Listen to this article
Estimated 4 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
Groups who support sex workers are calling on the City of Vancouver to reverse recent cuts that they say could put lives at risk.
The city has cut one of its two sex worker safety planner positions, as it looks to shave costs in response to a direction from Mayor Ken Sim’s ABC council majority to freeze property taxes this year.
The two positions, advocates say, were a key recommendation of the provincial inquiry into missing and murdered women convened in the aftermath of serial killer Robert Pickton‘s conviction.
The roles are key to preventing violence and to improving communication and trust between community groups, sex workers, police and the city, they say.
WATCH | Loss of support services worry Vancouver sex workers:
Vancouver sex workers frustrated over loss of supportive service PACE Society
The closure of the PACE Society and the Wish Drop-In Centre leaves sex workers in Vancouver with even fewer options to turn to when they need support. The Early Edition’s Stephen Quinn spoke with sex workers Olive Bing and Sarah Moon on what the loss means to the people who used PACE’s services.
Angela Wu, executive director of non-profit SWAN Vancouver, called the cuts a “huge blow,” adding that it comes during one of the most violent years for sex workers in memory.
“It does send a message to predators that it’s not a priority anymore,” she said.
Wu said it has historically been difficult for sex workers to report violence to police, and the loss of the safety planner position risks cutting a “vital pipeline” to the city and, by extension, the Vancouver Police Department.
“It’s just incredibly dangerous for our community,” she said. “What it’s saying is that the city prioritizes, you know, money and other issues over people’s lives.”
WATCH | Vancouver budget freezes property tax, hikes police funding:
Vancouver passes 2026 budget with property tax freeze, $50M more for police
Vancouver city council passed its heavily debated budget today. It includes a property tax freeze, $50 million more for police and cuts to several departments. Our Justin McElroy was at city hall today.
It’s a concern echoed by PACE Society board member Sarah Resendes.
She said the move risks driving sex workers underground and into riskier situations, particularly as the city gears up for the FIFA 2026 World Cup — including by boosting police and security resources.
“It will absolutely erode the trust that sex workers have with city institutions … namely the police, which we already have an incredible distrust with,” she said.
The cuts also come as resources for sex workers are already under pressure.
Last year, PACE permanently closed its 24/7 Vancouver drop-in centre after 30 years of operations due to a lack of funding.
“And other services and supports for sex workers have also closed or significantly had to reduce their capacity,” Resendes said.
“Sex workers in Vancouver, they do not have a safe space or do not have the same number of safe spaces anymore, which is increasing their risk of violence.”
Resendes suggested the city reassess the police department’s budget rather than cut funding for the sex worker safety position. Despite the property tax freeze, Vancouver’s 2026 budget included a $50 million increase for the VPD.
In a statement, the city said it was working through “organizational and operational changes” to reflect council’s priorities.
LISTEN | Sex workers wonder what’s next after support centre closes in Downtown Eastside :
The Early Edition9:50Vancouver-area sex workers frustrated over loss of supportive service PACE Society
We speak with two sex workers who used the services and explain why they were so important.
“There have been changes across the city, including in areas supporting social planning and services,” the statement reads.
“As part of this work, some functions are changing or being realigned while ensuring service priorities continue to advance.”
However, the city said some of the work performed by the safety planner position had “evolved over time” to be addressed by other city departments.
It added that gender and sex worker safety remain a priority and that the city had approved $1.1 million in funding approved for organizations in the sector in 2026.