Posted by ReyFort Media
Vancouver city council is scheduled on October 8 to vote on a motion to advance the development of a Filipino cultural centre on Main Street.
An affirmative vote on the motion introduced by Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim could lead to groundbreaking at the site in 2026, based on a general timeline shared to the Filipino community by Sim’s chief of staff Trevor Ford.
One of the questions that remain is whether or not B.C. Premier David Eby is on board with this plan.
Eby and his B.C. NDP government could either support the Main Street cultural centre project or drag its feet until the next provincial election campaign.
With news and excitement rapidly spreading in the Filipino community about Sim’s motion, many are asking: “Where is David Eby?”
Eby has previously expressed support for a Filipino cultural centre, but he has yet to make known his position about the motion put forward by Sim.
In a media interview following the Lapu-Lapu festival tragedy in Vancouver, Eby talked about giving a “legacy” to the community in the form of a dedicated space for Filipino culture and heritage.
“Our government [is] committed to a cultural centre for the Filipino people, where they can gather and celebrate together,” Eby told media on May 7, 2025.
Referencing the Lapu-Lapu festival tragedy that occurred last April, Eby also told reporters that this is the “moment where I think we’ll see that a positive legacy is coming out of this”.
On September 20, Sim’s chief of staff Trevor Ford spoke in a well-attended townhall with the Filipino community at a business centre in Richmond.
Ford said that the City of Vancouver is moving with “lightning speed” to deliver a Filipino cultural centre on Main Street.
“Let’s get it done,” Ford said, relaying the Mayor Sim’s message to the community.
Ford explained that if Sim’s motion gets approved by council on October 8, groundbreaking could happen at the site in six to 12 months, meaning 2026 is the year development will start.
On September 16, 2025, Sim introduced the title of his motion in council. The full text of the motion will be published in the coming days.
A day before Sim made notice of his motion, the Vancouver mayor endorsed the Filipino Legacy Society of Canada (FLS), a group that is working to deliver a cultural centre in the city.
FLS announced its formation in a media release on September 15, which contained the support of Sim.
“The Filipino community has enriched Vancouver for generations, through culture, food, business, and values,” Sim in the FLS release.
“The launch of the Filipino Legacy Society marks an important milestone, and I look forward to seeing their vision continue to grow for the benefit of the entire city,” the Vancouver mayor said.
FLS is chaired by Warren Dean Flandez. Joining Flandez are Maj Yee, vice-chair; Christine de Castro, secretary; Lorentz Sy, treasurer; and board directors Anthony Remedios, Socorro Newland, and Victor Gelano.
In 2022, the B.C. NDP government of Premier Eby committed to advance the creation of a provincial Filipino cultural centre.
In that year, Eby directed then tourism, arts, culture and sports minister Lana Popham and then parliamentary secretary for anti-racism Mable Elmore to work on a provincial cultural centre for the community.
It marked the first time that a B.C. premier has publicly instructed a member of cabinet or a parliamentary secretary to advance a cultural centre for the Filipino community in the province.
Elmore is the only Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in B.C. who is of Filipino descent. In addition to being MLA for Vancouver-Kensington, Elmore is currently Deputy Speaker of the legislative assembly.
In July 2025, the B.C. government released its “What We Heard Report” following consultations with the community about a centre.
In a message forming part of the report, Anne Kang, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, said that the report will guide next steps on how the government can support the development of a Filipino cultural centre.
“We’ve heard your call for a dedicated space — a provincial Filipino cultural centre — where heritage is honoured, stories are shared and community connections are deepened,” Kang said.
In 2023, the City of Vancouver approved a motion to inform Eby of the city’s support for a Filipino cultural centre located in Vancouver.
The 2023 motion by Councillor Lenny Zhou acknowledged the role played by the Filipino community in making Vancouver a vibrant and welcoming place.
In introducing his 2025 motion in council on September 16, 2025, Sim announced that his motion will be co-presented by Councillor Zhou.
Sim’s chief of staff Ford explained in the September 20 townhall organized by FLS that many of the details being sought at the gathering will be revealed when the mayor’s motion is published.
Responding to a question, Ford said that the office of Sim is in discussions with Eby’s government.
