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The aftermath
On November 19, 2005, I was unsuccessful in my bid for City Council, sadly. However, we ran a great campaign, thanks to a terrific group of volunteers and supporters. Just shy of 47,000 people voted for me and we placed 13th of 36. I am grateful for the sage advice of May Brown, Marguerite Ford, Bing Thom and my dear old Uncle Dave Hardwick. Without my brilliant and stalwart campaign manager, Renate Bublick, it would have been impossible. Thank you to Trent Thomas, for encouraging me to run, and for acting as Financial Agent. Thank you to the Executive Board and Members of the B.C. Motion Picture Production Industry Association for their endorsement, and to the brothers of Teamster Local 155. To my policy wonk friends - Gordon Price, Ned Jacobs, Mark Holland and Michael Mortenson, and to the commentaries of Trevor Boddy, Joe Wai, Art Cowie, Jonathan Baker, Jon Ellis, Bob Laurie, Chuck Brook, Howie Charters and David Wong, thank you for keeping me on track. Rikia Saddy -- you rock! Catherine Winckler and the Fleming Design team made this excellent website. Mairi Welman coached me through media firsts! My posse at New City both pitched in and kept me grounded - Rnold Smith, Kam Brar, Chris Ferguson, Michael Fedyk, Talia Rogers Massoud Abedi, Catherine Warren and of course, David Rockwell. Thank you Garry Chalk and Lynda Jane. Thank you Anna Lesko! Thank you B.C. Lee for tag-teaming, and congratulations! Thanks to Neil Griggs on sign detail. Also, Shirley Chan, David Hauka, Vince Hemingson, Nancy Ford, Judy Williams, Lilly Lim, Jessie Lo, Jenny Li, Sam Yu, Peter Holt, Lauris Talmey, Lynne Kent, Gloria & Kerry Sully, Adam Smith, Ian Worobetz, Malcolm Burke, Brian O'Sullivan, Rick Cohen, Brent Davies, Jill Fairclough, The May family, Rossini's gang, and Fairview Baptist Church. Everyone who came to a fundraiser, put up a lawn sign, scrutineers, dropped pamphlets -- thank you! And to my kids -- I love you. Thank you!
As for the future -- I have been encouraged to continue on this path in politics. My commitment to the City of Vancouver is stronger than ever. It is clear that that the challenges before us will require tremendous leadership, and I hope to be involved outside of Council. The proposed large scale urban development projects including Southeast False Creek, Woodwards, St. Paul's and White Caps Stadium need to be carefully analyzed and reorganized to be financially sustainable. Our transportation system needs rethinking as does our overall property tax system. Much to do!
Please stay tuned!
The Vancouver we live in today reflects 100 years of evolving planning and development priorities. But, Vancouver is no longer the last frontier. There are limits to our growth: Georgia Strait to the west, Burrard Inlet to the north, the Fraser River to the south, and Boundary Road to the east. Our population continues to increase with an expected additional 100,000 new residents in the next decade. In order for Vancouver to accommodate this growth, our planning process must anticipate the next 100 years.
I believe that the future of Vancouver requires an updated managed growth process that includes densification, or infilling of our existing neighborhoods. It requires a transportation strategy that emphasizes options other than dependence on automobiles. Living in Vancouver is a privilege. We enjoy shared green-spaces, our magnificent sea-wall and an unprecedented lifestyle. In this spirit, Vancouver’s continued growth for the next generation and beyond must employ a managed planning process. Without it we’ve lost the plot of the City we’ve inherited.
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