Vancouver Council Watch
How does M De Genova actually vote?
A look at how Councillor M De Genova has voted across every council meeting the city has published — and what those votes are about.
Pushes back on Housing & rezoning and By-laws & admin
Councillor M De Genova most often votes against motions that still passed on Housing & rezoning, By-laws & admin and Budget & fees — 124× on housing & rezoning alone.
Housing & rezoning 124×By-laws & admin 85×Budget & fees 77×
MD
Melissa De Genova
CouncillorNPAleft Oct 2022
on council since Nov 2018 · lives in Grenville-McDougall
On council in the records: 2016–2022 · 4,608 votes cast
What they care about
Melissa De Genova: opposes densification and rezonings (124× against motions that still passed).
Their push-back has been steady across their time on council.
What they're for
No clear deviation above the council norm.
What they push back on
Housing & rezoningsteady
opposes densification and rezonings
124×
By-laws & adminsteady
challenges by-law and administrative motions
85×
Budget & feessteady
pushes back on budgets, fees and taxes
77×
Environmentsteady
resists environment and climate actions
16×
"Push back on" counts no-votes on motions that still carried; "% yes" compares their in-favour rate to the council-wide average on that issue. Full vote-by-vote record below.
1The story
In plain terms: across 4,608 recorded votes, 84% were in favour and 14% in opposition. Their disagreements cluster around Housing & rezoning, By-laws & admin and Budget & fees (561 dissents total), while they've backed carried motions on 4050 occasions. They attended 61 of the 128 full council meetings in the records (48%).
2What they vote on
509
times against a motion that still passed
2401
motions they helped carry (by issue)
48%
council attendance (61/128)
Where they push back
Issues where they voted against a motion that was still carried — their most consistent disagreements. Each motion links to the City's published agenda. Don't know what a motion type means? See Motions, explained →
Housing & rezoning124×
5. Increasing Affordable Housing Options through Character House Incentives in RS Zones - …
Full motion text
5. Increasing Affordable Housing Options through Character House Incentives in RS Zones - amendment
Other motion: A council motion that doesn't fit a standard category. The agenda text has the detail.
Voted Oct 24, 2019
Rental Incentives Review Phase II Report Back - Amendment to Amendment Q
Report Back: Staff presenting findings or progress on something. Usually no money or new policy is attached — it's information, not a decision.
Rental Incentives Review Phase II Report Back - Amend G (prior to reconsideration)
Report Back: Staff presenting findings or progress on something. Usually no money or new policy is attached — it's information, not a decision.
By-laws & admin85×
Rental Incentives Review Phase II Report Back - Amendment to Amendment Q
Report Back: Staff presenting findings or progress on something. Usually no money or new policy is attached — it's information, not a decision.
Rental Incentives Review Phase II Report Back - Amend G (prior to reconsideration)
Report Back: Staff presenting findings or progress on something. Usually no money or new policy is attached — it's information, not a decision.
R1b Climate Emergency – By-law Updates Applicable to Existing Detached Homes (A)
By-law: A formal city rule. Adopting or amending a by-law creates or changes a binding regulation (parking, noise, development standards, etc.).
Budget & fees77×
2. Vancouver Development Cost Levy By-law Updates (2023-2032) - sections B, D to J
By-law: A formal city rule. Adopting or amending a by-law creates or changes a binding regulation (parking, noise, development standards, etc.).
Voted Jun 22, 2022
Report 5. 2023 Fee Increases for Rezoning, Development, Building, and Other Related Permit…
Full motion text
Report 5. 2023 Fee Increases for Rezoning, Development, Building, and Other Related Permits
CD-1 Rezoning: A request to change the zoning rules for specific properties so they can be built taller or denser than current rules allow. If approved, new buildings at those addresses become legal.
3. Report Back on Empty Homes Tax 2021 Tax Rate Increase
Report Back: Staff presenting findings or progress on something. Usually no money or new policy is attached — it's information, not a decision.
