Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim misused the influence of his office to personally attack a political rival last year and should apologize to his colleague, an independent investigator has determined in a new report released Thursday.
However, an apology seems unlikely, as Sim said he disagrees with the investigator's findings. The report by Vancouver's Office of the Integrity Commissioner substantiated complaints made by Vancouver Coun. Sean Orr, who alleged Sim harassed him in April 2025 during a news conference at city hall and continued that harassment in October 2025.
Details of the Incidents
The first incident occurred in April 2025, days after Orr, representing COPE, won a council seat in a byelection but before he was sworn in. Sim, who leads ABC Vancouver's council majority, held a news conference accusing Orr of making antisemitic comments on social media years earlier and using language that incites violence.
The second incident took place six months later in October, when Sim posted on social media that he was incredibly disappointed Orr spoke at a rally affiliated with Samidoun, an entity the mayor described as a terrorist organization. The Canadian government also defines Samidoun as a terrorist group. However, Orr stated the event was a pro-Palestinian rally organized by dozens of local groups and had no known involvement from Samidoun; he would not have participated otherwise.
Investigation Findings
Alberta-based lawyer Jamie Pytel was retained to conduct the investigation after Vancouver's former integrity commissioner completed her term and the new commissioner had not yet taken office. During her probe, Pytel interviewed both Sim and Orr.
Sim argued he held the news conference in response to concerns from local Jewish leaders about Orr's prior statements and potential violence toward the Jewish community. Pytel wrote, If there was an imminent safety issue, the investigator suggests that Mayor Sim's office ought to have called the police, not a press conference.
Pytel emphasized that nothing in the report was intended to criticize the Jewish groups who appeared with Sim at the April news conference, as it was not for them to know how the mayor's office should be engaged. Those obligations rest solely with Mayor Sim. She added, Even for the most heart-wrenching and important issues, elected officials must engage their offices appropriately and not misuse the powers entrusted to them in their office.
Mayor's Response
Mayor Sim said Thursday that he had reviewed the investigator's report and respectfully disagrees with its conclusions. The matter is separate from another dispute where Sim falsely accused Orr of distributing illegal drugs earlier this year. Sim apologized for that incident, but Orr sued him for defamation in March, and that case is still before the courts.
