I am running for city council because Vancouver is at a crossroads and I believe I can help.

Forty years ago, citizens stopped freeways into downtown and put Vancouver on the path of becoming the world’s most livable city. Today our challenge is how do we accommodate growth and get greener without compromising the livability we love.

Recent growth has created escalating housing prices, traffic congestion and overly-dense development. I believe there are better ways to grow, be greener, and retain our livability.

These are my top priorities.

1. A sustainable, livable city

In 2011 our Livable Region Plan was replaced by a new Regional Growth Strategy. We need to return to livability as our core planning goal. We need to make investment in community services a priority because they make our city livable for all. We need to push harder to phase out crude oil tanker traffic because just one spill would ruin our economy, sustainability, and livability.

2. Affordable housing

Vancouver should not be for “the privileged few...starting at $5 million” (a sign I walk by on my way to work). We are a wealthy enough city to be livable for all. Pragmatically, we won’t build our economy with talented, creative people if they can’t afford to live here.

Recent EcoDensity and STIR (Short-Term Incentives for Rental Housing) programs aren’t delivering affordable housing. They’re creating social conflict. We need a smarter approach. Rental apartments used to be built when there were tax breaks to entice the investment. Vancouver needs to push hard to reinstate that tax policy, expand it to include tax breaks for ongoing maintenance of rental buildings, and entice developers to work within existing zoning and deliver more affordable housing through cost-reducing incentives like relaxed parking stall requirements where there’s good public transit.

3. Smarter growth

Smarter growth means denser, more complete, and walkable communities. I’ve found that people are willing to accept reasonable density increases if developments respect existing zoning bylaws and neighbourhood character. That is not too much to ask for. There is enough capacity in current zoning to accommodate projected growth over the next few decades without the need for high rises where they aren’t zoned and aren’t wanted. Smarter growth also means more public transit, bike network improvement, and more efficient sharing of roads, including some bike-free routes and bus lanes, to reduce roadway conflicts and congestion.

I believe city council could use a new voice and a new approach that’s collaborative, creative, and sensible.

Many people know me as the first Green party leader in televised leaders’ debates. You may not know that I was born in Vancouver and have lived and worked here for most of my life. I graduated with a master’s degree in urban geography from UBC and wrote my thesis on the role of community groups in nurturing community spirit and stopping inappropriate development in Kitsilano. Since 2007 I’ve lived with my husband in the West End near Stanley Park. I love this city.

If you elect me to Vancouver city council, this is what you can expect: I will listen to people and work with everyone. In making decisions, I will always consider: will it help create a more sustainable local economy, a healthier environment, and a more affordable and livable city?

I am committed to creating a better Vancouver for everyone. I will be the one Green Party of Vancouver candidate on your council ballot. I hope you give one of your 10 council votes to me.

Adriane Carr is the Green Party of Vancouver’s candidate for city council.