Niki Sharma: We need to continue to build an inclusive city for all

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      Last week, I was on the #8 bus with my one-year-old daughter after picking her up from her childcare. My maternity leave recently ended, and I am now back to work as an aboriginal lawyer. We are adjusting to the challenges of the hour-long trip to childcare and work, repeating it on the way home, not to mention the emotional adjustment of leaving my young daughter in someone else’s care.

      I felt anxious, wishing the bus would go faster, and thinking about how much time I had before my daughter would be hungry and upset. As I was distracted, she started smiling and waving at an elderly woman sitting near us. Waving is her exciting new trick and it caused us all to laugh.

      Our new friend asked me how old my daughter was, and I mentioned her upcoming birthday. After a wonderful conversation, the woman reached into her purse and pulled out $5. She said that it was good luck in China to give money on a birthday.

      I don’t know this kind woman’s name, nor if I will see her again, but the experience reminded me of the importance of social engagement in changing your experience of urban life. Well-designed cities bring people together through better transit, building inclusive and affordable communities, and rich public spaces. It’s the kind of city that Gregor Robertson and Vision are striving to build in Vancouver.

      I first ran with Vision Vancouver in 2011 because I was proud to work with people that focused on the issues that mattered to me and families across our city.

      This fall, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to run for city council, bringing my experience and passion for Vancouver to the job.

      I have spent the last three years advocating for our communities on the park board. I have served as our park board chair, taking leadership in building public spaces for all, working on a more inclusive and equitable community centre system, speaking out against Kinder Morgan’s oil tanker expansion, and implementing the Greenest City Action Plan.

      I am proud of what we have accomplished so far, but there is more to do. We live in a city where social isolation, affordability, childcare, and transit are important issues. We live in a world that is facing the threat of a changing climate and a deteriorating environment.

      It matters to me that we work on changing things for the better every day, and that no matter how great the challenge, we focus on solutions. These great challenges require a team at city hall that has a clear plan for Vancouver—and the experience and leadership to implement that plan.

      And I am running with Vision because my values—a greener city, a city that prioritizes childcare, a city that seeks new solutions to housing challenges—are what Gregor and Vision stand for.

      Since Vision was elected, investments in childcare have increased ten-fold. Vancouver is now recognized globally for its leadership in addressing climate change. We’re seeing creative forms of new housing—laneway homes, co-housing, new co-ops—getting built in neighbourhoods throughout Vancouver.

      It’s been hard-won progress, and there is no question there is more to do. With Vision, we have a diverse, experienced team that is moving Vancouver forward. We can’t risk electing an NPA government that would roll back the Greenest City Action Plan, stay silent on Kinder Morgan, and whose housing plan consists of ‘let the market decide’.

      I want to make sure we build a city that is welcoming, inclusive, and supportive of all. With your support on November 15, we can continue building on the progress we’ve made and shape the Vancouver we want.

      Comments

      20 Comments

      Wil D

      Oct 6, 2014 at 5:25pm

      "I want to make sure we build a city that is welcoming, inclusive, and supportive of all". Vision wouldn't know what supportive or inclusive meant if hundreds of citizens showed up at council meetings in the hopes of being heard and listened too....oh that does happen, and they're ignored! And silence on Kinder Morgan or housing? Sure beats Vision's hollow platitudes and a bleating mayor who has no power to do anything not in his jurisdiction (and has failed miserably with issues actually within his powers such as affordable housing). Your party is a sham and frankly probably the most destructive civic party in our city's history. But keep helping your developer friends while the rest of the city withers. I'm voting Green and #anyonebutGregor

      Exclusive is the word: Sharma's track record

      Oct 6, 2014 at 5:47pm

      Sharma presided over the infamous Park Board meeting that went on to 3:30 am in the morning last year. Talk is cheap, her actions in the past speak louder than words. Sharma always voted with the Vision block. She'll do the same if elected to Council.
      On the morning of February 5th, Park Board called the police to make sure that citizens made up of mostly community volunteers would be escorted onto the street. Transit had stopped running on Denman Street on that cold February morning. People won't forget that.

      Dooobie

      Oct 6, 2014 at 5:52pm

      Why aren't Vision's secret "in camera" meetings with developers inclusive for all?

      Oh nevermind, you have a heart-warming bus story. This changes everything. Thanks for ending homelessness.

      Save Vancouver

      Oct 6, 2014 at 7:57pm

      Remind us again Nikki how successful Vision has been in its six year term on the affordable housing file? Or ending homelessness?

      I guess that's why Gregor is focusing on "issues" totally out of municipal control.

      Meatballs

      Oct 6, 2014 at 11:44pm

      Excuse me while I go throw up now....

      Nelson100

      Oct 7, 2014 at 4:50am

      To help push through massive projects for their developer supporters, Vision's strategy has always been to divide, not unify. While promoting developments in the West End, Vision tried to divide gays and straights. Anyone opposing the 1401 Comox development with the Qmunity Center (later disappeared, like most developer commitments) was labeled anti gay. The next attempt was to divide renters and owners. Any opposition to the latest development monstrosity (which includes a few token rental units) were labeled greedy owners who didn't care about renters. Move on to the East Side vs West Side. Anyone living on the West Side who opposes yet another monster development, was labeled a privileged one percenter. And so on. Cyclists vs motorists. Young vs old (angry old men). Ethnic vs Caucasian (angry old WHITE men).

      November will present a great opportunity for a unified and inclusive Vancouver to show this pack of unscrupulous development greenwashers the door.

      EPD

      Oct 7, 2014 at 6:51am

      'inclusive' is a big word. It isn't possible, ever, anywhere.

      O RLY?

      Oct 7, 2014 at 7:08am

      "I am now back to work as an aboriginal lawyer"

      Just what we need, another lawyer!

      Laughable

      Oct 7, 2014 at 7:50am

      This is Vision Vancouver in a nutshell - lull you into believing they are working for the average joe in the city and are just like us while they pull out the rug from beneath you and then push you out of the way to make room for foreigners and developers who don't contribute one iota to the culture and affordability of Vancouver. Wolves in Sheeps clothing all of them, at least the NPA has the cajones to tell you where they sit on issues of development and affordability (not a fan of them or endorsing them, just stating that their positions are at least predictable/evident).

      Housing and affordability are all I give a damn about in this election, not some half- baked platform based on fighting tanker traffic in the Burrard Inlet. What's the point of caring about that if I can't afford to live here?

      Dave

      Oct 7, 2014 at 8:42am

      What a crock.