VancouverMETRO VANCOUVER NEWS
OneCity promises climate-policy reversal, rooftop solar program in Vancouver
OneCity’s early 2026 election platform promises to restore some building-emissions rules, lower heat-pump permit costs and fund cooling systems for high-risk households.
OneCity Vancouver has released early promises for the October 2026 civic election, including restoring some building-climate policies changed under Mayor Ken Sim and the ABC Vancouver majority, expanding rooftop solar and reducing municipal costs for heat-pump conversions.
If elected, the party says it would use its first three months to identify climate-related policies changed under ABC, then seek restoration of retrofit-program and compliance funding through the City of Vancouver’s 2027 budget. It would also seek to restore a former zero-emissions heating requirement for new low-rise homes and reverse a 2025 compliance option allowing natural gas for heating and hot water in new construction.
OneCity also proposes renewed enforcement of the Annual Greenhouse Gas and Energy Limits By-law for large existing buildings. City council voted in May 2026 to pause enforcement while staff review the program. ABC has said its policy changes provide flexibility to better support housing affordability.
The party’s proposed Public Rooftop Solar and Community Energy Program would expand solar installations on public buildings such as schools, libraries and community centres. A subscription-style model, inspired in part by New Westminster’s Urban Solar Garden, would be explored so renters, co-op residents and non-profits could share in the benefits without controlling a suitable roof.
OneCity says it would initially provide cooling, air-filtration systems and heat pumps in about 500 homes deemed at high risk during extreme heat, at an estimated gross cost of $4 million to $7.5 million. It says municipal funding could be combined with support from BC Hydro, other governments and non-profits.
Mayoral candidate William Azaroff also cited the 619 deaths during the June 2021 heat dome. The party says it would introduce a streamlined flat-rate permit process so homeowners are not charged more by the city to convert from natural gas to an electric heat pump; it estimates current combined permit fees can reach about $767, compared with as little as $67 to replace a gas appliance.