Mayor’s Remarks Linked to False Allegation Against Councillor
Vancouver’s mayor, Ken Sim, is facing political backlash after it emerged he made a false allegation against city councillor Sean Orr, accusing him of handing out illegal drugs on Christmas Day — a claim that has now been widely debunked. Sim’s comments were made during a briefing for Chinese-language reporters and later became part of a statement shared on social media before being retracted by another councillor.
How the Claim Unfolded
During a news briefing earlier this month, Sim said in English that Orr “was handing out illegal drugs on Christmas Day to people on the streets.” Orr has denied the allegation, noting he wasn’t even in Vancouver on Christmas Day and calling the statement “blatant disinformation.” A recording of Sim’s remarks was cited in reports and has intensified scrutiny of his conduct.
The claim later appeared on Chinese-language social platforms via a post by Councillor Lenny Zhou, who subsequently apologized for sharing incorrect information. Sim publicly thanked Zhou for acknowledging the error, but did not initially disclose that he himself had made the original false claim.
Councillor ‘Shocked and Appalled’
Orr said he was “absolutely shocked and appalled” upon learning Sim’s comments came from the mayor, stressing that he had never handed out illegal drugs and had no idea where the accusation originated. He has said he may pursue legal counsel over the matter, describing it as deliberate misinformation targeted at a community group.
Critics argue the incident could mislead vulnerable populations and deepen mistrust in local politics, especially as talks about city policies on drug use and public safety continue. Calls for a clearer apology from Sim — including directly to the Chinese-speaking community — have grown louder as the story circulates.
This situation underscores how unchecked statements by public leaders can quickly become a major issue in municipal governance, with potential legal and ethical consequences for those involved.
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