Press Release: UNITE HERE Local 40 Takes City of Vancouver to Court Challenging Approval of Luxury Floating Hotel

Vancouver, BC – UNITE HERE Local 40 is taking the City of Vancouver to court challenging City Council’s approval of a controversial luxury floating hotel development at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

The Union is asking the Supreme Court of British Columbia to quash Council’s April 14, 2026, decision approving the proposed 250-room floating hotel, or “floatel,” over concerns that critical information about the project was withheld, denying the public a fair hearing process before Council voted to approve the project.

Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre Ltd. submitted the rezoning application on behalf of Sunborn Group, the international mega-yacht hotel company behind similar floating hotel developments in other countries. The applicant needed the City to approve significant changes to current zoning regulations to move forward on a project which will permanently alter one of Vancouver’s most iconic public spaces.

The Union argues the public hearing process was procedurally flawed because key presentation materials and visual renderings available before the hearing minimized the project’s visual impacts, while new renderings presented during the public hearing depicted substantially different views of the floating hotel and its effect on the waterfront.

“This project should not have been approved,” said Zailda Chan, President of UNITE HERE Local 40. “Council approved a massive luxury hotel on Vancouver’s waterfront without giving the public the full picture. Vancouver residents deserve a fair and transparent public process, not one that erodes public trust.”

UNITE HERE Local 40, the union for hospitality workers, opposed the floating hotel proposal. The Union urged Council not to prioritize luxury tourism development over the public interest, particularly for a project that does not address Vancouver’s urgent affordability challenges.

The petition seeks an order setting aside the City’s approval and sending the matter back for reconsideration through a new public hearing process with proper disclosure of all relevant materials.

The case has been filed against the City of Vancouver and Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre Ltd. under British Columbia’s Judicial Review Procedure Act.

CONTACT : Michelle Travis, [email protected], 778-960-9785