Where the candidates stand on taxes & spending
Every candidate for Mayor of Vancouver in 2026, on each taxes & spending question in the questionnaire. Verified positions come from the candidate’s own public material. Where there is none, a clearly labelled AI-assisted estimate is shown instead. How positions are found.
Vancouver should end the zero per cent property tax freeze and return to regular annual increases.
Amauri Caliman · Independent candidate
Somewhat disagree
I do not support automatic tax freezes or automatic annual increases. The City should first reduce duplication, improve procurement and demonstrate value. Any increase should be transparent, justified and tied to maintaining measurable services.
Confirmed by candidateConfirmed by candidate via email on September 30, 2026
Colleen Hardwick · TEAM for a Livable Vancouver
Somewhat agree
Limit tax increases to inflation to maintain municipal services at levels agreed to by voters.
Published campaign materialFinance & Administration (2026) ↗
Kareem Allam · Vancouver Liberals
Somewhat disagree
Would cut selected property taxes and cancel the proposed second City Hall project.
Why the model reads it this way: Allam's targeted tax cuts and major spending reductions point away from immediately returning to regular broad increases, although he has not committed to continuing the zero-per-cent freeze.
Ken Sim · ABC Vancouver
Strongly disagree
The mayor has committed to pursuing another zero per cent property tax increase next year...
Candidate questionnaire answerHere's what First Nations stakeholders want from Vancouver's next mayor and council ↗
Muhammad Ahmad · Bright Future Vancouver
Neutral or mixed
Would seek a marginal luxury infrastructure levy on residential assessed value above $5 million, with deferrals for eligible owners.
Why the model reads it this way: Targeted new levies do not clearly settle whether ordinary property-tax increases should resume, so the estimate is mixed.
Pete Fry · Green Party of Vancouver
Somewhat agree
...as the City struggles with Sim's reckless tax cuts, disrupting city services and leading to widespread fee increases, people are calling for change.
Published campaign materialPete Fry for Mayor ↗
Rebecca Bligh · Vote Vancouver
Strongly agree
End the 0% property tax freeze and replace it with predictable, sustainable property tax increases based on responsible long-term financial planning.
Confirmed by candidateConfirmed by Vote Vancouver via email on October 1, 2026
Supporting public source:Vote Vancouver — Policy Priorities (version 1.1) ↗
Scott Gilbert · Independent candidate
Neutral or mixed
I do not endorse an arbitrary tax freeze or automatic annual increases detached from service needs, nor a guaranteed inflation ceiling regardless of costs.
Confirmed by candidateConfirmed by candidate via email on October 2, 2026
Vancouver should generally keep annual property-tax increases at or below inflation.
Amauri Caliman · Independent candidate
Somewhat agree
Keeping increases at or below inflation should be the goal where responsibly possible. Inflation is a useful benchmark, but I would not impose an arbitrary ceiling if essential services genuinely require more after efficiencies have been pursued.
Confirmed by candidateConfirmed by candidate via email on September 30, 2026
Colleen Hardwick · TEAM for a Livable Vancouver
Strongly agree
Supports limiting property-tax increases to inflation while maintaining agreed municipal services.
Published campaign materialFinance & Administration (2026) ↗
Kareem Allam · Vancouver Liberals
Somewhat agree
Criticises a 26 per cent property-tax increase and proposes targeted property-tax reductions funded by spending changes and new revenue.
Why the model reads it this way: Allam's affordability and tax-cut commitments suggest support for restraining annual increases, though he has not endorsed an explicit inflation cap.
Ken Sim · ABC Vancouver
Somewhat agree
Current ABC affordability materials commit to tying future property-tax increases to inflation.
Candidate's own materialKen Sim for Mayor | ABC Vancouver ↗
Muhammad Ahmad · Bright Future Vancouver
Neutral or mixed
Would use a luxury-property levy and stronger vacancy-tax enforcement to fund housing and infrastructure.
Why the model reads it this way: Ahmad identifies new targeted revenue but does not state how ordinary annual property-tax increases should relate to inflation, so the estimate is mixed.
Pete Fry · Green Party of Vancouver
Somewhat disagree
Criticises tax cuts that the campaign says disrupt City services and lead to widespread fee increases.
Why the model reads it this way: Fry's criticism of tax restraint that constrains services points away from a general inflation cap, though he has not proposed a specific alternative ceiling.
Rebecca Bligh · Vote Vancouver
Strongly agree
Supports keeping property-tax increases in line with inflation.
Confirmed by candidateConfirmed by Vote Vancouver via email on October 1, 2026
Supporting public source:Economic Drivers ↗
Scott Gilbert · Independent candidate
Neutral or mixed
I do not endorse an arbitrary tax freeze or automatic annual increases detached from service needs, nor a guaranteed inflation ceiling regardless of costs.
Confirmed by candidateConfirmed by candidate via email on October 2, 2026