Housing was all over the news this week, but three examples really speak to the usefulness of development cost levies in this regard — when they’re used for real affordable housing. I’ve long been critical of the City of Vancouver for its policy of waiving development cost levies or DCLs when a developer agrees to…
Category: City Hall
A fighting chance with limits on big money in politics
Last week I blogged about the very positive, upbeat COPE nomination meeting I recently attended. This week let’s take a look at the bigger picture — the likely impact of new legislation that will govern campaign financing in this fall’s municipal elections. David Eby, B.C.’s Attorney General, brought in legislation last September shortly after Vancouver’s…
COPE is definitely back!
If you support COPE and the kind of progressive policies it stands for, I’ve got good news for you. Last Sunday, I attended the COPE nomination meeting — the first COPE meeting I’ve attended in almost a year since I started stepping away from my executive role with the party. What a breath of fresh…
COPE’s nomination meeting — a party comeback highlight
This coming Sunday, June 10, at 2 p.m. the Coalition of Progressive Electors will hold its nomination meeting. COPE has done a very impressive job of rebuilding over the past few months, and this nomination meeting looks like it will be very well attended. The highlight of the meeting will be a debate between independent…
Ian Campbell: Why would you run for Vision?
If you’ve been following the amazing race for mayor in the City of Vancouver, you will be aware of the latest candidate to throw his hat in the ring — Ian Campbell, hereditary chief of the Squamish Nation and friend of Mayor Gregor Robertson. Much has been said about the fact that if Mr. Campbell…
Harry’s message: more important than ever
May 8 would have been Harry Rankin’s 98th birthday. I was reminded of this special date when I attended the premiere of The Rankin File: Legacy of a Radical at the Playhouse Theatre May 3 as part of the DOXA documentary film fest. Harry Rankin — my hero and mentor — was an unforgettable individual….
Shauna Sylvester: A Trojan horse for Vision?
Does it really appear that Vision Vancouver will not be running a mayoral candidate in this fall’s municipal election? With Vision Vancouver’s deadline for individuals seeking the party’s mayoral nomination now passed — and nobody having declared an intent — it would appear at first glance that Vision will not be running a mayoral candidate….