Vancouver might be looking at electing two city councillors in a by-election early in the new year.
In October, Coun. Christine Boyle successfully ran for a seat in the provincial legislature and will be stepping down from council; and Veteran Vancouver Green Party City Coun. Adrian Carr says she’s also considering stepping down before the next election, citing acrimony and discord in City Hall.
Carr says she’s never felt so dismissed on council by the ABC supermajority that she says supersedes any healthy debate about the direction the city is taking.
“It was a blessing to be on council last term when there were a lot of different parties elected, and we worked together pretty collaboratively, which is really what democracy should be about,” said Carr.
She says she feels blindsided by some motions brought by ABC members.
“I’m seeing councillors who make decisions before they get to the council table. They table motions which aren’t given any public notice. They’re not giving other councillors like myself and Coun. Fry notice, so that the media can’t report on it. People can’t speak to it.”
Carr referenced a July motion by Coun. Brian Montague, which aimed to reintroduce natural gas heating into new builds in the city.
“Thankfully, the public came out in droves this [past] week and actually convinced enough councillors to vote against that. That was a real coup — a real win for democracy. But other than that, let me tell you, it’s been really hard.”
She also restated Coun. Fry’s concerns that non-party members were being overlooked for city representative roles, including acting mayor, deputy mayor, and duty councillors.
The roles — which come with a boost to councillors’ paycheques — are usually shared between all councillors, regardless of political party. But in October, Fry alleged that Mayor Ken Sim wants to keep the opportunities to ABC councillors only.
Carr says she’s planning on taking the holidays to think but is seriously considering resigning her seat in the new year. She says she hopes Vancouver would not elect another ABC councillor in her place.
“I really think that the public needs to look seriously at whether they want to give a party that has already exorbitant power more power. Especially when they seem to dismiss a lot of public opinion on key issues.”