June 2026: Welcoming the World, Strengthening Our Neighbourhoods

June was one of the most exciting months I’ve experienced as a Vancouver City Councillor. As FIFA World Cup 2026 arrived, our city welcomed visitors from around the globe while neighbourhoods came alive with festivals, public celebrations, and community pride.

For me, the month was about far more than hosting a world-class sporting event. It was about showing the world what makes Vancouver special: vibrant neighbourhoods, welcoming public spaces, thriving local businesses, and residents who care deeply about their communities.

A City Ready for the World

Without question, the highlight of the month was celebrating the opening of the Freedom Mobile Arch at Hastings Park.

As Chair of the PNE Board, I had the extraordinary privilege of becoming the first person to address an audience in this spectacular new venue. It was a memorable moment, but the real achievement belongs to the hundreds of people who helped make it possible—from PNE staff and City teams to architects, engineers, tradespeople, and project partners.

This remarkable venue will become one of Vancouver’s great gathering places for concerts, festivals, and community events for decades to come.

Across the city, the excitement surrounding FIFA World Cup was impossible to miss.

From touring the FIFA Fan Festival before opening day, to walking through the vibrant new Granville Pedestrian Zone, joining fans at Game Days at South Flats, marching down the Last Mile with Team Canada supporters, celebrating at Fan Fest, and speaking with Gloria Macarenko on CBC about free activities across the city, it was inspiring to see Vancouver embrace this global moment.

I was also pleased to support BC Business House through my work with Invest Vancouver, helping showcase Metro Vancouver’s innovation economy to international investors and business leaders visiting during the tournament.

These events reminded me that world-class sporting events aren’t only about competition. They’re opportunities to support local businesses, create jobs, strengthen tourism, and introduce millions of visitors to everything our city has to offer.

Listening in Our Neighbourhoods

While the world was watching Vancouver, I remained focused on listening to the people who call it home.

Throughout June I spent many evenings and weekends knocking on doors with our outstanding ABC Vancouver volunteer team in Sunset, Champlain Heights, and Killarney.

Residents spoke candidly about affordability, taxes, traffic, parking, parks, public safety, and the everyday services they rely upon from City Hall.

These conversations are one of the most valuable parts of serving as a councillor. They help shape my priorities, keep me grounded in the issues facing families and businesses, and often lead directly to helping residents resolve City Hall concerns.

I’m grateful to everyone who opened their doors, shared their ideas, and welcomed us into their neighbourhoods.

Building a More Livable Vancouver

June also included many opportunities to celebrate projects that make everyday life better.

I was pleased to help open the new public plaza at Main Street and East 14th Avenue, welcome the new City Market to South Granville, celebrate the opening of Tahini’s in Downtown Vancouver, and tour the South Granville business district with the local BIA.

I also met with the Vancouver Regional Construction Association to discuss practical ways to improve housing affordability by streamlining permitting and reducing unnecessary costs, welcomed the new Fuller-Findlay Housing Co-op in the West End, and applauded the new federal-provincial agreement that will help reduce development charges and improve housing affordability.

Visits to Farmers on 57th, Fair Haven Lodge, and the new Ashtrey Recovery Resource Centre were powerful reminders that community wellbeing depends on supporting people at every stage of life—from childcare and housing to seniors’ care and recovery services.

Celebrating the Communities That Make Vancouver Strong

June was also a wonderful reminder that Vancouver’s diversity is one of our greatest strengths.

I was honoured to celebrate Italian Heritage Month, proclaim Philippine Independence Day, participate in National Indigenous Peoples Day, attend Italian Day on Commercial Drive, visit Greek Day on Broadway, join the Croatian Cultural Centre for FIFA celebrations, celebrate the 50th anniversary of Britannia Community Centre, and support many neighbourhood festivals including Marpole Community Day and the Champlain Heights Summer Fair.

These events are about far more than celebrations. They bring neighbours together, strengthen local businesses, and remind us that our diversity is one of Vancouver’s defining advantages.

As June came to a close, I felt an enormous sense of optimism.

Whether welcoming the world through FIFA, opening new public spaces, supporting local businesses, or listening to residents on their doorsteps, I continue to believe the best way to serve this city is to stay connected to the people who make it such an extraordinary place to call home.

Thank you, as always, for your ideas, encouragement, and feedback. I look forward to seeing you in the community throughout the summer.