Vancouver mayor criticized on radio for ‘campaign advertising’ – BC

New radio advertising from the Mayor of Vancouver Kennedy Stewart is raising eyebrows, it’s a few months from the next municipal election.

Advertisements, in which the mayor reads a script touting the mayor’s ‘MADE HOME’ plan, are currently being rotated on local radio stations.

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The plan aims to spur the creation of 10,000 new, more affordable homes by allowing homeowners to build up to six units on a single lot in lower-density areas. Council voted to ask city staff to investigate the technical details of the concept last month.

But the radio station, which says it is produced by the mayor’s office, has some critics who have raised concerns that what sounds like an election advertisement is being paid for with taxpayers’ money.

Ken Sim, who is also running for mayor in the October election, told Global News: “At the end of the day, if he wants to get the message out there, he can put it on social media for free. literally.

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“It would have been the smart thing to do, but he didn’t. And the fact that he’s running for re-election and this is a campaign ad. So he is using taxpayer money to fund his re-election campaign.”

Stewart’s office said the mayor was not available for an interview and would instead provide a written statement.

“Whether it’s fighting anti-Asian hate, a record number of rental housing and social housing approved, or Making HOME – the mayor’s affordable home ownership plan has been approved by the council. unanimously approved – we all discussed topics that are important to the city,” said the mayor’s office.

Residents of the City of Vancouver go to the polls in the next municipal election on Saturday, October 15.