about her plans to build a pipeline to B.C.’s northern coast.
bit.ly
November 21, 2025 at 5:29 AM
it’s actually to build him a tunnel to escape the province
no fund city
dying listening to @mikeklassen.bsky.social say that @seanorr.bsky.social picture of the city will be "no fun". No fun as in, public services funded and public infrastructure maintained? www.youtube.com/watch?v=HayF...
3 councillors butt heads over contentious Vancouver city budget
YouTube video by CBC British Columbia
www.youtube.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:38 PM
no fund city
Reposted by Vyas Saran
Health Canada convened an independent expert advisory group in 2020 to provide guidance on safer supply. Health Canada heavily redacted its final report, but unredacted version obtained by CBC shows the expert group said drug crisis is driven by prohibition and recommended expansion of safer supply
November 16, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Health Canada convened an independent expert advisory group in 2020 to provide guidance on safer supply. Health Canada heavily redacted its final report, but unredacted version obtained by CBC shows the expert group said drug crisis is driven by prohibition and recommended expansion of safer supply
very impressed by COPE Councillor Orr for reporting summaries of every speaker for this budget, and actually staying until the end unlike most ABC councillors
my crude count is there were less than 10 in favour, roughly 260 opposed, with around 330 more speakers to go.
my crude count is there were less than 10 in favour, roughly 260 opposed, with around 330 more speakers to go.
269: in favour. Tune out noise if fear mongers who say sky is falling. This is not drastic cuts to budget. Wants full budget transparency. Heard about services but don’t know what a necessary sevice is. Scope creep.
November 13, 2025 at 6:03 AM
very impressed by COPE Councillor Orr for reporting summaries of every speaker for this budget, and actually staying until the end unlike most ABC councillors
my crude count is there were less than 10 in favour, roughly 260 opposed, with around 330 more speakers to go.
my crude count is there were less than 10 in favour, roughly 260 opposed, with around 330 more speakers to go.
Reposted by Vyas Saran
HALF OUR GRANT GOES BACK TO THE CITY IN POLICE COSTS
— Vancouver Folk Festival
— Vancouver Folk Festival
246: folk fest president. Advocating for increased funding for arts. Arts is a necessity. Festivals under threat. Many have folded. We bring in millions of dollars to economy. We bring joy in world of despair. Half of our grants just go back to city in police costs.
November 13, 2025 at 5:27 AM
HALF OUR GRANT GOES BACK TO THE CITY IN POLICE COSTS
— Vancouver Folk Festival
— Vancouver Folk Festival
Reposted by Vyas Saran
We can do better. We need to be more transparent. I pass the mic. 235: David chudnovsky (former COPE guy and MLA). I know about governance and budgets.,short term pain does not lead to long term gain. Today’s housing crisis was caused by what we were told was short term pain. We are still paying
November 13, 2025 at 5:07 AM
We can do better. We need to be more transparent. I pass the mic. 235: David chudnovsky (former COPE guy and MLA). I know about governance and budgets.,short term pain does not lead to long term gain. Today’s housing crisis was caused by what we were told was short term pain. We are still paying
Reposted by Vyas Saran
Austerity budgets are always about short-term gains, and long term losses. Vancouver's City Council is voting on a budget that will save little and cost the city much. stewartprest.substack.com/p/vancouver-...
Vancouver Goes Small
The city risks big new problems with its proposed turn to austerity
stewartprest.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Austerity budgets are always about short-term gains, and long term losses. Vancouver's City Council is voting on a budget that will save little and cost the city much. stewartprest.substack.com/p/vancouver-...
Reposted by Vyas Saran
197: jane shi. Poet writer and organizer. TW. Was abused by my parents and tried suicide. Full circle moment was when she presented at local library. Cops kill disabled autistic people like me. Brian scoffs. Several community leaders have billed themselves. Blatant disregard for people.
November 13, 2025 at 4:21 AM
197: jane shi. Poet writer and organizer. TW. Was abused by my parents and tried suicide. Full circle moment was when she presented at local library. Cops kill disabled autistic people like me. Brian scoffs. Several community leaders have billed themselves. Blatant disregard for people.
Reposted by Vyas Saran
152: clear majority want a property tax increase. Our services shouldn’t degrade to cater to a small subset of the population. Already have one of the lowest tax rates in North America. This is just 16 cents per 100k in property value. So many own more than one property.
November 13, 2025 at 3:05 AM
152: clear majority want a property tax increase. Our services shouldn’t degrade to cater to a small subset of the population. Already have one of the lowest tax rates in North America. This is just 16 cents per 100k in property value. So many own more than one property.
Reposted by Vyas Saran
“Brian let me know where you’re living” www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
November 13, 2025 at 2:23 AM
“Brian let me know where you’re living” www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
Reposted by Vyas Saran
111: first to support. Maybe we can all be police officers. I’m not getting my Chip Wilson payments. We need more ATVs on the beach! Brian let me know where you’re living, I’d love to get out of the city
November 13, 2025 at 2:12 AM
111: first to support. Maybe we can all be police officers. I’m not getting my Chip Wilson payments. We need more ATVs on the beach! Brian let me know where you’re living, I’d love to get out of the city
Reposted by Vyas Saran
It never used to be dark by 5pm. They're doing this to demoralize you
November 11, 2025 at 12:12 AM
It never used to be dark by 5pm. They're doing this to demoralize you
Reposted by Vyas Saran
![Edit of 2022 @picardie_aurora tweet about Biden learning that Queen Elizabeth died
chief of staff: Mr. Mamdani. very sad news. Dick Cheney has died.
Mamdani: [munching a spoonful of ghee]" hot damn. we do that?
in the original Biden was munching "a block of Kerrygold butter"](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:zltqtmydso6kikzw7wafpj4p/bafkreihpg5hk26jxsemsekvhnlzyfudz7bmlxmpz54q4jvdz3ihjati2ii@jpeg)