As the details emerge around a $150,000 contract awarded to Premier David Eby’s hand-picked Downtown Eastside (DTES) adviser, questions are mounting about transparency and value in provincial spending aimed at one of Vancouver’s most challenged neighborhoods.
Ken Sim, Vancouver’s mayor, confirmed on Wednesday that he had not been consulted about the appointment of Libby Davies as the premier’s DTES community adviser—a revelation that has sparked concerns about coordination between provincial and municipal efforts in the troubled area.
The six-month contract, awarded without a competitive process, pays Davies $25,000 monthly to provide on-the-ground insight and recommendations directly to Eby’s office. As a former MP who represented Vancouver East for 18 years until 2015, Davies brings considerable political experience, though critics question whether this justifies both the contract’s value and its direct-award nature.
“What we’re seeing is a pattern of using taxpayer dollars in ways that raise legitimate questions about process,” said opposition critic Peter Milobar. “At a time when British Columbians are struggling with affordability, they deserve to know their money is being spent effectively and transparently.”
The contract details, obtained through freedom of information requests, show Davies is tasked with meeting community members and reporting directly to the premier on potential solutions for the complex issues facing the DTES—including homelessness, mental health crises, and public safety concerns.
Eby defended the appointment during a press conference Tuesday, emphasizing Davies’ deep community connections. “Libby knows this community better than almost anyone. She’s respected across political lines and brings decades of street-level knowledge that my office needs to make better decisions.”
The premier further argued that the urgency of the DTES situation justified bypassing standard procurement processes. “We’re talking about life and death situations unfolding daily. This isn’t the time for months of bureaucratic procedure.”
However, community advocate Karen Ward expressed mixed feelings about the arrangement. “While Libby certainly understands the history here, $150,000 could fund three front-line workers for a year. The question is whether another advisory role at this price point will actually change conditions on the ground.”
Provincial records show the contract requires Davies to provide written reports directly to Eby, though these documents aren’t automatically made public. The agreement allows for approximately 20 hours of work weekly, which calculates to roughly $312 per hour.
The province’s own procurement guidelines typically require competitive processes for contracts exceeding $75,000, though exceptions exist for unique circumstances or specialized expertise. The government has invoked these exceptions in this case.
For residents like Jamie Parker, who operates a small business on the edge of the DTES, the focus on another advisory role seems disconnected from daily realities. “I’ve watched consultants and advisers come and go for years. Meanwhile, the same people are suffering on the streets. We need action, not more reports.”
Recent data from BC Housing shows that despite millions in emergency funding, the homeless population in the DTES increased 5% last year. The area saw 419 overdose calls in the first quarter of 2024 alone, according to BC Emergency Health Services.
Municipal councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung pointed to coordination gaps that the Davies appointment highlights. “When the mayor isn’t even consulted about a major provincial intervention in a critical Vancouver neighborhood, it raises questions about how effectively these different levels of government are working together.”
The contract became effective March 1 and runs until August 31, with potential for renewal. It requires Davies to facilitate “solution-focused discussions” between community groups, residents, businesses, and government agencies operating in the neighborhood.
Housing advocate Jean Swanson, herself a former city councillor, offered a nuanced perspective. “Libby understands the complexities here and won’t just push for quick political wins. The question isn’t about her capabilities—it’s whether creating another adviser position is the most effective use of limited resources.”
Premier Eby’s government has faced previous criticism for direct-award contracts, including a $750,000 agreement with a consulting firm to develop housing policy—an area where the provincial government already employs numerous specialists.
Recent polling from Research Co. suggests British Columbians are increasingly concerned about government spending accountability, with 63% of respondents saying they want more transparency around contract awards.
As Davies begins her work, the contract’s ultimate value will likely be measured not by reports produced, but by whether tangible improvements materialize for the thousands living in one of Canada’s most complex urban neighborhoods—a community where decades of interventions have often fallen short of transformative change.
