The Vancouver election results have delivered a change at the top of City Hall, with Green candidate Pete Fry defeating incumbent Mayor Ken Sim in the October 17, 2026 municipal election.
Fry’s victory ends Sim’s first term as mayor and brings a new political direction to Vancouver after ABC Vancouver took control of the mayor’s office and secured a broad council majority in 2022.
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Vancouver election results signal a change at City Hall
Fry entered the race as a sitting city councillor and one of the most prominent critics of Sim’s administration.
His campaign focused on municipal accountability, public services, housing, transportation and maintaining elected civic institutions.
Sim sought a second term after campaigning on his record in office and ABC Vancouver’s approach to policing, infrastructure, development and city finances.
The mayoral contest also included Vancouver Liberals candidate Kareem Allam, along with Colleen Hardwick, Rebecca Bligh, Muhammad Ahmad, Amauri Caliman and Scott Gilbert.
Because Vancouver elects its mayor using a first-past-the-post system, the candidate with the most votes wins even without receiving more than half of all ballots cast.
What voters decided on October 17
Vancouver voters cast ballots for one mayor, 10 city councillors, seven Park Board commissioners and nine Vancouver School Board trustees.
They also voted on three Capital Plan borrowing questions and two plebiscite questions.
The City of Vancouver held general voting on Saturday, October 17, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The election followed advance voting on October 3, 7, 10 and 13.
The city had previously reported record advance participation, with more than 103,000 people voting during the four advance-voting days.
That exceeded the 65,127 advance ballots cast in the 2022 municipal election.
Those figures did not include final-day voting or all vote-by-mail ballots, meaning the final turnout percentage will only be known once the complete count is certified.
Council results will determine Fry’s mandate
The mayoral result is only one part of the Vancouver election results.
The make-up of council will determine how easily Fry can advance budgets, housing policies, transportation measures and other priorities.
Vancouver’s council is elected at large, with voters able to choose up to 10 candidates.
That system can produce a council where the winning mayor does not have a clear bloc of aligned councillors.
That possibility is especially important in 2026 because ABC Vancouver’s previous majority shaped much of the city’s agenda during Sim’s term.
The final council lineup will show whether voters also changed the balance of power beyond the mayor’s office.
Results for council, the Park Board, the School Board and the ballot questions are expected to be confirmed as the City completes its count and formal declaration process.
When official Vancouver election results are due
The City of Vancouver has indicated that official election results, including the plebiscite questions, are expected by Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
That process allows election officials to account for outstanding ballots and complete the statutory declaration of elected candidates.
Preliminary election-night numbers should therefore be treated separately from the official results.
The next stage will be the transition at City Hall.
Fry is expected to be sworn in with the newly elected council and other civic officials after the official results are declared.
What comes next for Vancouver
Fry will inherit responsibility for a city facing pressure over housing affordability, public safety, homelessness, transportation, infrastructure costs and the future of civic governance.
The change in mayor also creates uncertainty around policies introduced or promoted by the outgoing administration, including its approach to policing, city staffing, development approvals and the Park Board.
How quickly the new mayor can act will depend on the council results.
A mayor with a supportive council can move more rapidly on budgets and bylaws, while a divided council may require broader negotiations.
For Vancouver residents, the most consequential part of the 2026 election may therefore be the full composition of City Hall rather than the mayoral result alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2026 Vancouver mayoral election?
Pete Fry defeated incumbent Mayor Ken Sim in Vancouver’s October 17, 2026 municipal election.
When was the Vancouver municipal election held?
General voting took place on Saturday, October 17, 2026, with advance voting held on October 3, 7, 10 and 13.
What other positions were elected in Vancouver?
Voters chose 10 city councillors, seven Park Board commissioners and nine Vancouver School Board trustees, in addition to the mayor.
When will the official Vancouver election results be released?
The City of Vancouver has said official results, including the plebiscite questions, are expected by Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
Why do the Vancouver council results matter?
Council controls budgets, bylaws and many policy decisions, so the balance of elected councillors will determine how easily the new mayor can advance priorities.
Fact-Checked: Key election dates, offices, voting procedures and the official-results timeline were checked against City of Vancouver and Elections BC information, while the mayoral result was checked against current election reporting.
Disclaimer: Preliminary election-night figures can change until the City of Vancouver completes its count and declares the official results.