Vancouver Mayor Claims Defamation Lawsuit Over False Drug Allegations Lacks Merit

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim has responded to a defamation lawsuit filed by Councillor Sean Orr, claiming his unfounded allegation that Orr distributed illegal drugs did not damage the councillor’s reputation. In court documents filed Tuesday with the B.C. Supreme Court, Sim argues that Orr’s own previous statements had already established him as someone who “supported drug use.”

Sim’s legal response contends he didn’t act “deliberately, maliciously or in bad faith” when he falsely told Chinese-language reporters in February that Orr had distributed drugs on Christmas Day. The mayor’s filing argues that Orr’s reputation was already defined by “statements he published on social media, including before his election as a COPE councillor,” which Sim claims showed support for drug use and safe supply initiatives.

The controversy began during a media roundtable at City Hall on February 6, when Sim made the unfounded claim about Orr. The allegation was later partially repeated by ABC Councillor Lenny Zhou in a video posted on WeChat around February 19, which garnered approximately 1,700 shares before being removed.

Zhou subsequently issued “an unequivocal apology” for the video. Though Sim praised Zhou for apologizing, it was only later revealed that the mayor had originated the false claim.

The self-described socialist councillor Orr, who was the top vote-getter in Vancouver’s 2025 council byelection, announced his lawsuit in March. He stated that Sim’s comments caused serious harm to his reputation and damaged his ability to serve constituents.

“Because of Ken Sim’s words, people have lost trust in me through no fault of my own, forming a dark cloud over this election and in my life beyond,” Orr said when announcing the legal action. He characterized Sim’s behavior as “flippant and reckless.”

Sim has publicly apologized for his comments, claiming he made the allegation after being shown an unverified photo by a member of the public. However, Orr stated that the mayor “failed to provide any reasonable explanation” for making the false claim publicly.

In his legal response, Sim denies any malicious intent, stating that his comments were made in reference to “the opioid drug epidemic and the deaths that Vancouver was experiencing, including through distribution of illegal narcotics, which was a matter of public interest.” He also denied Orr’s claim that he had repeatedly targeted the councillor with “other untrue allegations,” arguing that any such statements made in council meetings “constitute fair political statement.”

The mayor’s response further accuses Orr of attempting to “use the circumstances of [Sim’s] statements and subsequent apologies” as a political campaign against him. It describes the lawsuit announcement as “a staged presentation” and references a GoFundMe fundraiser supporting the lawsuit, which has raised over $48,000 from 957 donors as of Thursday evening.

“Each dollar you give is a message to Ken and all his friends that taking advantage of Vancouver will lead to consequences,” Orr says in a message on the fundraiser’s website. “Costly ones.”

The legal dispute unfolds against the backdrop of upcoming municipal elections in British Columbia this October, highlighting tensions between Sim’s ABC party, which holds a council majority, and Orr, who has been a consistent opponent of the mayor’s policies.

The Mayor’s Office stated in an email that Sim would not comment further due to the matter being before the courts. Orr did not respond to requests for an interview. Sim’s legal response asks the court to dismiss the lawsuit or that it “attract nominal damages,” with costs awarded to the mayor.