---
title: "What the two plebiscite questions on October 17 ballots actually do"
description: "Vancouver voters will receive a second ballot on election day with two non-binding questions on drug use enforcement and involuntary treatment. Here is what each question says and what a yes vote would mean."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/news/plebiscite-questions-election-october-14"
last_updated: "2026-10-17T19:03:21.067Z"
---

On October 17, Vancouver voters will receive two ballots. The second one carries two non-binding plebiscite questions on public safety. The Ubyssey published a detailed explanation of both questions on October 13.

The plebiscite was proposed by ABC Vancouver. Council voted at a special meeting on August 14 to direct staff to add the questions to the election ballot. Councillors [Pete Fry](/candidates/pete-fry) and Rebecca Bligh, both now running for mayor, left before the final vote. Mayor [Ken Sim](/candidates/ken-sim) has said the city spent two years appealing to the province for involuntary care beds without result. The results of the plebiscite carry no legal effect on the city, according to The Ubyssey.

## What Question 1 asks

The first question asks whether Vancouver should implement stronger laws against open-air hard drug use, specifically naming heroin, meth, fentanyl, and crack, in public spaces.

ABC Vancouver councillor [Lisa Dominato](/candidates/lisa-dominato) described what the stronger enforcement would look like: officers could issue a bylaw ticket of zero dollars, detain the individual, and seize the drugs without pursuing criminal charges. Dominato said the tickets are meant to discourage drug use in parks, playgrounds, and business entrances.

[Rebecca Hasdell](/candidates/rebecca-hasdell), running for council with Vote Vancouver, told The Ubyssey that taking substances away does not solve addiction. "We know that if someone is in active addiction, just taking substances away does not solve that problem," Hasdell said.

## What Question 2 asks

The second question asks whether the old St. Paul's Hospital site should become a secure medical facility providing acute voluntary care and more than 100 involuntary care beds for people posing a serious risk to themselves or others because of severe substance use or mental health disorders.

Dominato said that if Question 2 receives strong support, ABC Vancouver would take the results to the provincial government to advocate for more treatment facilities.

[Kareem Allam](/candidates/kareem-allam) of the Vancouver Liberals told The Ubyssey he supports involuntary care in some circumstances but opposes using the old St. Paul's site because of its central location. TEAM for a Livable Vancouver has said a plebiscite is not needed to show that open-air drug use is unacceptable.

## Who can vote on the plebiscite

Voters will receive the plebiscite ballot separately from their regular ballot. They do not have to answer every question.

Residents of UBC and the University Endowment Lands can vote for school trustees but are not eligible to vote on the plebiscite questions. Those residents are not part of the City of Vancouver.

To find your voting place for October 17, see [/where-to-vote](/where-to-vote). Full information on parties and their positions on the plebiscite is at [/parties](/parties).

## Sitemap

See the full [sitemap](/sitemap.md) for all pages.