Mayor Ken Sim is one step closer to realizing his dream of abolishing the Vancouver Park Board — but that strike could prove to be a painful ankle twister.

On Thursday, BC Municipal Affairs minister (and former  Vancouver Councillor) Christine Boyle brought forth legislation to amend the Vancouver Charter — two years after Sim’s original request — giving power to the City to dissolve the Park Board. The catch? Sim must first make his case to Vancouver voters and let them decide via referendum.

Sim’s first request to the Province came shortly after he and his ABC party swept into power in 2022. His ask blew up in controversy and prompting hundreds of citizens and past and present Park Board commissioners to speak out against the plan.

At the time, the Vancouver Coalition of Neighbourhoods wrote to Council asking if an elected Park Board can be removed mid-term only a year after its election, arguing the public should be given a choice through a referendum, arguing that the public should be given a choice before any request is made to the Province. Narly two years later, the Premier seems to agree. 

The timing of a referendum will be left up to Council.