Rebecca Bligh

© CBC/Radio-Canada 2026. All rights reserved.

FCM's Board of Directors is meeting in St. John’s this week to discuss how best to tackle Canada’s biggest issues, including trade, economic development, defense and sovereignty.

📻 Hear more from President @rebeccaleebligh.bsky.social with CBC: www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...

Vancouver mayor called on to apologize to Chinese-speaking communities over drug accusation Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim is facing calls to apologize to Chinese-speaking communities after he falsely accused a councillor of handing out illegal drugs.

The bigger problem here is that Vancouver is losing trust in City Hall because of politics and infighting.

www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...

“It felt like that the councillor and subsequently, the mayor has let down Vancouverites by using language barriers to exploit a particular population in our city and create such division and misunderstanding of city policy,” said Bligh.

“Bligh said these kinds of misunderstandings are making it more difficult for other councillors to do their jobs, particularly around “nuanced debates” like supportive and social housing.

In terms of the credibility and trust that the public has in Mayor Ken Sim, I expect that has been compromised…

See my thoughts on the situation via CTV as Vancouver still waits for Ken Sim to respond fully:

“Coun. Rebecca Bligh says Sim needs to make a public written apology, which can be posted on WeChat and shared with the Mandarin-speaking community…

Very sad to see Car Free Days cancelled. These signature community events bring us together, support local businesses, and showcase the best of Vancouver.

This is yet another casualty of ABC Vancouver’s underinvestment in our city and a budget that simply doesn’t work for all Vancouverites.

Save the date and register for FCM’s 2026 Annual Conference and Trade Show this June!

Local leaders don’t just respond to challenges, they build the Canada of tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing municipal colleagues from coast to coast to coast in Edmonton.

fcm.ca/ac

#FCM2026AC

Today, we learned the misinformation
Councillor Lenny Zhou cited in the WeChat video, which was the topic of the February 24th press conference, may have originated from Mayor Ken Sim himself during a roundtable with Chinese-language media earlier this month:

www.singtao.ca/7411154/2026...

“Mayor Sim sets the tone for his caucus. He should state clearly that personal allegations against colleagues are unacceptable."

We agree with this statement from Cllr @rebeccaleebligh.bsky.social.

Why has the Mayor failed to forthrightly condemn this disinformation?

© CBC/Radio-Canada 2026. All rights reserved.

Yesterday, I spoke to CBC News about the baseless allegations made against myself and fellow councillors by an ABC city councilor.

Leadership means standing behind your words in every language and in every room.

Listen to the full story on CBC:

www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...

If counsellor Zhou is willing to say that things he said in Mandarin on WeChat & he's not willing to say the exact same thing in English in council chambers, we have a serious problem @rebeccaleebligh.bsky.social on Zhou claiming they used & distributed drugs in a now deleted video viewed 1k times

Vancouver opposition councillors are holding a presser, and say there’s a video being shared on Chinese social media where an ABC councillor is claiming that opposition councillors are drug dealers.

They have not said who the councillor is, or the source of the video, so more to come.

“Earlier this week, I posted a video on social media outlining my opposition to a motion on supportive housing. In that video, I made remarks regarding other Vancouver City councillors. My comments were based on incorrect information, and for that I unequivocally apologize. I am retracting my statement, and I’ve taken down the video. “I fully support the pause of net new supportive housing, and I do believe that there are significant issues around how many facilities operate. There are members of Council who have made it clear that they support the province’s model of supportive housing and the liberalization of drug use in our city. Those are positions that I fundamentally disagree with. “I am proud to be a passionate advocate for engaging my community in civic dialogue. I will continue to fight for Vancouverites but in this case, I did not live up to the standards that I strive for.”

UPDATE: Vancouver Lenny Zhou has apologized for a video he posted on WeChat where he said without evidence that multiple opposition councillors were drug users and dealers

Small businesses are the heartbeat of Vancouver.

They hire local. Sponsor our kids’ teams. Keep our neighbourhoods vibrant.

I’m running to build a strong economy in every neighbourhood.

When small businesses thrive, Vancouver thrives.

On behalf of FCM’s members across the country, I am thinking of the community of Tumbler Ridge, BC, today. We stand with its residents, council, and first responders in the face of this unimaginable tragedy. Canada’s municipal family grieves with you and stands in solidarity.

