While some local politicians have scorned Premier David Eby's decision to call a snap election before the municipal races run their course, Vancouver Liberals mayoral candidate Kareem Allam is singing a different tune.
He argued that concurrent elections could present an opportunity for municipal hopefuls to get provincial parties to consider their often-overlooked needs at a time where everyone is seeking votes.
During a press conference at City Hall on Wednesday, Allam outlined the five commitments he'd like to see the next occupants of the legislature make.
Vancouver Liberals mayoral candidate Kareem Allam calls on the next provincial government to commit to:
— Sitka Media (@sitkamedia) September 24, 2026
1. SkyTrain to UBC
2. Amalgamation of UBC/uni lands and Vancouver
3. Remove Dunsmuir/Georgia Viaducts
4. Fund growth infrastructure/services
5. Speed up housing approvals pic.twitter.com/Rmh6hKQvRr
The first was extending the SkyTrain all the way to UBC.
"We need a funded commitment and a construction timeline for the Broadway Line to UBC," Allam said, pointing out that it's been in the works for a generation. "It is time to connect western Canada's largest research centre with western Canada's largest employment centre."
He also pointed out that because UBC is the second-largest commuter destination in all of Metro Vancouver, a SkyTrain out that way presents "our single biggest opportunity in the province to get cars off of roads."
Allam also called on the province to help amalgamate UBC and the university endowment lands into the city of Vancouver, a move he argued would allow for rezoning and the creation of a "new innovation corridor."
Third on his list was the demolition of the Georgia and Dunsmuir Viaducts.
"We need a provincial government to come in and expedite their removal ... to unlock housing, parks, and jobs by enabling the Northeast False Creek Plan," he said. "It is a crying shame that the dead centre of our downtown core is a parking lot."
Allam went on to ask the province to commit to funding the infrastructure and services "that growth requires," such as utilities, energy, water, and sewers. He lamented that a lack of energy was "slowing down construction, and ... our industry."
Last but not least, he called for quicker housing approvals so Vancouver can, in the words of Prime Minister Mark Carney, "build, baby, build."
Allam said all five of his requests were integral to keeping young people in the city and encouraging those who have left to return.
British Columbians will head to the polls twice in October, once for the municipal elections on the 17 and then for the provincial election a week later on the 24.
