The end of January did not work out well for Vancouver’s mayor who appears to believe that the City should be treated like a corporation with his Council simply acting as financial managers and accountants. Through a freedom of information (FOI) request, it was revealed that the Mayor’s Budget Task Force could only be bothered…
Category: Vancouver election
More cracks in the NPA Titanic
If previous revelations of infiltration by the alt-right into the NPA board of directors weren’t enough to sink the ship, this week two more icebergs closed in on it — one small, the other larger and much more destructive. COVID-19 has been a public health crisis for over a year. Now, unfortunately, things are taking…
Is the NPA on life-support?
When the provincial NDP were elected in 2017, one of their first orders of business was a very positive change to campaign financing at the municipal level. Within months, they passed legislation prohibiting donations to municipal political parties from corporations and unions, and banning individual donations over $1,200. Vancouver’s two developer-friendly municipal parties — Vision…
Imagining a different Vancouver with Kennedy Stewart
I was reading Mike Howell’s interview with Mayor Kennedy Stewart in the January 7 Courier, and I was struck by the extent to which our new mayor appears to be genuinely interested in collaboration with all members of Vancouver city council, no matter what their party is. The interview got me thinking about how differently…
2018: A year of ups and downs for social justice
This is my last blog of 2018, so now is a good time to reflect on some of the highlights centering on social justice that were significant to me this year. To start, I was so heartened to witness the comeback of COPE, a party very important to me and one I’ve been heavily involved…
Unanimous vote on Vancouver tenants’ rights is a game changer
On Tuesday, December 4, COPE Councillor Jean Swanson tenants’ protection motion finally came before city council for a vote. In the week leading up to the vote, more than 300 tenants spoke eloquently to council about the need for protection when landlords decide to renovict them. See my last blog (Secure tenants make for a…
My tips for new city councillors
Of Vancouver’s 11-member city council —10 councillors and the mayor — only two have any previous experience on city council. The remaining nine are all brand new to their roles. So I have a few tips I’d like to offer them from my six years of experience as a city councillor. 1. Reply to all…