Vancouver Rolling Stones stunts prompt integrity complaint

Ken Sim’s attempts at being Vancouver’s rock-and-roll mayor ended up going before the city’s Office of the Integrity Commissioner.

An unnamed citizen submitted a complaint against Sim and councillors Sarah Kirby-Yung, Mike Klassen, and Peter Meiszner, saying they were concerned that the civic politicians’ promotion of the Rolling Stones upcoming show in Vancouver “were a potential conflict of interest and a misuse of influence for non-official purposes.”

In November, the Rolling Stones logo was lit up on City Hall. Sim also posted a video of himself welcoming the band’s announcement that it would be bringing its Hackney Diamonds tour to Vancouver in July.

“Hey, Mick, Keith, Ronnie, we are super stoked that you decided to come back to Vancouver to play once again,” Sim said in the video on Nov. 21, 2023. “In Vancouver, you have the biggest Rolling Stones fans and they are going to lose their shit next summer when you guys are rocking it out at BC Place. So thanks for being awesome and thanks for bringing your swagger to Vancouver.”

The complainant said the activities promoting the concert “were a possible violation of section 4.5 of the Code of Conduct By-law,” which says councillors “must not use, or permit the use of, City land, facilities, or equipment for non-City business.”

However, the integrity commissioner ruled there was no violation. Lisa Southern says the concert promoter actually paid $500 for a licence to display the Rolling Stones logo on City Hall, and also covered all the costs.

“The use of City administrative resources required to coordinate approval of the display was more than offset by the $500 paid by the Promoter. While it was a small amount, there was a net revenue for the City,” Southern wrote in her report.

“I find the display of the Rolling Stones logo on City Hall was City business. The circumstances around the event resulted in net revenue for the City and the promotion did not involve personal use of City property by the Respondent Councillors or Mayor Sim.”

Southern says the topic of whether city property, including City Hall, should be used for marketing to generate revenue is something that is under review. Currently, however, she notes there’s nothing in the Code of Conduct Bylaw that prohibits this.

The Rolling Stones are set to play in Vancouver on Friday, July 5, at BC Place.