VANCOUVER — Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim says a planned trip to Ottawa this week to meet with senior federal officials aims to strengthen ties with a newly elected government.
"We don't want to wait," Sim said in an interview, adding that he wants to make sure Vancouver's voice is heard.
"Relationships matter and having face-to-face conversations matter."
Sim will be joined by councillors Lisa Dominato and Mike Klassen on the trip, which will run from Tuesday to Friday.
Sim said Vancouver faces challenges that "can't be solved by any one level of government alone" and the trip aims to advocate for solutions that "require federal leadership."
He said issues like bail reform as well as housing and infrastructure are some of the priorities the city hopes to focus on.
The city would not confirm which federal officials the delegation will meet and Sim said the list was still "getting finalized."
He was also unable to confirm the cost of the trip and said the city was "still finalizing the numbers," but said his administration is "very fiscally responsible."
"We are advocating for the City of Vancouver, and we have a lot of incredible opportunities and challenges, and if we are able to get movement even on one of the small ones, this trip will pay for itself multiples upon multiples upon multiples upon multiples over."
The travel plans were announced as Prime Minister Mark Carney was in Saskatoon for the first in-person meeting with Canada's premiers since the federal election.
B.C.'s Premier David Eby was not attending as he is in Asia for a preplanned trade mission.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 2, 2025.
Brieanna Charlebois, The Canadian Press
