Gregor Robertson apologizes to Vancouver voters during mayoral debate
Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson began a debate today by issuing an apology directly to voters.
“While we’ve done a lot of good things, we’ve done very well in the past six years, there’s also things that we haven’t done particularly well, and for those in particular when I haven’t met your expectations, I am sorry,” he said.
Robertson made the comment at a CBC mayoral debate just days before the November 15 election.
“Where I’ve made mistakes, I’ll own those mistakes, and apologize and pledge myself to do better,” he added later in the debate. “And I think that’s an important leadership quality that I need to put on the table as we go to election day.”
The mayor, who is seeking reelection for a third term, also pleaded with COPE supporters to cast their votes for Vision.
“There’s so much at stake,” Robertson said as COPE mayoral candidate Meena Wong interjected. “This is an important election, and we share all the same values and ideals and it’s really important when it’s between Vision and the NPA that progressive voters ensure they vote for the progressive team that can win.”
Wong in turn asked COPE voters to stay with her party.
“If you want to vote for affordability, make sure you vote for COPE,” she stated. "And if you're a COPE supporter, stay, because we are very different from the other two parties."
Wong also concluded the debate by asking Vision supporters to "come home and support COPE".
Meanwhile, NPA mayoral candidate Kirk LaPointe contended that Robertson has been “complacent about the electorate”.
“With a few days to go, he’s awakened, and decided that he needs to do better,” he said.
The debate came on the final day of advance voting before the election. Polls around the city will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday.
Comments
27 Comments
ursa minor
Nov 12, 2014 at 1:39pm
Vision's gone too far in trying to make Vancouver a boutique city for absentee landlords and Zuckerberg wannabes. Don't blame COPE voters for seeing through a sham "progressive" agenda that only suits those who can afford $1800 a month for "affordable" housing.
If the NPA wins because COPE voters aren't cowed by Robertson's mea culpas, that's fine with me. Vancouver doesn't need two political parties dominated by real estate developers. COPE may not be pitching the most perfect platform, but they're pitching ideas worth talking about. Vision is just pitching fear.
mike
Nov 12, 2014 at 2:02pm
Way too little way way too late. You can see how desperate he is, screws us around for 8 years then when he sees his hilteresque platform falling apart, a bully. Good bye and dont let the door of city hall hit you and your goon squad in the ass on the way out
Ain't from these here parts
Nov 12, 2014 at 2:35pm
Something tells me Mike crosses at least one bridge to get into town
Richard
Nov 12, 2014 at 3:02pm
Gregor doesn't know why he's apologizing, someone told him to say it because of some polls. Gregor is controlled by developers, unions and the political machine around him. Sure he has goals and ambitions, too bad he has no ethics to guide him to that vision.
Gonch
Nov 12, 2014 at 3:09pm
What's he actually apologizing for? A broad apology is weak sauce. Specifics! What did you screw up exactly? And how will you quit screwing up if you get a third chance?
Tommy Khang
Nov 12, 2014 at 3:14pm
Kirk pretty much sums up what I thought of Vision's campaign since day one - arrogance.
They've gone blind
Nov 12, 2014 at 3:15pm
What surprises me is that 46% of pollsters are still voting for Vision! How can any rationally-minded, unbiased voter cast their ballot to a party that has hidden so much for so long, and ignored and bullied its own constituents? Is this a form of Stockholm Syndrome? I don't get it.
Odds Bodkin
Nov 12, 2014 at 3:22pm
If Lapointe does win, all you COPE'ers, dopers and 1% mopers will get what you deserve: Inaction. Perhaps you'll start feeding on yourselves in Council chambers soon, using the Greens as a salad. It will be a circus.
kits Kris
Nov 12, 2014 at 3:55pm
I just took another hard look at the 2011 election results/numbers. Gregor got 55% of the mayor's vote with a reported 34% turnout. That's short of a 19% mandate of the total voter population and that is for a fresh political party. At that time Vision was the apple in most of those voters' eye with a dismal performance by the NPA and with no COPE candidate running for mayor. If I remember correctly the mood of the voters last time was total disengagement. Voters are certainly engaged this time!
I would think that Vision is getting very worried given the re-engagement of the voters this time around and the sheer number of negative issues that seem to be sticking to them. If we see just a 10% increase in voter turnout(the advance polls are being reported as being very busy) and 10% leaning towards COPE(See the recent polling), that means Vision is going to lose substantial support and possibly 2-3 seats on council and possibly the mayor's seat. Look also at the ridings that Vision won last time and its pretty evident that there are more than quite a few where they have made a lot of enemies through their spot rezoning and battles with the community centres. These neighborhoods are very engaged and ready to vote for anyone but Vision this time.
On council, Geoff Meggs and Tony Tang are the ones who should be brushing off their resumes given their numbers from the last election and their impact this time around.
.Lee L.
Nov 12, 2014 at 4:01pm
Vision's 'mistakes' are born of zealot's arrogance. Their success in elections is born of the general working public's lack of commitment to democracy.
( VOTE! ).
If there is ONE of you out there that truly and deeply wants to see a more balanced council or the end of Vision Vancouver's monopoly it is really easy, though a bit late coming.
All ya have to do is make a BIG SIGN that says
ROBERTSON SAYS TEAR DOWN VIADUCTS!
ENJOY YOUR COMMUTE NEXT YEAR.
Of course you have to stand on the Georgia Viaduct during both rush hours.
But I think it might just work.