Vancouver plebiscite results: 137,178 voted yes on drug use question
The City of Vancouver released the results of the two plebiscite questions added to the October 17 ballot. A majority of voters said yes on both.
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The City of Vancouver released the results of two non-binding plebiscite questions on October 21. CTV News reported that on the first question, 137,178 people voted yes and 62,880 voted no.
The first question asked whether the city should strengthen its laws to forbid open-air drug use. The second asked whether the city should formally request that the provincial government convert parts of the current St. Paul's Hospital building, or a similar site, into a secure involuntary care facility after the hospital moves.
On the second question, CTV News reported that 135,509 people voted yes and 63,722 voted no. The City of Vancouver said a total of 207,489 plebiscite ballots were cast.
What the plebiscite cost
The two questions were added to the October 17 ballot by then-mayor Ken Sim. A memo from city clerk Jason Twa put the estimated cost of adding them at between $400,000 and $550,000. Before the election, Pete Fry, who went on to win the mayor's race, called the initiative political theatre and said there was no need to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to poll residents.
What Fry says he will do
Now that the results are in, CTV News reported that Mayor-elect Pete Fry said his party is already committed to addressing the same issues. "It is certainly a temperature check," he said. He added that he is personally committed to addressing open-air drug use and making streets safer.
Fry described three specific plans. He said he will reverse the ban on net new supportive housing. He will approve locations for overdose prevention sites with regulations. He will introduce a Community Response Outreach Workers Team to respond to non-emergency calls about homelessness, public intoxication, and mental health crises.
"They will see a tangible difference, because that is the intention, and the first question to address folks who are unwell and unhoused on our streets," Fry said. "That is a priority for me."
On the second question, CTV News reported that Fry pointed to two existing commitments. The provincial government has already committed to 90 secure mental health beds at the new St. Paul's Hospital, which can be used for both voluntary and involuntary care. Construction has also begun on a new detox and secure treatment facility at First Avenue and Clark Drive.
What the new council says
Councillor Mike Klassen, the only member elected under the ABC Vancouver banner, told CTV News he wants to work with council to find a solution. He said the public is frustrated by outdoor drug use and that council should discuss the results and state a clear position. "People are struggling with drug use and using drugs outdoors," he said. "I think it's important the council talks about it."
Both Fry and Klassen said to CTV News that whoever forms the next provincial government will be a key partner on mental health and supportive housing.
You can follow how the new council votes on these questions at the promise tracker.
Questions this story answers
What were the two plebiscite questions on the Vancouver ballot?
The first question asked whether the city should strengthen its laws to forbid open-air drug use. The second asked whether the city should formally request that the provincial government convert parts of the current St. Paul's Hospital building, or a similar site, into a secure involuntary care facility after the hospital moves to its new location. Both were non-binding and were added by outgoing mayor Ken Sim.
How many people voted yes on the open-air drug use question?
CTV News reported that 137,178 people voted yes and 62,880 voted no on the first question, which asked whether the city should strengthen its laws to forbid open-air drug use. The City of Vancouver released these figures on October 21, 2026.
How many people voted yes on the involuntary care question?
CTV News reported that 135,509 people voted yes and 63,722 voted no on the second question, which asked whether the city should formally request an involuntary care facility. Both questions drew a similar share of yes votes.
How much did the plebiscite cost?
According to a memo from Jason Twa, the city clerk, the estimated cost to add the two questions to the October 17 ballot was between $400,000 and $550,000. The plebiscite questions were introduced in August 2026 by then-mayor Ken Sim.
What does mayor-elect Pete Fry plan to do about open-air drug use?
CTV News reported that Pete Fry said he is personally committed to addressing open-air drug use and making streets safer. His plans, as he described them, include reversing the ban on net new supportive housing, approving locations for overdose prevention sites with regulations, and introducing a Community Response Outreach Workers Team to respond to non-emergency calls about homelessness, public intoxication, and mental health crises.
What did Pete Fry say about the involuntary care question?
CTV News reported that Fry noted the provincial government has already committed to providing 90 secure mental health beds at the new St. Paul's Hospital, which can be used for both voluntary and involuntary care. He also noted that construction has begun on a new detox and secure treatment facility at First Avenue and Clark Drive.
What did Councillor Mike Klassen say about the plebiscite results?
CTV News quoted Councillor Mike Klassen, who won a seat on council representing ABC Vancouver, as saying he wants to work together with council to find a solution. He said the public is frustrated by outdoor drug use and that it is important for council to discuss the results and state a clear position on how to address it. You can read more about the new council at /candidates/mike-klassen.
Were the plebiscite results binding on city council?
The two questions were non-binding, meaning the results do not require council to take any specific action. Mayor-elect Pete Fry called the initiative political theatre before the election, saying there was no need to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to survey residents. Council can consider the results as one input among many when deciding on drug policy and supportive housing.
How many total plebiscite ballots were cast?
The City of Vancouver reported that a total of 207,489 plebiscite ballots were cast in the October 17 election, according to CTV News. The open-air drug use question received 200,058 yes or no responses, and the involuntary care question received 199,231 yes or no responses.
Where can I read more about the elected council and their promises?
You can read about each elected person's promises and track their record at the promise tracker on this site. Mayor-elect Pete Fry's page is at /candidates/pete-fry. The site follows what each elected councillor, park commissioner, and school trustee votes for and decides throughout their term.
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