Vancouver's October ballot will ask voters about hard drugs and treatment beds
Two plebiscite questions on public safety will join the civic election ballot, seeking voter input on restrictions and facility conversion.
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Vancouver voters will face two advisory plebiscite questions on the October 17 civic ballot aimed at reshaping the city's response to the drug and mental health crisis.
The first asks: "Are you in favour of the City of Vancouver strengthening its laws to forbid open-air hard (Heroin, Meth, Fentanyl, and Crack) drug use in public spaces?" The second reads: "Should the City of Vancouver formally ask the Province of B.C. to convert portions of the old St. Paul's Hospital, or another site, into a secure medical facility that provides acute voluntary and 100-plus involuntary care beds for individuals posing a serious risk to themselves or others due to severe substance use and mental health disorders?"
Mayor Ken Sim's ABC Vancouver party submitted the motion, asserting that issues spanning municipal and provincial responsibilities warrant direct public mandate. City Council will vote on adding the questions during a special meeting Friday, August 14 — approval is expected given ABC's majority.
While the questions are advisory rather than legally binding, a "Yes" vote would give the next council a clear mandate to pursue new municipal bylaws and pressure the BC NDP-led provincial government for major new treatment capacity. The plebiscite shares the October ballot with candidate races for mayor, City Council, the Vancouver Park Board, and the Vancouver School Board, as well as a separate borrowing question seeking voter approval for the City to borrow up to $790 million for community centres and infrastructure under the 2027–2030 capital plan.
The source does not state the estimated cost to convert St. Paul's or an alternative site into the proposed secure treatment facility, or provide polling data on voter support for either question ahead of the election.
What is the estimated cost to convert portions of St. Paul's Hospital or an alternative site into the proposed secure treatment facility?
Does polling show whether voters are likely to support these public safety measures?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
When is Vancouver's civic election?
Vancouver's civic election is on October 17, 2026.
What two questions will appear on the October ballot?
Voters will be asked whether Vancouver should strengthen laws to forbid open-air hard drug use in public spaces, and whether the city should ask the Province of B.C. to convert St. Paul's Hospital or another site into a secure medical facility with over 100 involuntary care beds for people with severe substance use and mental health disorders.
Who submitted the motion for these plebiscite questions?
Mayor Ken Sim's ABC Vancouver party submitted the motion for the two advisory plebiscite questions.
When will City Council vote on adding these questions to the ballot?
City Council will vote on adding the questions during a special meeting on Friday, August 14, 2026.
How much is the city seeking to borrow for community centres and infrastructure?
The City of Vancouver is seeking voter approval to borrow up to $790 million for community centres and infrastructure under the 2027–2030 capital plan.
