Geoff Meggs to seek B.C. NDP nomination in Vancouver-Fairview

The councillor said he decided to throw his hat in the provincial ring based on the support he was getting offered in the constituency.

“I’ve spent my whole life in the riding,” he told the Straight by phone this morning. “I know a lot about the people and the issues there."

Rumours had long been circulating that Meggs was considering running provincially.

The councillor’s bid for the nomination was made public by Green city councillor Adriane Carr through a post on Twitter Thursday (June 7) evening.

“Geoff Meggs just told me that he’s filed to run for BC NDP in Vancouver-Fairview. Congrats!” she tweeted.

Meggs said he wasn't planning on doing a major announcement about his provincial bid. He filed his papers to seek the candidacy "a couple of days ago", he said.

The councillor will be running against another prominent candidate, former B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union president George Heyman. The NDP nomination meeting in Vancouver-Fairview will be held on October 21. The constituency is currently represented by B.C. Liberal cabinet minister Margaret MacDiarmid.

Among the issues Meggs said he’d like to see more provincial action on in the riding are investments in rapid transit along the Broadway corridor, support for the cluster of public health institutions in the riding, and the provision of affordable housing options.

“l’d really like to see the province step up to provide a range of cheaper housing options,” he said.

Meggs said his city councillor position will continue to take priority as he campaigns for the NDP nomination.

“I’ve always been a full-time councillor, and that’s not going to change,” he said.

He added that he met with his Vision Vancouver colleagues and with the mayor in recent days, who was “very sympathetic and understanding” of his decision. Meggs was reelected to a second term on council in November 2011.

Another Vision Vancouver official, Constance Barnes, recently announced her plans to seek a provincial nomination with the B.C. NDP. Barnes stepped down as chair of the Vancouver Park Board, but will remain a park board commissioner as she seeks a nomination in the riding of Vancouver-False Creek.