May 2025: Showcasing Vancouver’s innovation edge at Web Summit

May began with heavy hearts in Vancouver. The tragedy that unfolded after the Lapu Lapu Day Festival left a lasting impact, especially on our Filipino community. In the face of profound loss, our city stood united in grief, compassion, and resolve.

In the days that followed, I returned to the site of the incident. The grief was still raw—messages of love and sorrow lined the sidewalks. I was deeply moved by the strength of the community, and grateful for the work of the Vancouver Police Department’s Victim Services Unit and the volunteers at the Resilience Centre set up at Killarney Secondary School.

Support for those affected also came from across the city: from merchants on Fraser Street, where I met with business leaders and volunteers; to generous patrons of Dean’s No Frills, where proceeds went to support victim relief efforts through United Way BC. I also appreciated the opportunity to visit the Vancouver Filipino Seventh-Day Adventist Church, where I spoke with members about how we can continue to support healing and resilience.

This spirit of compassion carried through the month. On May 5, we honoured the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit+ People. We also proclaimed May 7 as Child and Youth Mental Health Day—a reminder of the importance of seeing and supporting our young people.

May also marked Asian Heritage Month and  Jewish Heritage Month in Vancouver. We celebrated the cultural richness and community contributions of Asian and Jewish Vancouverites, even as we stood in solidarity with those facing rising hate and antisemitism. I was proud to join Council in officially recognizing both proclamations.

Across the city, I was pleased to attend events that showcased our civic pride and commitment to inclusion—from the BC Buddhist Festival at Helena Gutteridge Plaza to QMUNITY’s 2025 IDAHOBIT Breakfast and the powerful message it delivered about 2SLGBTQIA+ rights and leadership.

We also celebrated new beginnings. The opening of the rooftop childcare centre at Eric Hamber Secondary marked a major step forward in the City’s work to deliver accessible, high-quality childcare. With nearly 400 new spaces on the way, this is one of the largest expansions of City-facilitated childcare in years.

At the same time, we advanced bold ideas in innovation and climate adaptation. I was honoured to bring forward an amendment that passed unanimously to explore GreenShades—vegetated shade structures that provide immediate relief in areas where trees can’t grow. These innovations are key as we face a changing climate.

The month ended on an inspiring high note with  Web Summit Vancouver. Over 15,000 delegates from around the world gathered at the Convention Centre for one of the largest global tech events ever hosted in our city. As a board member of Invest Vancouver, I was proud to speak at the Naturally Innovative stage and the Frontier Collective VanCity Innovation Centre, where I met with investors, founders, and partners working to grow our innovation ecosystem. The energy was electric, the ideas bold, and the opportunities vast.

Other May highlights included celebrating Vancouver’s railway history at Engine 374 Outside Day, touring the Vancouver Art Gallery’s underground collections, launching Tour de Concord, attending McDonald’s Canada’s C25 Convention, and joining Mayor Sim and City staff at the joyful Family Fun Fair at the Manitoba Works Yard.

Finally, I want to extend my congratulations to Chief Constable Steve Rai on his appointment as Vancouver’s new police chief. His experience, commitment to community, and leadership will serve our city well.

And with an eye to the future, I was thrilled to support the decision to establish a permanent VANCOUVER sign at the waterfront—a bold, visible symbol of civic pride and a fitting welcome as we look ahead to FIFA 2026.

May reminded us that even in grief, our city’s heart beats strong. We celebrate together. We heal together. And we look forward—together.

Council Update

  • Granville Street Plan Approved: Council adopted a bold new plan to transform Granville Street into a vibrant, year-round destination with expanded patios, performance venues, pedestrian zones and cultural spaces. Read more.
  • UNDRIP Partnership Moves Forward: Vancouver is entering a new phase of its reconciliation work with Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, with 18 joint Action Groups now developing five-year plans.
  • Mayor’s Budget Task Force Progress: Updates show improved outcomes from smarter city spending, including a 3% drop in absenteeism and new AI-powered tools for both residents and staff.
  • Ottawa Advocacy: Mayor Ken Sim, Councillor Lisa Dominato and I were in Ottawa meeting federal leaders to advocate for bail reform, housing, and infrastructure funding—including the UBC SkyTrain extension. More to follow in my June update.
  • FCM 2025: Council participated in the Federation of Canadian Municipalities conference to share best practices and highlight Vancouver’s national priorities.
  • Cultural and Arts Funding:
    • Council approved $2.5 million in grants to 162 cultural organizations.
    • Theatre Rental Grants totalling $3.18 million were approved for upcoming Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 performing arts seasons.