A well-known face is re-entering Vancouver politics, this time on the federal stage.
Former Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson will run for the Liberal social gathering within the new using of Vancouver Fraserview-South Burnaby. Outgoing Liberal MP Harjit Sajjan at present represents the realm.
“We’re in unprecedented instances, our nation is actually underneath siege from President (Donald) Trump, our sovereignty is on the desk, which is unthinkable,” Robertson informed International Information of his resolution to re-enter the political enviornment.
“It is a time after we all have to face up.”
Robertson was mayor of Vancouver from 2008 to 2018, and served as a provincial MLA in Vancouver-Fairview from 2005 to 2008 earlier than that.
He’s additionally recognized for his entrepreneurship, as a co-founder of the Glad Planet juice firm.
It’s a resume Robertson stated would make him a great MP.
“As a former mayor and likewise elected in British Columbia, I understand how provincial and metropolis governments work and I can convey that voice to Ottawa,” he stated.
“That is the time after we want experience, we want expertise, and bringing my very own enterprise and entrepreneurship to the desk and figuring out how cities work will likely be useful I believe for Canada.”
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Not everybody agrees.
The Conservative Get together was fast to assault Robertson’s nomination, accusing him of being a inexperienced “extremist” who presided over report will increase in house costs, taxes and drug deaths within the area.
“If this can be a star candidate, I’m frightened however I’m probably not shocked as a result of this can be a authorities that basically does tout so most of the values that the previous mayor touts,” stated Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola Conservative candidate Frank Caputo.
“Protected provide that has proven itself to be not secure, chopping off our assets — these are the varieties of issues the place the Liberals don’t have a plan in terms of prosperity for Canadians.”
Robertson famously pledged to “finish homelessness” in Vancouver by 2015. A decade later, the issue has solely grown worse.
Requested if he regretted making the pledge, Robertson informed International Information he nonetheless feels it is very important set “massive targets,” one thing he’d proceed to pursue at a federal stage.
He additionally defended his report in workplace, saying Vancouver had the strongest municipal financial system in Canada throughout his time period, constructed extra reasonably priced housing than any earlier administration, and stood on the world stage each for the 2010 Olympics and the Ladies’s World Cup.
“We had a really aggressive and bold strategy with homelessness and reasonably priced housing,” Robertson stated.
“We didn’t understand it on the time, however we had been on the entrance finish of a worldwide housing disaster, which has now unfold proper throughout B.C., throughout Canada, internationally.”
UBC political scientist Max Cameron stated Liberal Chief Mark Carney’s option to faucet the previous mayor suggests he needs to place a contemporary stamp on the incumbent social gathering.
“It’s going to be a part of an effort by Carney, particularly, to indicate that though he’s operating for the Liberal Get together, which has been in workplace for the final 10 years, he represents change, so he’s going to wish to usher in some new faces,” he stated.
Bringing in somebody who had beforehand been elected as a provincial New Democrat may additionally sign the Liberals wish to be seen as a “massive tent” social gathering, he added.
Canadians will go to the polls on April 28.
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