Also, the funding gap for Celebration of Lights and the reason they canceled three nights was about the same - $600k

We could have gotten three nights for the price of one. Imagine that economic impact.

Bet hey, the Mayor is the money guy right?

We only need to look to Montreal for a very successful co-op model - I support this for Vancouver to make sure bike share remains accessible and affordable.

More than water: Calgary infrastructure woes putting pressure on city hall | CBC News As two catastrophic Bearspaw water main breaks put more pressure on updating Calgary's water system, some city hall watchers are raising alarm over other municipal responsibilities that are aging and ...

“Municipalities own about 60 per cent of the country's infrastructure, but their revenue is mostly constrained to collecting property taxes, which @rebeccaleebligh.bsky.social said is archaic.”

🗞️ www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

We need to go beyond criminal law reform to end gender-based violence For Bill C-16 to reach its full potential, it must be paired with a national action plan to engage and mobilize men and boys in violence prevention.

Opinion: For Bill C-16 to reach its full potential, it must be paired with a national action plan to engage and mobilize men and boys in violence prevention.

www.hilltimes.com/story/2026/0...

Thank you @voorurbanlabs for hosting @petefry @amandajaneburrows @seanorr with community leaders & stakeholders today to discuss FIFA 2026!

We need leadership that you can trust to ensure these games are a success for every Vancouverite and every business - not just those who can afford the tickets

London Drugs in heart of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside to close on Feb. 1 | CBC News The decision to close the location in the Woodwards Building, which has been open since 2009 and in the neighbourhood since 1945, was not taken lightly, according to London Drugs President and COO Cli...

More police spending is not a plan. Mayor Ken Sim and ABC continue to ignore the underlying issues getting worse. Vancouver needs leadership focused on prevention and real community safety—not expensive band-aids.

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

B.C. municipalities say they're on the hook for millions that the feds, province should fund | CBC News B.C. municipalities have long complained senior levels of government have “downloaded” costs and responsibilities onto them. Now some cities have tried to quantify how much they’ve taken on — and they...

“Municipalities are nation builders, […] yet our revenue tools and how municipalities are funded dates back to Confederation.” – @rebeccaleebligh.bsky.social, FCM President

🗞️ bit.ly/499caR7.

'Canada Strong' means nothing without a roof over our head Solving homelessness requires federal investment in things like healthcare, mental health services, addictions support, employment and skills training, financial counselling, income or rent support, a...

“The good news is that we have the power to end chronic homelessness, and the solution is clear and achievable—if we work together.”

More from FCM President @rebeccaleebligh.bsky.social ⬇️

www.ipolitics.ca/2025/12/22/c...

#CDNMuni #cdnpoli

To use the beginning of Hanukkah, a time meant for hope and humanity, to amplify fear and darkness is especially cruel.

We must stand together against hate, and stand for dignity, safety, and humanity for all.

I condemn this terrorist attack in the strongest possible terms. What has happened in Australia is a tragic reminder that acts of violence, motivated by antisemitism in this instance, or by hatred toward any group, must be unequivocally condemned and never tolerated.

Municipalities are essential in the federal government’s housing, trade diversification and economic goals. Budget 2025 recognized the importance of local infrastructure in achieving these goals, but there’s more work to do—together.

FCM President @rebeccaleebligh.bsky.social and CEO @carolesaab.bsky.social welcomed the opportunity to meet with CPC Leader Pierre Poilievre and MP @scottaitchison.bsky.social today.

FCM President @rebeccaleebligh.bsky.social met with Justice Minister @seanfraser.bsky.social to discuss Bills C-14 and C-9 and the next steps we must take together to address the root causes of repeat offending.

#CDNMuni #cdnpoli

La présidente de la FCM, @rebeccaleebligh.bsky.social, et la cheffe de la direction, @carolesaab.bsky.social, ont participé ce matin au petit-déjeuner du maire organisé par la Chambre de commerce d’Ottawa, aux côtés de Mark Sutcliffe et du premier ministre @mark-carney.bsky.social,

It’s the last sitting week of the year for MPs, and FCM President @rebeccaleebligh.bsky.social is in Ottawa meeting with federal decision makers.

On the agenda: ensuring municipal priorities remain top of mind now and into the new year.

Stay tuned for more.

#CDNMuni #cdnpoli