Four Years of Progress — and More Work to Do
Four years ago, Vancouver voters gave me the extraordinary privilege of serving on City Council alongside Mayor Ken Sim and the ABC Vancouver team.
As we head toward the October 17 election, I’ve been reflecting on just how much has happened since then — and why I’m asking Vancouver voters for the opportunity to serve for another four years.
When I ran in 2022, I believed City Hall needed to get back to the fundamentals: making our communities safer, delivering the services residents rely on, helping make life more affordable, and ensuring Vancouver remained a place where families, businesses and communities could thrive.
We’ve made real progress.
We’ve invested in public safety and frontline services, while Vancouver has recorded its lowest violent crime rate in more than two decades. We’ve worked to keep costs under control, including delivering a zero per cent property tax increase. We’re making major investments in roads, sidewalks, community centres and the neighbourhood infrastructure Vancouverites use every day.
I’ve also tried to bring my own priorities and experience to Council — supporting seniors and making Vancouver more age-friendly, expanding childcare, helping small businesses and cutting red tape, supporting our cultural and creative sectors, and finding practical ways to get things done for residents.
There is much more to do. That includes taking action on the mental health, addiction and public safety crisis we see on our streets. On October 17, Vancouver voters will also have their say in a city-wide public safety plebiscite — including whether to strengthen rules against open-air hard drug use in public spaces and call on the Province to provide secure care for people experiencing the most severe mental health and substance use disorders. I’ll be voting YES, and I encourage Vancouverites to learn more at VoteYes2026.ca.
This election presents Vancouver with a clear choice. I believe we need to keep moving forward on public safety, affordability and the basic services that make a city work. We cannot take the progress of the last four years for granted.
That’s why I’m proud to be running again with Mayor Ken Sim and the ABC Vancouver team.
And I could use your help.
Our campaign is now in full swing, and there are lots of ways to get involved.
- You can volunteer to knock on doors, or
- Help us during the four advance voting days on October 3, 7, 10, 13 or on Election Day on the 17th, or
- Make a donation to me to support our campaign, or
- Show your support by registering to take a campaign sign.
No lawn? No problem. A window, balcony or other visible spot can work too.
Campaigns are powered by people. Whether you can give us a few hours, put up a sign, host a coffee party, make a contribution or simply help spread the word, it makes a difference.
Election Day is Saturday, October 17. I hope I can count on your support — and I hope you’ll join us as we work to keep Vancouver safe, affordable and moving forward.
With deep appreciation and my thanks,
Mike Klassen
Vancouver City Councillor
Candidate for re-election