#VancouverMatters Ep 1: South Vancouver Deserves Better
In the very first episode of my #VancouverMatters video series, I'm taking you to a diverse, vibrant, and fast-growing part of the city - South Vancouver, where public services and infrastructure have fallen behind, and explaining why this problem deserves everyone's attention.
Town Hall with Iona and Fabian
Iona Bonamis and Fabian Contreras, two OneCity City Council nominee candidates, co-hosted a townhall where they opened up about what it's like to run for office as people of colour, and shared lessons from their professional experience in public consultation on how to genuinely engage ethnic communities.
Interview on Fairchild Radio on Political Misinformation Spread to the Chinese Community
Iona joined a panel of Chinese-Canadian community leaders on a Cantonese talk show on Fairchild Radio to discuss the fallout from Lenny Zhou and Ken Sim's false accusations against Councillor Sean Orr.
Pay City Workers a Living Wage
City of Vancouver isn’t paying all of its workers a true living wage, despite rising costs in an already expensive city. City Council voted to drop its Living Wage Employer certification in 2023, and a new motion seeks to restore it so front‑line workers can earn enough to live with dignity and stability. Sign up before 5 p.m. on Jan 20th (Tues) to speak directly to Council, or send in a comment.
Register by Monday to Vote in OneCity’s Mayoral Nomination!
OneCity members have a chance to help choose their 2026 Mayoral Candidate. Register by Jan 12th (Mon) to become a OneCity member and vote in the nomination between Amanda Burrows and William Azaroff. Help shape the progressive choice ahead of Vancouver’s municipal election.
Event: Urbanism Games Night Hosted by Iona Bonamis
Need a break from January blues? On Jan 23rd (Fri), join us for a fun evening of urbanism-themed games, conversations, and refreshments with Iona Bonamis, long-time urban planner and potential OneCity candidate. RSVP soon as space is limited!
Speak to Council about Changes to the DTES Plan and Concerns about Potential Displacements!
This Tuesday, City Council will hear more on proposed changes to the DTES Oppenheimer District housing plan. While improving the area is important, these changes risk displacing vulnerable residents by not providing enough deeply affordable housing. With new supportive housing blocked city-wide by ABC, we need more social and deeply affordable housing to keep residents in their homes. Register to speak or write to Council to make your voice heard.
Council Speeches: Iona Supports More Housing Options on Quiet, Walkable Streets
Iona Bonamis spoke in favour of more housing options on quiet, walkable streets in the September 17, 2025 meeting of the Vancouver City Council's Finance and Services Standing Committee.
Vancouver City Hall: Too Busy for Citizen Committees, but No Work for Staff?
Vancouver City Council is set to consider a proposal to cut ten of its eleven Council Advisory Committees. Paired with significant staff firing, the push to achieve “Zero Means Zero” at all costs threaten the City’s ability to manage major events, maintain services, as well as support residents and businesses, especially those in equity-deserving communities.
Inclusion and City Planning
Inclusion isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s smart city-building.
Being in a Multi-Racial Relationship
At Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival earlier this year, I was chatting with someone I’d met recently, and when I mentioned that my husband was from India and that we have two kids, they paused with curiosity. They were intrigued by the fact that I’m in a multi-racial relationship and asked whether it was difficult being with someone from a different culture.
Council Speeches: Iona Bonamis Speaks Against the "Zero Means Zero" Budget
Iona Bonamis spoke in opposition of Ken Sim and ABC's "Zero Means Zero" Budget at City Council on November 16th, 2025, citing impacts of the budget on vital city services as well as staff morale.
Council Speeches: Iona Bonamis Urging Vancouver City Council to not Abandon the Women's Equity Strategy
Iona Bonamis spoke to Vancouver City Council's Finance and Services Standing Committee on November 5th, 2025, to support a motion that would ensure that work on the Women's Equity Strategy continues, despite the City shuttering its Equity Office in the face of the "Zero Means Zero" Budget.
Iona on the Coastal Front Podcast
With the ongoing concern of the city of Vancouver's divide, OneCity Vancouver joins us on Coastal Front to discuss several topics, and ideas pertaining to their advocacy. City Council leader Christine Boyle and council candidate Iona Bonamis highlight the work they are doing for their community as dedicated Vancouverites.
Op-Ed: Five Tangible Actions to Improve Community Safety in Chinatown
Iona’s op-ed on Chinatown community safety, also published in the Vancouver Sun and Sing Tao (in Traditional Chinese).