Vancouver Civic Election 2022

[Feathered Friend]

Well it's about that time of silly season again, and as there have been quite a few announcements of candidates seeking election, and the creation of new parties, I figured it was it was time to start up a thread.

As of Nov 29th, 2021, so far we have:
(In order of incumbent parties, and then alphabetical)


Mayoral
Kennedy Stewart (Forward Together) i

Ken Sim (A Better City)

Mark Marissen (Progress Vancouver)

John Coupar (NPA)

Colleen Hardwick (Team)

Golok Buday (Vancouver Classic Liberal Association)

City Councillors


A Better City

Seven Candidates
Lisa Dominato i
Rebecca Bligh i
Sarah Kirby Yungi
Peter Meiszner
Brian Montague
Lenny Zhou
Mike Klassen

COPE

Four Candidates
Breen Ouellette
Jean Swanson i
Nancy Trigueros
Tanya Webking

Forward Together

Four Candidates
Russil Wvong
Dulcy Anderson
Hilary Brown
To be announced

Greens

Five Candidates
Adriane Carr i
Michael Wiebe i
Pete Fry i
Devyani Singh
Stephanie Smith

Ran for nomination
Tom Digby (Withdrew)


NPA

Six Candidates
Melissa De Genova i
Elaine Allan
Cinnamon Bhayani
Ken Charko
Mauro Francis
Arezo Zarrabian

One City

Four Candidates
Christine Boyle i
Ian Cromwell
Iona Bonamis
Matthew Norris

Ran for nomination
Bobo Eyrich, Dan Rothwell, Constance Barnes, Rakshin Kandola, Nick Lauga

Progress Vancouver

Morgane Oger (running for nomination)

Team

Six Candidates
Cleta Brown
Sean Nardi
Param Nijjar
Grace Quan
Stephen Roberts
Bill Tieleman


Vision Vancouver

Four Candidates
Honieh Barzegari
Leslie Boldt
Kishone Roy
Stuart Mackinnon

Vote Socialist

One Candidate
Sean Orr

Obviously there will be more to come, and I'm pretty sure I'm missing a few declarations, so I'll try to keep this updated.

[Klazu]

Man, living in Vancouver is about to get even more expensive but not to worry, it is all for a good cause. No need to do much reading between the lines to see where the extra spending is coming from. The band on Titanic will keep playing as water continues to pour in.

10% property tax hike in 2023 possible as City of Vancouver's expenses grow

There is immense uncertainty with the City of Vancouver’s financial situation over the coming years to the extent that substantial consecutive hikes to its property tax would be needed to make up for the shortfall.

Simply put, the expenses of the municipal government are beginning to really pile up, and they are creeping upwards at a pace that is faster than revenue growth.

A growing proportion of the costs are the result of expensive initiatives that are the byproduct of dozens of motions put forward and approved by the current Vancouver City Council. Other costs are deemed “uncontrollable,” such as union-mandated agreements for wage increases in the city’s workforce, and the growing costs to replace ageing critical water and sewage infrastructure.

...

Three city councillors have come forward with their concerns over this troubling fiscal trend. There is also a scope creep in what the City of Vancouver has taken on its shoulders, resulting in a diminished focus on basic services and core responsibilities of the municipal level of government.

“Years of city financial forecasts have told us current spending is unsustainable and that measures need to be taken to offset growing cost pressures,” said independent city councillor Lisa Dominato.

“Vancouver residents expect us to be responsible stewards of their tax dollars and have told us again this year that their top priorities are delivery of core services, affordability, housing and homelessness, community safety, and city finances. The draft budget does not adequately prioritize the services that residents and businesses have told us are important.”

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/city...udget-forecast

Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart proposes new climate levy to raise $100 million

The mayor of Vancouver is floating the idea of introducing what he calls a “progressive” levy to support the City of Vancouver’s Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP).

Kennedy Stewart states such a levy would go into effect in 2022, with the aim of raising $100 million over 10 years to fund the municipal government’s climate change initiatives.

Few details are available at the moment, but a levy, for example, could be implemented as an add-on to the amount of property tax paid.

