Share this Story : Vancouver Sun Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

AI slop, Californians, and bogus 'translators': Vancouver council went off the rails this week

Dan Fumano: After a very weird week at Vancouver city hall, a local labour leader confirmed to Postmedia that her union asked allies from outside of Canada to phone into Vancouver council in an attempt to influence a contentious urban planning decision.

You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.

AI slop and foreign influence arrived at Vancouver City Hall on Wednesday evening in what may have been the city’s strangest council meeting in at least a decade.

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.

Get exclusive access to the Vancouver Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.

Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.

Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.

Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.

Get exclusive access to the Vancouver Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.

Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.

Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.

Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.

Enjoy additional articles per month.

Get email updates from your favourite authors.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments

Enjoy additional articles per month

Get email updates from your favourite authors

Sign In or Create an Account

Tuesday’s public hearing was bizarre enough, when several representatives of a local hotel workers’ union were accused of filibustering, which included the use of supposed “translators” — one of whom confessed when pressed by councillors that they did not actually speak the language they purported to be translating.

AI slop, Californians, and bogus 'translators': Vancouver council went off the rails this week Back to video

But then Wednesday’s late-night meeting blew away the previous evening in terms of weirdness, when several people phoned in to address council, and then confessed, when asked, that they were phoning from California.

Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion.

There was an error, please provide a valid email address.

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.

The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox.

We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try........

© Vancouver Sun