Ellen Woodsworth: I will fight for affordable housing, electoral reform, and diverse neighbourhoods

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      I am running for a third term on city council to make Vancouver a city for everyone.

      I want to continue to fight for affordable housing and 24/7 homeless shelters so that young people, seniors, women, and all low income people can afford to live in Vancouver. Over the past three years I have moved motions and worked long hours supporting local neighbourhoods concerned about spot rezonings, loss of affordable housing at Little Mountain, on Fraser Street, in Marpole, and in the DTES. I have called for area plans before rezonings in the West End, Marpole, DTES, and Grandview Woodlands. I fought for housing over the Strathcona Library, 24/7 shelters for women, and for a national housing strategy led by Mayor Gregor Robertson as chair of the Big Cities Caucus.

      I am running to continue my work for electoral reform—for a wards system, campaign contribution and spending limits, and quarterly financial reports during and between elections so that the public knows who is funding which campaigns and by how much.

      I have consistently stood up for civil liberties and in defense of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms in the face of repressive Olympic security plans and against the Structures for Protest bylaw. I gave back free Olympic tickets.

      I am running to ensure aboriginal women no longer go missing and all women, the LGTBQ and diverse communities are free from racism and violence in our city.

      I am running to ensure there is a fast public transit system all the way to UBC, there are frequent buses on all routes, safer pedestrian walkways, and more separated bike lanes.

      I will continue to oppose the tax shift from businesses to residences so homeowners and renters will be protected and call for a lower tax rate for small businesses.

      I led the fight against expanded gambling at Northeast False Creek and for the province to provide stable dedicated funding to the arts for the social and economic health of our city.

      I fought hard to set up women, seniors, LGTBQ, bicycle, disability, and multicultural council advisory committees.

      I brought forward innovative motions such as installing wireless Internet services in civic buildings, increasing scooter parking, for preserving the iconic Bloedel Conservatory and Stanley Park farm, and preventing privatization. I opposed the redevelopment of Hastings Park, which reduces green space promised to the neighbourhood and support a local governance model that balances community needs and fiscal responsibility.

      I believe in strong diverse multicultural neighbourhoods and neighbourhood organizations and support for local businesses. Until young people, women, seniors, immigrants, and aboriginal peoples can all fully participate in our city, we can’t realize our goal of building a Vancouver for everyone. That is why I am running for reelection to council on November 19.

      Ellen Woodsworth has been twice elected to Vancouver city council, once in 2002 and again in 2008, with the Coalition of Progressive Electors. Described by many as one of the hardest working councillors Vancouver has ever known, Woodsworth has served as vice chair of the finance committee and representative to the Union of B.C. Municipalities and the Lower Mainland Treaty Advisory Committee. She also sat on the food policy, women’s, and Creative Cities task forces and was council’s representative to the seniors and youth advisory committees. Woodsworth has been a long-time resident of Grandview Woodlands where she lives with her partner, Jo.

      Comments

      9 Comments

      james green

      Oct 25, 2011 at 4:09pm

      This councillor is perhaps the only one on this council who stands for people and their voices. Ellen is the type of councillor we need to move this city forward and not to leave anyone behind.
      Bravo and you without a hesitation have my vote for a job very well done.

      James G

      Oct 25, 2011 at 5:04pm

      @ james green

      ditto.

      Rob Roy

      Oct 25, 2011 at 11:22pm

      If Ellen Woodsworth really does "believe in strong diverse multicultural neighbourhoods", why does she support keeping the DTES a ghetto for the poor, the drug addled, and those who prey on them?

      james green

      Oct 26, 2011 at 7:34am

      What would you do about the poor in the DTES Rob?

      John Coupar

      Oct 26, 2011 at 9:53am

      I take exception to the quote from this article "preserving the iconic Bloedel Conservatory and Stanley Park farm" As President of Friends of the Bloedel I recall that the Vision/Cope Council was responsible for pushing forward the largest cuts to Park Board in its history.The result being Vision Park Commissioner"s in lock step with Council voted to close the Bloedel Conservatory and the Stanley Park Farm.It was the only rhe efforts of thousands of Vancouverites who rallied to put pressure on Park Board to save it .In my recollection the only Vancouver City Councillor who responded to my emails to Mayor and Council was Suzanne Anton ,Suzanne took the time to meet with me at the Bloedel Conservatory at the darkest hour when Bloedel was in to be closed.She quite correctly understood this was clearly a Park Board responsibility, as a result of her stong support of the independance of Park Board . Suzanne then worked with NPA Park Commisioner Ian Robertson to keep pressure on the Vision/Cope dominated Park Board.The only 4 elected representatives who actually stood up for Bloedel back then were Suzanne Anton,Ian Robertson.Loretta Woodcock and Stuart MacKinnon.Of course now the Bloedel has been saved and happily both Park Board and Council as well as Vancoverites have embraced this Green Jewel.Together we are all working across party line to insure its rebirth.

      Vicky Earle

      Oct 26, 2011 at 10:35am

      While I thank Councilor Woodsworth for attending a fundraiser to support Bloedel, I must contest the above claim that she "provided innovative ideas for preserving the Bloedel Conservatory and prevented privatization". As a Director for Friends of Bloedel, I was on the front line in the long process to save the Conservatory and to my knowledge she never contacted us, nor made public, any insights, ideas or solutions. She voiced support during the fundraiser, but did not return my phone calls. Councilor Woodsworth may have 'put forward motions' during in camera meetings at council, but these were never announced or discussed with the citizens of Vancouver who worked so hard to prevent the Conservatory's closure.

      Thomas Hobbs

      Oct 26, 2011 at 10:37pm

      wow.....saving the Bloedel Conservatory is now a fictional trophy for Councilor Woodsworth?? This is pathetic. She voted to CLOSE it.

      And the property tax 1% shift from businesses (which pay SIX times more than homeowners) is a good thing, even though every commercial area in town is now full of empty stores because small businesses cannot pay the crazy tax burden they are laden with. Take a walk. Look at all the FOR LEASE signs. Each one represents a lost business,income,jobs, and dream of someone .....

      Emmy

      Oct 28, 2011 at 2:22pm

      I haven't heard her position regarding the Vancouver Art Gallery's proposed move from Robson Square into a purpose built facility.

      E. Murphy

      Nov 13, 2011 at 9:20am

      Ellen Woodsworth has been a strong supporter of neighbourhood issues over the last term and I recommend her as a candidate to vote for.