Voted Nov 25, 2020
Environment16×
R1c Annual Carbon Pollution Limits for Existing Large Commercial and Multifamily Buildings
Other motion: A council motion that doesn't fit a standard category. The agenda text has the detail.
R1b Climate Emergency – By-law Updates Applicable to Existing Detached Homes (A)
By-law: A formal city rule. Adopting or amending a by-law creates or changes a binding regulation (parking, noise, development standards, etc.).
R1a. Climate Emergency – By-law and Policy Updates Applicable to New Buildings - Amendme…
Full motion text
R1a. Climate Emergency – By-law and Policy Updates Applicable to New Buildings - Amendment as Amended
By-law: A formal city rule. Adopting or amending a by-law creates or changes a binding regulation (parking, noise, development standards, etc.).
Streets & transit16×
RR5. CD-1 Rezoning: 949 West 41st Avenue and 5469-5507 Willow Street (Oakridge Transit Cen…
Full motion text
RR5. CD-1 Rezoning: 949 West 41st Avenue and 5469-5507 Willow Street (Oakridge Transit Centre) - Amendment to the Referral
CD-1 Rezoning: A request to change the zoning rules for specific properties so they can be built taller or denser than current rules allow. If approved, new buildings at those addresses become legal.
Voted Jul 23, 2020
3. Preserving Bus Ridership During COVID and Beyond (Member’s Motion B.1) - final vote o…
Full motion text
3. Preserving Bus Ridership During COVID and Beyond (Member’s Motion B.1) - final vote on C
Other motion: A council motion that doesn't fit a standard category. The agenda text has the detail.
Voted Apr 14, 2021
7. Prioritizing Commercial Drive as a Pedestrian-First High Street - reconsidered
Other motion: A council motion that doesn't fit a standard category. The agenda text has the detail.
Voted May 27, 2021
Public safety11×
6. Supporting Community-Led Public Safety in Mount Pleasant - amendment
Other motion: A council motion that doesn't fit a standard category. The agenda text has the detail.
Voted Jul 21, 2021
6. Supporting Community-Led Public Safety in Mount Pleasant - D
Other motion: A council motion that doesn't fit a standard category. The agenda text has the detail.
Voted Jul 21, 2021
6. Supporting Community-Led Public Safety in Mount Pleasant - C
Other motion: A council motion that doesn't fit a standard category. The agenda text has the detail.
Voted Jul 21, 2021
What they've pushed through
Issues where they voted in favour of motions that carried — the work they backed into law.
Housing & rezoning1115×
9. Exploring Amendments to Short-Term Rental Policy and an Affordable Rental Housing Fund …
Full motion text
9. Exploring Amendments to Short-Term Rental Policy and an Affordable Rental Housing Fund at the City of Vancouver
Rental Incentive: A payment or tax break to a developer in exchange for building or keeping affordable rental units.
Voted Jul 10, 2019
6c. REZONING: 930 West 49th Avenue and 6525 Fremlin Street
CD-1 Rezoning: A request to change the zoning rules for specific properties so they can be built taller or denser than current rules allow. If approved, new buildings at those addresses become legal.
Voted Jul 11, 2019
6b. REZONING: 1008 West 47th Avenue and 6335-6363 Oak Street
CD-1 Rezoning: A request to change the zoning rules for specific properties so they can be built taller or denser than current rules allow. If approved, new buildings at those addresses become legal.
Voted Jul 11, 2019
By-laws & admin683×
9. Exploring Amendments to Short-Term Rental Policy and an Affordable Rental Housing Fund …
Full motion text
9. Exploring Amendments to Short-Term Rental Policy and an Affordable Rental Housing Fund at the City of Vancouver
Rental Incentive: A payment or tax break to a developer in exchange for building or keeping affordable rental units.
Voted Jul 10, 2019
RR1 A City-wide Plan for Vancouver: Report Back on General Planning and Engagement Process
Report Back: Staff presenting findings or progress on something. Usually no money or new policy is attached — it's information, not a decision.
Voted Jul 16, 2019
4. 5805 Wales Street: Amendment to Parking By-law
By-law: A formal city rule. Adopting or amending a by-law creates or changes a binding regulation (parking, noise, development standards, etc.).
