Vancouver’s municipal election is on Oct. 15 and the overriding issues for each mayoral candidate are to address the housing affordability crisis with public safety coming in a close second. Each candidate has listed their top three priorities on the City of Vancouver’s election information site.
Kennedy Stewart – Forward Together
Kennedy Stewart is the incumbent mayor of Vancouver and lists affordable housing as his top priority along with mental health and addiction and a sustainable economy.
“On housing, Forward Together will significantly increase supply and affordability, streamline the approval process and protect renters. On public health and safety, we will create more supportive housing, provide more harm reduction and treatment options, and offer greater mental health supports for our most vulnerable neighbours. On climate change, we will build a sustainable, equitable and vibrant economy rooted in reconciliation, accessibility and inclusivity,” Stewart said.
Stewart has proposed an expansion of the currently under construction Broadway Skytrain line into a “Vancouver Loop” around the city’s underserved neighbourhoods to the west but has faced criticism for the idea.
Stewart was an NDP MP for eight years and has served as Vancouver’s mayor since 2018.
Ken Sim – A Better City (ABC Vancouver)
Ken Sim lists his top three priorities as safety, affordability and sustainability.
He advocates hiring 100 police officers along with 100 mental health nurses and wants to “ensure those struggling with mental health and addictions have access to proper support.” Sim says to address the housing crisis Vancouver needs to triple housing starts and streamline permitting and also calls for better cycling, pedestrian and rapid transit infrastructure along with an expansion of outdoor patios and plazas.
Sim was born and raised in Vancouver and is the co-founder of two Vancouver-based companies: Rosemary Rocksalt and Nurse Next Door.
Colleen Hardwick – TEAM for a Livable Vancouver
Colleen Hardwick lists affordable housing, public safety and core services as her three top priorities if elected mayor of Vancouver. She has spoken out against the Vancouver and Broadway Plans and advocates a “community-based planning approach balancing housing, mobility, community amenities, business activity and affordability.”
“TEAM For A Livable Vancouver will replace the current Broadway Plan and Vancouver Plan to avoid demovictions of affordable low-rise rental housing and consult neighbourhoods on how to keep our kids in Vancouver – without massive concrete towers everywhere,” she said.
Hardwick has served on Vancouver City Council since 2018.
Fred Harding – Non Partisan Association
Fred Harding lists his top three issues as public safety, housing and core services. He is leading the Non Partisan Association, which was founded in 1937 and dominated Vancouver politics until the early mid-2000s.
Harding advocates “crisis-level” leadership regarding public safety and advocates greater co-operation with the Vancouver Police Department. His housing policies include a focus on “housing supply, less red tape and shorter permit wait times.”
“As a former police officer, I understand what’s required to restore public safety and confidence to our streets. I understand how to suppress crime and use complex case law and limited resources to achieve success. I will bring leadership and a sense of urgency to resolve the public crisis that evolved over the last four years. I will rebuild trust,” Harding said.
Mark Marissen – Progress Vancouver
Mark Marissen lists ending the housing shortage, streamlining permitting and fighting climate change as his top tasks if elected.
“Housing is everything. Progress Vancouver is united on a plan to make housing affordable again,” Marissen said.
He lists zoning reform, budget neutral mixed-income housing, and more housing for seniors as priorities. He also advocates building 15,000 new homes and rentals per year, encouraging construction of co-op and multi-generational homes and a progressive luxury homes surtax.
Marissen describes himself as an “entrepreneur, political expert, and grassroots adviser (with) a track record of building diverse coalitions to create solutions.”
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