VANCOUVER, B.C. — Green Councillor Pete Fry expressed deep disappointment following Vancouver City Council’s decision to substantially weaken accountability measures after the City’s Integrity Commissioner found that Mayor Ken Sim violated the Code of Conduct By-law by creating a discriminatory workplace.

The Integrity Commissioner concluded that Mayor Sim breached the Code of Conduct by excluding Park Board Commissioner Laura Christensen from a December 5, 2023 meeting while she was caring for a newborn, a decision found to constitute discrimination on the basis of sex and family status.

Councillor Fry brought forward a motion¹ that would have implemented the Integrity Commissioner’s recommended sanctions, including a formal letter of reprimand from Council, publication of that reprimand, and mandatory remedial human rights training for Council and the Mayor’s staff.

Instead, Council amended the motion to remove the reprimand entirely, opting only to acknowledge the Mayor’s apology and commit to additional training.

“When the Integrity Commissioner finds a clear breach of the Code of Conduct, Council has a responsibility to act decisively,” said Councillor Fry. “Stripping out meaningful consequences sends the wrong message: not just to Commissioner Christensen, but to parents, caregivers, and employees across the City who rely on leadership to model respect and accountability.”

The Integrity Commissioner explicitly found that Mayor Sim’s actions had an adverse impact on Commissioner Christensen and constituted discrimination, even if not intentional. Councillor Fry stressed that accountability is about the effect of conduct, not intent.

“This was a chance for Council to affirm that discrimination, especially against new parents, has real consequences,” Fry added. “Instead, the majority chose to lower the bar for accountability when it mattered most.”

Councillor Fry voted against the amendment that removed the reprimand and abstained on the final amended motion, citing concerns that Council failed to uphold the standards set out in the Code of Conduct By-law and the expectations placed on elected officials to lead by example.

The Integrity Commissioner’s findings remain on the public record, confirming that the Mayor breached the Code of Conduct By-law.

¹Motion on page 22 of the minutes