Vancouver Councillor Issues Formal Apology Over Controversial Video Statements
ABC Vancouver city councillor Lenny Zhou has publicly apologized for posting a Chinese-language video in which he made serious allegations against fellow councillors, claiming they were drug users and had distributed drugs on Vancouver streets during the Christmas period. The video, which appeared on WeChat last week, sparked immediate controversy and condemnation from political colleagues.
Retraction and Apology Issued Jointly with Mayor
On Tuesday afternoon, Zhou issued a formal statement of apology, acknowledging that his remarks were based on incorrect information. "In that video, I made remarks regarding other Vancouver city councillors. My comments were based on incorrect information, and for that I unequivocally apologize," Zhou stated in a joint release issued alongside ABC Mayor Ken Sim.
The councillor confirmed he had retracted his statements and removed the video from social media platforms. "I am retracting my statement, and I've taken down the video," Zhou declared, while maintaining his opposition to certain supportive housing policies in the city.
Opposition Councillors Respond to Allegations
Earlier on Tuesday, opposition councillors Pete Fry, Rebecca Bligh, Sean Orr, and Lucy Maloney issued their own statement condemning what they called "inflammatory and harmful misinformation" in Zhou's video. At a press conference, Fry revealed that Zhou had characterized supportive housing facilities as "drug dens" and suggested non-ABC councillors not only supported drug use but were themselves users and dealers.
"Zhou went on to suggest non-ABC councillors not only support drug use, but themselves are drug users and drug dealers, openly distributing drugs on the street at Christmas," Fry stated during the conference.
Fry offered a categorical denial of the allegations, stating: "Nobody's a drug dealer, I don't think anybody's a drug user. Certainly not drug dealers and certainly not distributing drugs in public on Christmas." He added that he had been in Halifax during the holiday period in question.
Video's Reach and Political Context
The controversial video reportedly garnered significant attention on social media before its removal, with Fry noting it had received over 1,000 approvals and 1,700 reposts. The incident occurs against the backdrop of ongoing debates about supportive housing policies in Vancouver, with Zhou maintaining his position against what he calls "net new supportive housing" while acknowledging his video approach was inappropriate.
"I will continue to fight for Vancouverites, but in this case, I did not live up to the standards that I strive for," Zhou stated in his apology, separating his policy positions from his method of communication.
Mayor's Response and Broader Implications
Mayor Ken Sim thanked Zhou for "acknowledging his mistake and taking responsibility for sharing information that was not accurate." Sim also noted Zhou's work as "a passionate advocate for Vancouver's Chinese community" who works to ensure residents, particularly seniors and families who rely on in-language updates, understand municipal developments.
The controversy highlights the increasingly complex intersection of language-specific political communication, social media dissemination, and substantive policy debates in Vancouver's municipal politics. Fry suggested Zhou's accusations were intended to "whip up sentiment against supportive housing" and create negative associations between opposition councillors and drug-related issues.
As the video circulates in Chinese-language communities despite its removal from official channels, the incident raises questions about accountability, fact-checking, and appropriate discourse in Vancouver's diverse political landscape.
