---
title: "City denied FOI request for records on Ken Sim's taxpayer-funded X account"
description: "Vancouver city hall told journalist Bob Mackin that its access-to-information law does not apply to Mayor Ken Sim's X account, which taxpayers pay $9.55 a month for, according to a report published October 16."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/news/ken-sim-x-account-foi-october-16"
last_updated: "2026-10-17T19:03:19.331Z"
---

Vancouver city hall told journalist Bob Mackin that its access-to-information law does not apply to Mayor Ken Sim's X account, even though Vancouver taxpayers pay $9.55 a month for the subscription, according to a report published October 16.

Bob Mackin filed a freedom-of-information request for records about the production of two September 2026 videos posted to Sim's @kensimcity account. Both videos featured retired Vancouver Fire Department Chief Karen Fry and were used in Sim's re-election campaign.

Vancouver's access and privacy office, through employees Kevin Tuerlings and April Miller, denied the request. Their written response said the "requested records do not relate to the business of the city" and that "The referenced video was not produced by the Mayor's Office." Ken Sim did not comment on the denial, according to Mackin's report.

## The May 28 event

Mackin also described an event on May 28 at the Sheraton Wall Centre Hotel about the 900 Helmcken overdose prevention site. At that event, Sim spent at least five minutes on a campaign interview recorded by Conservative social media consultant Adam Beattie, also known as Robin Skies, on a smartphone. Sim then spent three minutes answering reporters' questions before leaving.

The 900 Helmcken overdose prevention project was later cancelled by the NDP health minister on August 31.

## The 2022 platform promise

ABC Vancouver's 2022 platform promised to limit partisan activity in the Office of the Mayor, according to Mackin's report. Mackin reported that since late spring 2026, Sim's X account has focused on political messaging for ABC Vancouver rather than general city information.

The city's denial means production records for the videos are not in the public record before the October 17 vote.

Voters can read [Ken Sim's full profile at voche.me](/candidates/ken-sim) and compare all seven mayoral candidates before casting a ballot. See [where to vote](/where-to-vote) for the polling place nearest to you. Voting takes place October 17.

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