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As the NPA goes negative, Vision and COPE get help from NDP big shots
Adrian Dix appears to be keenly interested in the outcome of the Vancouver civic election.
This week, two Georgia Straight staff members asked me about unusual election-related phone calls.
In one instance, NDP Leader Adrian Dix left a message urging the person to vote for the Vision Vancouver–COPE slate in the Vancouver civic election.
She wanted to know how Dix got her number. I told her I didn't know the answer.
The other message, to a different staff member, came from NDP president Moe Sihota. In English and Punjabi, he urged this person to vote for Vision and COPE candidates.
The second staffer asked me how Sihota would have known that he speaks Punjabi. I didn't have an answer for that question, either.
The calls came around the same time that the NPA launched its "Take Back Vancouver" campaign, which features a bunch of negative videos about Mayor Gregor Robertson. The tagline features this inexplicable line: "Play time is over. Take back Vancouver."
Meanwhile, the Globe and Mail has published an amusing story playing up the spectacle of duelling developers. Peter Wall, who built the Wall Centre, supports Robertson and reportedly helped Vision raise massive amounts of money. This past summer, the Vision-controlled council approved the rezoning of Shannon Mews. This will enable Wall to increase the number of housing units from 164 to 705 at his 4.4-hectare estate on the southwest side of the city.
Meanwhile, Rob Macdonald, who built the Capitol Residences downtown, is backing NPA mayoral candidate Suzanne Anton. His company was the recipient of a generous density bonus in 2005 from the COPE council. (He also hired former COPE councillor Jim Green after he lost the election later that year to Sam Sullivan.)
The Globe story neglected to mention that another major developer, Ian Gillespie of Westbank Projects Corp., recently held a fundraiser for Vision. This came a week after council approved a huge density bonus for its massive Telus Garden project in downtown Vancouver.
In light of all this, I have a question for the NPA: take back Vancouver from whom? Businessmen like Peter Wall and Ian Gillespie? So it can be given to another businessman named Rob Macdonald?
Of course, this wouldn't be a story if the provincial government ever decided to impose spending limits on municipal-election campaigns. They already exist in provincial and federal elections, but in the banana republic known as British Columbia, they don't apply at the local level.
Getting back to Dix and Sihota, one wonders why they're so willing to go out on a limb for Robertson. The mayor bolted from the NDP caucus in 2008 and then barely lifted a finger to help the NDP battle the B.C. Liberals in 2009.
Perhaps a bigger objective for Dix and Sihota is reelecting New Democrats on council, including Geoff Meggs, Kerry Jang, Raymond Louie, Heather Deal, and Tim Stevenson. Maybe we should start calling them "Peter Wall New Democrats".
I never thought I would see the day when Dix and Wall, a huge Gordon Campbell supporter, would be on the same side in an election. Politics certainly makes for strange bedfellows.
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Today, VISION plays the same role for the NDP, but with diminishing success. Just ask George Chow.
VISION is in some trouble this time. NDP polling is generally reliable, and shows VISION requires help from the head office. Neither Mr Dix nor Mr Sihota would waste a moment on this if the farm team was doing well. They are not.
The point is further made when recalling that Mr Robertson was not well respected in the NDP caucus. Considered a lightweight, he was the subject of many jokes and little regard. Even so, he is clearly in trouble and needs shoring up. Thus, these unusual phone calls.
It should also be recalled that Geoff Meggs' wife is Jan O'Brien. Who she? Provincial Secretary of the NDP, and union delegate to the Board of Vancity.
There's a lot at stake here, and the provincial NDP isn't taking any chances.
No one party will have a majority and the city will benefit. You do not have to vote for 10, if you feel you only are comfortable with six vote for the six you know.
we received a flyer with Libby Davies on one side endorsing the entire slates of COPE and Vision, paid for by the Vancouver and District Labour Council.
The Labour Council slate is the one I have followed through on faithfully until this very year. The entire rationale for a full slate vote was the lack of wards and this extends back to Libby Davies own service on City Council. For all I know, her countenance and endorsement on this flyer was sent to all of Vancouver.
With Vision no longer in support of wards, whatever is her current reason for backing the entire slate? Hmm? The old argument that we must not break ranks does not hold when Vision is not there for wards.
I am a little disappointed with Ms. Davies rightward drift of late ... backing apparatchik Brian Topp for federal leader, now for Vision ... give us the old Libby back who stood so strong for wards and for defending the poor.
Across the country, membership has increased more than 13% since Sept. alone.
Also, Dix is the best leader they had since Harcourt, best since founding. But they may as well call it Vision BC now. This isn't new though, Dix was at Reimer and Jang's announcement. Granted, I was too, but as said to Constance Barnes, I was like Nathan Hales there. Although in this case I was let to live.
You know, the 1%!!!!
According to the National Post and other sources, they have given Mayor R. hundreds of thousands of dollars for years, and propelled him from an owner of a juice stand on Cortez Island to the Mayor's chair!!
What do these Americans expect from Robertson and what are their goals??
Perhaps they do it because he is charming, or perhaps there is more to the story.
I suggest that, before touching the "disagree" button, people should look into the story.
Tomorrow is an important day for Vancouver.
Please go out and vote, but investigate first!!
Do a bit of research yourself. The National Post article is based on totally biased so-called research by oil sands activist Vivian Krause. The Post reporting on it shows that big oil is pretty desperate after Keystone has gone down in flames and are really trying to push more oil through BC along the coast and through Burrard Inlet. I suspect they are afraid of Robertson and would much prefer Anton and the NPA gang.
Krause's work has been featured on NPA's Mike Klassen's blog and been highlighted by several NPA candidates including Anton. It sure looks like the NPA supports Krause's goal of shipping more tar sands oil through Burrard Inlet and along the coast. A spill would be devastating to the environment and economy of Vancouver and BC. Clearly the NPA has no clue.
I agree that Krause might be biased, or not.
However, what have the oils sands to do with the mega rich Americans allegedely putting a lot of dough into Mayor's R pockets??
If NOT true, why is he not giving explanation and refusing to answer any question?? He was given many opportunities, but keeps mum.
If true, why are the 1% interfferring in our civic elections??
Can the Oily Mike clarify??