Voted Sep 11, 2019
Budget & fees400×
2. 2020-2024 Budget Outlook
Other motion: A council motion that doesn't fit a standard category. The agenda text has the detail.
Voted Jul 10, 2019
Fire Permits and Services Fees and Fire Related Ticket Offenses
Other motion: A council motion that doesn't fit a standard category. The agenda text has the detail.
7. Increasing the Empty Homes Tax to Five Percent and Improving Compliance (Member's Motio…
Full motion text
7. Increasing the Empty Homes Tax to Five Percent and Improving Compliance (Member's Motion B.3) - amendment to the amendment
Other motion: A council motion that doesn't fit a standard category. The agenda text has the detail.
Voted Apr 27, 2022
Environment94×
A2 - Travel Approval Request - Livable Cities Forum: Building Better Communities through R…
Full motion text
A2 - Travel Approval Request - Livable Cities Forum: Building Better Communities through Resilience - October 28, 2019
Other motion: A council motion that doesn't fit a standard category. The agenda text has the detail.
R1d Non-Market Housing Climate Resilient Retrofit Grant
Grants & Funding: The city giving money to an organization, program, or community project.
R1a Climate Emergency – By-law and Policy Updates Applicable to New Buildings (A to E)
By-law: A formal city rule. Adopting or amending a by-law creates or changes a binding regulation (parking, noise, development standards, etc.).
Streets & transit77×
4. 5805 Wales Street: Amendment to Parking By-law
By-law: A formal city rule. Adopting or amending a by-law creates or changes a binding regulation (parking, noise, development standards, etc.).
Voted Sep 11, 2019
Honouring Our Veterans and Those Who Serve With Free Year-Round Parking in the City of Van…
Full motion text
Honouring Our Veterans and Those Who Serve With Free Year-Round Parking in the City of Vancouver
Other motion: A council motion that doesn't fit a standard category. The agenda text has the detail.
2. Encouraging EV Charging at Gas Stations and Parking Lots - Climate Emergency Action Pla…
Full motion text
2. Encouraging EV Charging at Gas Stations and Parking Lots - Climate Emergency Action Plan
Other motion: A council motion that doesn't fit a standard category. The agenda text has the detail.
Voted May 19, 2022
Public safety32×
Deterring and Preventing Money Laundering and the Business of Organized Crime in the City …
Full motion text
Deterring and Preventing Money Laundering and the Business of Organized Crime in the City of Vancouver
Other motion: A council motion that doesn't fit a standard category. The agenda text has the detail.
Voted Jan 29, 2019
Deterring and Preventing Money Laundering and the Business of Organized Crime in the City …
Full motion text
Deterring and Preventing Money Laundering and the Business of Organized Crime in the City of Vancouver - Amendment
Other motion: A council motion that doesn't fit a standard category. The agenda text has the detail.
Voted Jan 29, 2019
Motion B.7 - Collecting Fines & and Exploring Ways to Recover Costs Related to Public Safe…
Full motion text
Motion B.7 - Collecting Fines & and Exploring Ways to Recover Costs Related to Public Safety in the City of Vancouver’s Entertainment District (Referral)
Other motion: A council motion that doesn't fit a standard category. The agenda text has the detail.
Voted Feb 12, 2019
How they split all their votes
In Favour 84%In Opposition 14%Abstain 2%
3The fine print
Affiliation: NPA. Party affiliation is sourced from Wikipedia's council roster; the City of Vancouver's own pages are deliberately party-neutral. Councillors are elected at-large (Vancouver has no wards).
How we calculated this
We pulled every council vote the City of Vancouver has published (over 80,000 records) and counted this member's. 'Dissent' means they voted In Opposition to a motion that was still carried — i.e. they went against the final outcome. Attendance is measured against full Council meetings (not committee meetings). Issue categories are assigned by matching keywords in the official agenda text (e.g. 'rezoning', 'housing', 'budget') — a transparent, auditable rule set, not AI. This is our own tally of public records.