Vancouver voters approve all three capital borrowing questions with more than 78 per cent support each
Preliminary results show Vancouver voters backed $790 million in capital borrowing across three questions on the October 17 ballot, with support ranging from 78 to 81 per cent.
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Vancouver voters backed all three capital borrowing questions on the October 17 ballot by wide margins, with the City of Vancouver now able to borrow up to $790 million for community facilities, roads, and parks, according to preliminary results reported by Daily Hive.
All three questions passed with at least 78 per cent of votes cast in favour.
The three questions and their results
The largest question, asking permission to borrow $438 million for community and civic infrastructure, received 149,938 votes in favour and 38,802 against, a margin of 79 per cent support. Daily Hive reported that $338 million of that amount is earmarked for community centres, pools, rinks, libraries, childcare spaces, and social facilities, while the remaining $100 million covers fire halls, service yards, and cultural venues including Vancouver Civic Theatres.
The $292 million transportation and street infrastructure question received 147,171 yes votes and 41,572 no votes, or 78 per cent support. Daily Hive reported the breakdown as $154 million for bridges and structures, including repairs to the Granville Street Bridge and Cambie Street Bridge, $92 million for roads and sidewalks, and $46 million for traffic signals and street lighting.
The $60 million parks question drew the strongest support: 152,587 votes in favour and 36,489 against, an 81 per cent margin. That money covers repairs and upgrades to parks, park buildings, the seawall, pathways, playgrounds, sports fields, and courts.
What the approvals mean
The three approvals together represent $790 million, which Daily Hive reported is 23 per cent of the City's $3.5 billion capital plan for 2027 to 2030. Mayor Ken Sim's outgoing ABC Vancouver-led council approved the capital plan components in July 2026 and placed the borrowing questions on the ballot.
The incoming council, led by mayor-elect Pete Fry, can now pass borrowing by-laws for the listed projects up to the approved amounts. The new council takes office after the official results are certified.
What comes next
These are preliminary results from election night. Official results, including the certified vote totals for all races and plebiscite questions, are expected on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Daily Hive also reported that results of the separate, non-binding public safety plebiscite, which covered restrictions on public hard-drug use and a proposed secure treatment facility, are expected on the same date.
Voters who want to track how the incoming council uses the approved borrowing authority can follow council agendas at vancouver.ca once the new council takes office.
Questions this story answers
Did Vancouver voters approve the capital borrowing questions?
Yes. Preliminary results show all three questions passed. The $438 million community and civic infrastructure question received 79 per cent support, the $292 million transportation question received 78 per cent, and the $60 million parks question received 81 per cent. Daily Hive reported these preliminary figures on October 18, 2026.
What will the $438 million be spent on?
The $438 million covers community-serving and essential civic infrastructure. According to Daily Hive, $338 million goes toward renewing or replacing community facilities such as community centres, pools, rinks, libraries, childcare spaces, and social facilities. Another $100 million supports fire halls, service yards, and cultural venues including Vancouver Civic Theatres.
What will the $292 million transportation money cover?
Daily Hive reported that the $292 million transportation and street infrastructure question covers $154 million for bridges and structures, including repairs to the Granville Street Bridge and Cambie Street Bridge, $92 million for roads and sidewalks, and $46 million for traffic signals and street lighting.
What does the $60 million parks borrowing pay for?
The $60 million parks question covers repairs and upgrades to parks, park buildings, and features including the seawall, pathways, playgrounds, sports fields, and courts, according to Daily Hive. That question received 152,587 yes votes and 36,489 no votes, giving it 81 per cent support and the strongest backing of the three.
Are these results final?
No. Daily Hive reported these as preliminary results from election night. Official results are expected on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, alongside the certified election results for the mayor, council, park board, and school board races.
What is the total borrowing approved?
The three questions together cover $790 million. Daily Hive reported that this represents 23 per cent of Vancouver's $3.5 billion capital plan for 2027 to 2030. The remainder of the plan is funded through property tax, utility fees, reserves, development charges, and other government funding.
When will the public safety plebiscite results be announced?
Daily Hive reported that results of the separate, non-binding public safety plebiscite, covering restrictions on public hard-drug use and a proposed secure treatment facility, are expected on Wednesday, October 21, alongside the official election results.
How can I see the official results?
The City of Vancouver will release official election results on October 21, 2026. You can find them at the election results section of vancouver.ca, and check the Vancouver election page on this site for links to all official results.
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