Civic elections in Vancouver, BC
Well, that was an exciting yesterday. I know that I’m a bit of an election junkie, so I probably thought it was more exciting than most, but I know that I’m not alone.
In Vancouver, we have elected a very strong Vision/Cope/Green slate for all of the positions. The NPA did managed to get 4 positions (out of 27), so it wasn’t a complete shut out. Hopefully, they will get the message. Its time for serious change in Vancouver, and the leader of that change is going to be Gregor Robertson and the Vision/Cope/Green team. I’ve put the (unofficial) results of the Vancouver Election Here: http://telly2222.livejournal.com/
The top issue is homelessness. Robertson’s goal is to end street homelessness by 2015. The plan includes making Vancouver a more affordable place to live for everyone. Strengthening and supporting our community infrastructures to ensure that the most vulnerable in our society are not left unprotected.
If you want to look at the Vision Plan, have a look here:
http://www.votevision.ca/sites/all/files/vision_platform_web.pdf
In the meantime, what a great event! Despite the fact that people were suffering from voter fatigue (a federal election, two provincial by-elections, and of course the US election), we have managed to accomplish the best for Vancouver’s future.
Showing posts with label vancouver. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vancouver. Show all posts
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Sunday, November 9, 2008
ELECTION TIME in Vancouver
Yea, I know... It looks like I haven't been here for a year, but I do post on other sites... That said, ITS ELECTION TIME IN VANCOUVER
Yes, please have a look at my Sept 07 post about the City Strike. Its important to remember those issues when we are electing our new council & Mayor.
Yes, I am a member of Vision. Yes, I have an opinion. HOWEVER, lets have another look at the facts. If you don't agree, please feel free to comment.
We have the 2010 Winter Olympics coming to Vancouver. I personally, am an Olympic junkie. I love them. My sister & I were glued to the TV at disgusting hours during the Beijing Games. I think that they present the very best of who we are as humans on this planet. The ideals are great.
Having said that... Vancouver's bid for the 2010 Winter Games was presented at the expense of our social issues. The NPA party (yes that's Non-Partisan Association... which really is very "partisan" after all) thinks we don't have an obligation to address social issues as a city. They think its either some other level of government's problem, or a "NOT IN MY BACK YARD" issue.
Homelessness
Housing
Accessibility & community involvement
Environment
Public safety
Business (especially small business) support
Those are the main issues. Its not rock science. The NPA has NOT done a good job. The strike, making homelessness a crime, no new social housing (in fact cuts & lowering the available housing for low income), nothing on the environment, and then GIVING away millions to big developers who are fiscally irresponsible.
This last is the NPA's secret provision of $100 million in loans and $190 million in loan guarantees to the Olympic Village developers. Shame on the NPA and Peter Ladner.
In his "defense", Peter Ladner claims that making this loan a "political football" is inappropriate. WHAT ELSE DOES HE EXPECT? He got caught and cannot defend his conduct. Gregor Robertson has called for a review of the loan. Peter has veto'd that suggestion. And our Mayor? Vacant on it, of course! Remember the Strike? Same story here.
Get ready for a change Vancouver. We need it!
Regardless of my rantings... remember to vote on November 15, your city needs you.
Yes, please have a look at my Sept 07 post about the City Strike. Its important to remember those issues when we are electing our new council & Mayor.
Yes, I am a member of Vision. Yes, I have an opinion. HOWEVER, lets have another look at the facts. If you don't agree, please feel free to comment.
We have the 2010 Winter Olympics coming to Vancouver. I personally, am an Olympic junkie. I love them. My sister & I were glued to the TV at disgusting hours during the Beijing Games. I think that they present the very best of who we are as humans on this planet. The ideals are great.
Having said that... Vancouver's bid for the 2010 Winter Games was presented at the expense of our social issues. The NPA party (yes that's Non-Partisan Association... which really is very "partisan" after all) thinks we don't have an obligation to address social issues as a city. They think its either some other level of government's problem, or a "NOT IN MY BACK YARD" issue.
Homelessness
Housing
Accessibility & community involvement
Environment
Public safety
Business (especially small business) support
Those are the main issues. Its not rock science. The NPA has NOT done a good job. The strike, making homelessness a crime, no new social housing (in fact cuts & lowering the available housing for low income), nothing on the environment, and then GIVING away millions to big developers who are fiscally irresponsible.
This last is the NPA's secret provision of $100 million in loans and $190 million in loan guarantees to the Olympic Village developers. Shame on the NPA and Peter Ladner.
In his "defense", Peter Ladner claims that making this loan a "political football" is inappropriate. WHAT ELSE DOES HE EXPECT? He got caught and cannot defend his conduct. Gregor Robertson has called for a review of the loan. Peter has veto'd that suggestion. And our Mayor? Vacant on it, of course! Remember the Strike? Same story here.
Get ready for a change Vancouver. We need it!
Regardless of my rantings... remember to vote on November 15, your city needs you.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Vancouver in 2007
Summer is winding down, kids are returning to school, the fall colours are making their first showing, and the summer strike of CUPE (Vancouver Civic workers) continues into its 7th week.
This strike, dubbed "Sam's Strike", is now at the "its your fault" stage. Who cares who's at fault, and get back to the table. The City says it won't return to the table until there is a commitment from the Union that they will concede on some issues. Wait a minute... get to the table, then negotiate. The Union has asked for a mediator, the City has refused.
Those are the facts. When there is a strike, all parts of the contract are on the table at any given time. The details do NOT need to be fed to the media when one side or the other wants to "make a point" against the other.
The parties need to be willing to negotiate in good faith.
As far as bringing the strike into the realm of politics, well, we Vancouverites are now aware of the agenda of the Mayor and his Counsel. When the next election comes around, voters will let them know what they think. To be honest, after living in BC for most of my life, I have seen the voting public forgive and/or forget past sins when they get to the polling booth, on more than one occasion. We didn't get our nicname Lotus Land for nothing.
So bottom line: get back to the bargaining table. Quit stalling. Stop trashing each other (literally & figuratively). Have the decency to negotiate in good faith. Get the job done!!!! If you can't do that... and I mean both sides, then get a mediator.
In the meantime, here is a little video to let you see what at least one striker thinks:
This strike, dubbed "Sam's Strike", is now at the "its your fault" stage. Who cares who's at fault, and get back to the table. The City says it won't return to the table until there is a commitment from the Union that they will concede on some issues. Wait a minute... get to the table, then negotiate. The Union has asked for a mediator, the City has refused.
Those are the facts. When there is a strike, all parts of the contract are on the table at any given time. The details do NOT need to be fed to the media when one side or the other wants to "make a point" against the other.
The parties need to be willing to negotiate in good faith.
As far as bringing the strike into the realm of politics, well, we Vancouverites are now aware of the agenda of the Mayor and his Counsel. When the next election comes around, voters will let them know what they think. To be honest, after living in BC for most of my life, I have seen the voting public forgive and/or forget past sins when they get to the polling booth, on more than one occasion. We didn't get our nicname Lotus Land for nothing.
So bottom line: get back to the bargaining table. Quit stalling. Stop trashing each other (literally & figuratively). Have the decency to negotiate in good faith. Get the job done!!!! If you can't do that... and I mean both sides, then get a mediator.
In the meantime, here is a little video to let you see what at least one striker thinks:
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