Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim Spends Big on Transport, Food, and Office Supplies, City Docs Reveal

(Image courtesy of CBC)

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim ran a campaign in 2022 on being fiscally responsible. However, an analysis of mayoral expenses proves that Sim is the same, if not more excessive, with his expenses than previous Mayors Robertson and Stewart. 

Examining 13 categories under annual local and discretionary expenses for the mayor’s office, from the years 2016 to 2024, Sim comfortably outspent his predecessors in seven of those categories. 

Transport Expenditures

The most striking example has been in transportation expenses. The highest during this timeframe before Sim was Robertson’s 2016 expense, which cost taxpayers $3,227.88. In 2024, Sim’s transportation expenses were $39,360.71. The reason for this large jump is the use of “fleet rentals” for Sim and his team. 

Transportation Expenses

Transportation Expenses from the Mayor's office from 2016 to 2024. Notice in 2023, Sim's first year in office, costs skyrocket. Information courtesy of the City of Vancouver. Figures are expressed in dollars ($).

Miscellaneous and Office Expenses

Considerable amounts have also been spent on miscellaneous supplies and services, as well as office supplies. Mayor Sim spent $68,626.39 and $46,719.96 on these items in 2024, respectively.

Miscellaneous Supplies & Services

Miscellaneous Supplies & Services Expenses from the mayor's office from 2016 to 2024.

Office Supplies & Services

Office Supplies & Services Expenses from the mayor's office from 2016 to 2024.

Meeting Costs

Another area of interest has been meeting expenses, which usually account for food. Sim has been more indulgent than Robertson and Stewart when it comes to this as well.

Looking at their most expensive year for each mayor on record when it came to meeting costs, which was 2016 for Robertson, 2019 for Stewart, and 2024 for Sim, Sim spent the most money by far.

Meeting Costs

Meeting Costs per month under each mayor's most expensive year. Stewart's October 2019 meeting expense was listed as -$680.09 so it was given a value of 0 on the graph. Information given by the City of Vancouver. Figures are expressed in dollars ($).

No Signs of Slowing Down

Examining Sim’s expenses for the first quarter of 2025 and extrapolating that out for the rest of the year shows that the Mayor’s office budget remains on pace with his two previous years. Total mayoral office expenses have exceeded $1 million under Sim during his time in office.