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vanc...ction-levy-tax

[Bcasey25raptor]

Voting for Kennedy Stewart again, none of the other candidates interest me.

[FarmerHaight]

Originally Posted by Klazu

No need to do much reading between the lines to see where the extra spending is coming from.

Actually, can you spell it out for me? The article is very ambiguous.

Is the city spending more on capital projects? Is the safe supply program super expensive? Is public housing draining the city's coffers? Did other sources of revenue decline?

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Bcasey25raptor

Voting for Kennedy Stewart again, none of the other candidates interest me.

I mean, other than declaring they are running, do we even know much about them?

What has Stewart done that's so impressive?

[GenWhy?]

Isn't it an extra $60 a year for an average condo and $140 for a house? Meanwhile my rent goes up $600 a year.

EDIT: $350 increase in rent. I did my math wrong on my notice

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

....What has Stewart done that's so impressive?

Nothing.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by GenWhy?

Isn't it an extra $60 a year for an average condo and $140 for a house? Meanwhile my rent goes up $600 a year.

Rental increases are limited to 1.5%. You're paying $40k/year? I think you can afford it.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

I mean, other than declaring they are running, do we even know much about them?

What has Stewart done that's so impressive?

I think the question for most voters is more "what does the current opposition offer better than him?" The alternatives are three different flavours of NIMBY and a literal developer shill.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

I think the question for most voters is more "what does the current opposition offer better than him?" The alternatives are two different flavours of NIMBY and a literal developer shill.

Which are which here? I think there are more than 3 other candidates right?

Anyway, I don't think Stewart's voting record is terrible, but his ability to lead and push through policy is awful.

If anything, this iteration of city council shows that parties are a good thing, and provide some stability and direction. If you elect a bunch of independents and randos you get what we have today.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Which are which here? I think there are more than 3 other candidates right?

Anyway, I don't think Stewart's voting record is terrible, but his ability to lead and push through policy is awful.

If anything, this iteration of city council shows that parties are a good thing, and provide some stability and direction. If you elect a bunch of independents and randos you get what we have today.

Last time I checked it was four. Mark Marissen (Christy Clark's ex and BC Lib campaigner) wants thousands of new condo towers. John Coupar hates bike lanes and likes view cones. Ken Sim wants an extra secondary suite, minimal height increases and more consultation with entitled residents. We all know what Hardwick wants.

As opposed to Vision bulldozing every stupid little idea through with a 7-4 majority? Or worse, whichever "candidates" TEAM/A Better City/the new NPA pulls out their asses? Yeah, the gridlock sucks sometimes, but overall they've still been getting the important rezonings passed - all we need to do is kick out Carr, Hardwick and Swanson.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

Last time I checked it was four. Mark Marissen (Christy Clark's ex and BC Lib campaigner) wants thousands of new condo towers. John Coupar hates bike lanes and likes view cones. Ken Sim wants an extra secondary suite and more consultation with entitled residents. We all know what Hardwick wants.

As opposed to Vision bulldozing every stupid little idea through with a 7-4 majority? Or worse, whichever "candidates" TEAM/A Better City/the new NPA pulls out their asses? Yeah, the gridlock sucks, but overall they've still been getting the important rezonings passed - all we need to do is kick out Carr, Hardwick and Swanson.

I don't think Sim is as NIMBY as you seem to indicate. What's wrong with thousands of new condos? Some of the "supply side bros" annoy me, but I think the City would be better off if we allowed these guys in to steamroll some NIMBYs for 4-5 years and see where that gets us. It's not much time considering the pace of development.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

Yeah, the gridlock sucks sometimes, but overall they've still been getting the important rezonings passed - all we need to do is kick out Carr, Hardwick and Swanson.

That's very unlikely if Councillor Carr chooses to stand again - she got the highest number of votes for Council by a wide margin. Swanson had the fourth place (and Hardwick the fifth), so they're both pretty secure as they also have name recognition. Carr will be 70 next year and Swanson will be nearly 80, but both may want to stand again.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

I don't think Sim is as NIMBY as you seem to indicate. What's wrong with thousands of new condos? Some of the "supply side bros" annoy me, but I think the City would be better off if we allowed these guys in to steamroll some NIMBYs for 4-5 years and see where that gets us. It's not much time considering the pace of development.

