Vancouver council to consider advisory plebiscite questions on public drug use, old St. Paul’s

Vancouver City Council is scheduled to consider an ABC Vancouver motion to add two advisory public-safety questions to the Oct. 17, 2026 civic election ballot.

One question would ask whether the City should strengthen its laws to prohibit open-air use of heroin, methamphetamine, fentanyl and crack in public spaces. The other would ask whether the City should formally seek provincial action to convert part of the old St. Paul’s Hospital campus, or another site, into a secure medical facility with acute voluntary care and more than 100 involuntary-care beds for people at serious risk because of severe substance use and mental health disorders.

Council’s special meeting is set for Aug. 14. If approved, the questions would appear alongside candidate races and proposed borrowing of up to $790 million for community centres and other infrastructure under the 2027–2030 capital plan. The public-safety questions would be advisory, not legally binding.

ABC’s policy paper says stronger public-space rules should be paired with stabilization, treatment, recovery and involuntary-care services, rather than relying on enforcement alone. It argues a favourable vote would support future bylaw work and strengthen the City’s advocacy with the B.C. government.

The proposal identifies the old St. Paul’s Hospital site on Burrard Street as a potential interim treatment location after the replacement hospital opens in spring 2027. The existing site has mental-health and addictions facilities, while redevelopment by Concord Pacific is not expected to begin immediately. Concord Pacific said it is open to co-operating with appropriate governments but did not have enough details to comment further.