'Deeply unserious': Councillor criticizes Vancouver mayor's conversion of boardroom into gym
A Vancouver city councillor is calling out Mayor Ken Sim for apparently limiting access to a city hall boardroom and turning it into a makeshift gym.
Coun. Pete Fry posted to social media Tuesday, claiming a boardroom was "inexplicably expropriated for 'regular operations' by mayor office in January."
Fry included a screenshot of an email he said council received that month, which noted changes in meeting room usage.
"We have been advised by the mayor's office that they will be utilizing the ceremonial boardroom and the Grouse Room for regular operations of the mayor and his office team," the email said.
In his post, Fry claimed a door to one of the meeting rooms was left unlocked last week.
"It's now a gym?" his post said.
The post included a photo of the room, showing what looked like a Peloton bike and other gym apparatus.
"The deeply unserious and absolute absurdity of a civic asset being repurposed as Ken's mojo dojo casa house belies a very real problem (with) process, transparency and good governance that we continue to get stonewalled on," Fry wrote in a subsequent post.
Health 'crucial': Sim
In a statement to CTV News Vancouver, Sim acknowledged the space was being used for a gym and confirmed he'd purchased the equipment himself. Sim explained he'd moved back into the official mayor's office earlier this year, which he said is next to the boardroom now being used as a gym.
"The official mayor’s office shares a door with what was once a boardroom. Given the sensitive and confidential nature of the discussions that take place here, maintaining confidentiality is paramount," Sim's statement said. "To ensure privacy and efficiency, we relocated the boardroom to a larger, more central location for councillors. This new space not only offers better privacy for the mayor's office but also fosters a more conducive environment for meaningful discussions."
Sim said the room was turned into a gym space at that point, adding "health and well-being are crucial."
"This setup allows me to stay focused and energized amidst a demanding schedule," he said.
Fry told CTV News Vancouver Wednesday that he assumed the meeting space was being used to facilitate an increased number of staff.
"Finding out we were expropriated really for the only purpose of the mayor's personal gym and personal use altogether was disappointing," Fry said. "I won't lie, I was quite frustrated, because many of us have been forced to do more meetings off site as a result."
Fry said he doesn't begrudge the mayor using a gym, but said the use of this space "doesn't really seem appropriate."
"It's not for public use. It's not for other city staff. I don't have access to that door anymore. It's all under lock," he said. "Hey, physical fitness is a great thing. I could probably use some time in the gym myself, but the reality is this is taxpayer space. This is city business space. It's not personal-use space and that's my issue."
Budget reallocation approved
Sim has faced criticism about his spending in recent weeks, after the mayor asked for more funding for his office.
The mayor's 2024 budget is $1.47 million, one of the highest budgets compared to his predecessors. Earlier this month, his office asked council to divert $80,000 initially approved for the city clerk's office. According to a report from Paul Mochrie, city manager, the funds are for a new administrative role for the mayor who will help with scheduling and other related functions.
When asked earlier this month about the budget reallocation request, Sim said in a statement to CTV News that "council has hit the ground running with a clear mandate, including improving public safety, getting more housing built, clearing permit and project approval backlogs, and addressing crumbling infrastructure."
"To meet these challenges and get our city back on track, we've restructured how things are done in the mayor’s office, which has played an integral part in supporting our efforts on council," the statement said.
Sim's budget allocation request was approved on Tuesday with a 7-3 vote. Fry, Coun. Christine Boyle and Coun. Adriane Carr all voted against the motion.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Isabella Zavarise
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Britain's Labour on track for landslide victory, exit poll suggests, amid anger with Conservatives
Britain's Labour Party headed for a landslide victory Friday in a parliamentary election, an exit poll suggested, as voters punished the governing Conservatives after 14 years of economic and political upheaval.
'Ford's dry summer begins': LCBO workers set to strike Friday after talks fall apart
Thousands of employees with the Liquor Control Board of Ontario are set to walk off their jobs on Friday as the union says 'talks have broken down' and it is not hopeful that a deal will be reached to avert a strike.
Saskatchewan has the lowest hourly minimum wage. How does it stack up to the rest of Canada?
Hourly minimum wages increased in several Canadian provinces this spring with more on the horizon, which economists say will likely impact workers and businesses differently.
Trying to sell or buy a home this summer? What a realtor says you should know
In the first few weeks of summer, the real estate sector is experiencing an upturn marked by more housing inventory, a Canadian realtor says
Canada to host the 70th annual NATO session in Montreal
Canada will host the 70th annual session of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Parliamentary Assembly from Nov. 22 to 25 in Montreal, Que.
No Frills grocery stores drop 'multi-buy' offer
As receipts tick ever higher for Canadians at the grocery store and shoppers continue to search for savings, one Canadian grocer has ended a perceived deal.
Hurricane Beryl churns toward Mexico after leaving destruction in Jamaica and eastern Caribbean
After leaving a trail of destruction across the eastern Caribbean and at least nine people dead, Hurricane Beryl weakened as it chugged over open water toward Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula on Thursday, going from the earliest Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic to Category 2 by the afternoon.
CSIS director David Vigneault stepping down after seven years on the job
David Vigneault says he is stepping down from his job at the head of Canada’s spy agency. The director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, who spent seven years at the helm, is leaving the public service altogether.
Son asks court to sell B.C. home he co-owns with his mother, despite her objections
A B.C. judge has ordered the sale of a Surrey home despite the objections of the woman who lives there, who owns it jointly with her son.