Sim's definitely not a YIMBY either - I highly doubt he'd be suggesting duplex and quadplex rezonings like Stewart is.

Nothing wrong with thousands of condos per se (though rentals are obviously better)... thousands of condos being suggested by one of the Inner Party responsible for the money laundering crisis should invoke a healthy level of suspicion.

Originally Posted by Changing City

That's very unlikely if Councillor Carr chooses to stand again - she got the highest number of votes for Council by a wide margin. Swanson had the fourth place (and Hardwick the fifth), so they're both pretty secure as they also have name recognition. Carr will be 70 next year and Swanson will be nearly 80, but both may want to stand again.

Perhaps. More than a few Swanson voters appear to have severe buyer's remorse.

[Bcasey25raptor]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

Last time I checked it was four. Mark Marissen (Christy Clark's ex and BC Lib campaigner) wants thousands of new condo towers. John Coupar hates bike lanes and likes view cones. Ken Sim wants an extra secondary suite, minimal height increases and more consultation with entitled residents. We all know what Hardwick wants.

As opposed to Vision bulldozing every stupid little idea through with a 7-4 majority? Or worse, whichever "candidates" TEAM/A Better City/the new NPA pulls out their asses? Yeah, the gridlock sucks sometimes, but overall they've still been getting the important rezonings passed - all we need to do is kick out Carr, Hardwick and Swanson.

Car and Hardwick sure, but I will never vote against Swanson, she's a hero to me.

[GenWhy?]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Rental increases are limited to 1.5%. You're paying $40k/year? I think you can afford it.

I can. Absolutely. Just responding a quick-and-dirty to Klazu's post about a DailyHive "article".

As far as I remember, Van pays about the same in taxes to Burnaby & Surrey? Just laying out it's not all doom and gloom and everything is needed to be seen context. 10% has sticker shock, definitely.

EDIT: I was using an old % increase (pre-COVID maybe? it's been a long year of no rent increase. I have no idea where I got my $600 from It's actually $350

[GenWhy?]

Originally Posted by Bcasey25raptor

Car and Hardwick sure, but I will never vote against Swanson, she's a hero to me.

Agreed. While she's not the best politician, she is a valued voice for those of the hardest hit by the bludgeoning of land prices that escalate everything in this city. Valuable to have on council. She's right in saying policies are flawed that don't stipulate more affordable housing options.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by GenWhy?

I can. Absolutely. Just responding a quick-and-dirty to Klazu's post about a DailyHive "article".

As far as I remember, Van pays about the same in taxes to Burnaby & Surrey? Just laying out it's not all doom and gloom and everything is needed to be seen context. 10% has sticker shock, definitely.

"Same taxes" is a bit questionable as taxes are based on a mill rate, not a set rate like other taxes. SFHs in Vancouver pay substantially more than other municipalities, and that's fine.

10% is meant as shock value. The increase has been limited to 5% this year, and I can't see any council proposing 10% in the future in all honesty.

That said, the way you increase revenue is through approving more dense development. Tax rates can remain flat as you grow the tax base to pay for increases.

[rofina]

Originally Posted by Bcasey25raptor

Car and Hardwick sure, but I will never vote against Swanson, she's a hero to me.

I would self amputate and donate my pinky if she was never heard from in any political position again.

The beauty of democracy.

[rofina]

Originally Posted by FarmerHaight

Actually, can you spell it out for me? The article is very ambiguous.

Is the city spending more on capital projects? Is the safe supply program super expensive? Is public housing draining the city's coffers? Did other sources of revenue decline?

A look under the hood will show social housing, which is not supposed to be a civic initiative, is eating a disproportionately large portion of funds.

There is also the fact the DTES costs a million a day, 365.

Provincial NDP should lay its head in shame about not lobbying the Feds for a more rapidly deployed, and larger, share of the housing funds.