An inquiry into the conduct of Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim has concluded that he violated the city’s code of ethics and abused his authority by targeting Coun. Sean Orr shortly after Orr’s election in 2025.
The investigation was prompted by a complaint filed by Orr against Sim in October, citing two incidents: a press conference held at city hall on April 8, 2025, and a social media post by Sim on Oct. 4 of the same year. During the press conference, Sim criticized remarks made by Orr on the platform X in 2021, where Orr sarcastically quoted a comedian’s joke about Vancouver city planners. Subsequently, Sim accused Orr of associating with a terrorist organization in another social media post several months later.
Conducted by Jamie Pytel of Kingsgate Legal, the investigation found that Sim breached the Code of Conduct by conducting the press conference and misusing his position of power. It also determined that Sim’s actions at the press conference amounted to harassment, creating a hostile environment for Orr as a newly elected council member. The post made on Oct. 4, 2025, was deemed a continuation of the harassment, fostering negativity towards Orr.
The report recommended that Sim issue a formal apology to Orr for misusing his authority and for his conduct at the press conference and on social media. In response to the report, Orr expressed a mix of vindication and concern over the impact of Sim’s comments on individuals. He criticized the mayor for exploiting communities to target fellow councilors, calling for leadership that unites rather than divides.
COPE Vancouver issued a statement demanding an apology and retractions from the mayor, asserting that Sim had created a toxic work environment for councilors and municipal staff. The party accused Sim of fabricating issues to incite ethnic tensions, leading to division instead of unity.
Mayor Sim, contesting the investigation’s findings, justified his actions as necessary amid a rise in antisemitism and hate in Canada. He defended his duty as mayor to address concerns of targeted communities, particularly the Jewish residents of Vancouver. Orr has retaliated by filing a defamation lawsuit against Sim following the mayor’s false allegation that Orr distributed illegal drugs on Christmas Day. Sim countered by stating that his remarks did not harm Orr’s reputation as Orr had previously expressed support for drug use.