A petition is currently making the rounds of the community to express support for Sim’s motion for a Filipino cultural centre on Main Street.
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim And Councillor Lenny Zhou Push For Filipino Cultural Centre
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim on September 16, 2025 introduced a motion in city council to advance the development on Main Street of a Filipino cultural centre.
Sim announced in council that the motion will be presented by Councillor Lenny Zhou.
The motion for a Filipino cultural centre on Main Street is up for deliberation by council on October 8.
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Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim Wants Filipino Cultural Centre On Main Street And Endorses Filipino Legacy Society
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim wants the city to become the home of a Filipino cultural centre.
Specifically, Sim likes to see the cultural centre built on Main Street, one of the most vibrant and culturally diverse thoroughfares in Vancouver.
To make this vision a reality, the Vancouver mayor on September 16, 2025 notified council that he is introducing a motion to develop a Filipino cultural centre on Main Street.
Council is expected to vote on Sim’s motion in early October in what is widely anticipated as a significant marker in the Filipino community’s quest for a cultural centre.
A day before Sim made notice of his motion, the Vancouver mayor endorsed the Filipino Legacy Society of Canada (FLS), a group that is working to deliver a cultural centre in the city.
FLS announced its formation in a media release on September 15, which contained the support of Sim.
“The Filipino community has enriched Vancouver for generations, through culture, food, business, and values,” Sim in the FLS release.
“The launch of the Filipino Legacy Society marks an important milestone, and I look forward to seeing their vision continue to grow for the benefit of the entire city,” the Vancouver mayor said.
In its media release on September 15, FLS stated that it is guided by the principle of ““Honouring the Past, Shaping the Future”.
The group is composed of long-time community champions and accomplished professionals.
FLS is chaired by Warren Dean Flandez, a Juno-nominated artist, civic leader, educator, entrepreneur and father of two.
“This cultural centre is about honouring those who came before us and inspiring those who will follow. It is not only a Filipino project; it is a Canadian legacy, a place where heritage is celebrated, pride is nurtured, and bridges are built across communities,” Flandez said in the media release.
With Flandez at FLS are Maj Yee, vice-chair; Christine de Castro, secretary; Lorentz Sy, treasurer; and board directors Anthony Remedios, Socorro Newland, and Victor Gelano.
In addition to FLS, grassroots organizations in the community, particularly the United Filipino Canadian Associations in B.C. or UFCABC, have been campaigning for a centre.
Filipinos have a long history in B.C. dating back to the 1880s. The fast-growing community is now more than 170,000 strong.
Filipinos make for 3.5 percent of the province’s total population. Filipinos are projected to more than double in number by 2041.
In 2022, the B.C. government committed to advance the creation of a provincial Filipino cultural centre.
In that year, B.C. Premier David Eby directed then tourism minister Lana Popham and then parliamentary secretary Mable Elmore to work on a provincial cultural centre for the community.
It marked the first time that a B.C. premier has publicly instructed a member of cabinet or a parliamentary secretary to advance a cultural centre for the Filipino community in the province.
Elmore is the only Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in B.C. who is of Filipino descent. In addition to being MLA for Vancouver-Kensington, Elmore is currently Deputy Speaker of the legislative assembly.
Elmore has been advocating for a Filipino centre since her first election as MLA in 2009.
In 2023, the City of Vancouver approved a motion to inform Eby of the city’s support for a Filipino
cultural centre located in Vancouver.
The 2023 motion by Councillor Lenny Zhou acknowledged the role played by the Filipino community in making Vancouver a vibrant and welcoming place.
By bringing forward a new motion in 2025 to advance the creation of a Filipino cultural centre, Mayor Sim is demonstrating council’s commitment to the initiative.
In July 2025, the B.C. government released its “What We Heard Report” following consultations with the community about a centre.
In a message forming part of the report, Anne Kang, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, said that the report will guide next steps on how the government can support the development of a Filipino cultural centre.
“We’ve heard your call for a dedicated space — a provincial Filipino cultural centre — where heritage is honoured, stories are shared and community connections are deepened,” Kang said.
The federal government has also pledged to support the creation of a Filipino cultural centre in B.C.
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