OPINION: Mayor Sim’s New Business Task Force Lacks Business

(Image courtesy of CBC)

Last week, Mayor Sim launched a “Business Growth Task Force” with the purpose of “identifying barriers to business growth in Vancouver and recommending practical, evidence-based actions the City can take to cut red tape, attract investment, and support job creation across Vancouver.” While the cookie-cutter answer for the committee satisfies the why, the who that make up this committee leaves a lot to be desired.

First, it’s quite a reach to say that these are leaders of business and commerce in the city of Vancouver. Laura Ballance, Royce Chwin, and Carley Frey, members of the task force, work in the field of communications, hardly a leading economic industry in the city. Ian Tostenson, Peter Xotta, and Prem Gill are CEOs of non-profits; no titans of industry here. The only placements that make any sense are Gordon Campbell, former Premier of BC, Jeff Stibbard, Executive Chairman of JDS Energy & Mining, and Chief Wayne Sparrow, Chief of Musqueam Indian Band.

It is a big disappointment for Vancouverites and the city as a whole when the Mayor of Canada’s third biggest city cannot recruit more heavy hitters into the task force. Where is Chip Wilson, founder of Lululemon? Brian Hill, Executive Chair of Aritzia? Sharilyn Mason, CDO of Earls? The Aquilinis? The Gaglardis? The Beedies? Anyone who has actually run a business and you know, grew it? Isn’t that the whole point of a “Business Growth Task Force?” To have people on it who grew something? You wouldn’t have a timeshare salesman on a vegetable garden growth task force.

The point being that Mayor Sim can play toy soldiers with this committee all he wants, but if there are no results, Vancouverites will remember. If the recent by-election results are any indication, the Mayor will be in for a tough reelection campaign in 2026.