Robertson has reached the halfway point in his three-year term. And judging by the positive comments he's received in recent weeks from Premier Gordon Campbell and Housing Minister Rich Coleman, the relationship appears more sweet than sour.

At a press conference two weeks ago to announce $225 million to build eight social housing buildings in the city, Campbell referred to Robertson as "one of our lead partners as we deal with the challenge of homelessness across the province."

Coleman, who has complimented the mayor several times at similar announcements for his commitment to ending homelessness, let the crowd know how deep the relationship runs between the two politicians. "He and I have had many discussions about homelessness, mental health and addictions over the last year-and-a-half as we've tried to come up with solutions in this city," Coleman said.

So what's the mayor's secret? Apparently, there isn't one.

"It's pretty straightforward," Robertson told the Courier this week. "We just focus on getting things done and avoiding the rhetoric and ensuring the commitments are followed through."

Since Robertson and his Vision council took office in December 2008, the mayor and Coleman worked to open temporary homeless shelters and secure funding for the construction of 14 social housing buildings in the city.

The previous NPA-dominated council led by then-mayor Sam Sullivan identified 12 of those sites. And in doing so, was duly recognized by Coleman for providing the land.

But Robertson is quick to point out the government failed to give construction money to build the sites until he and his council moved into city hall.

"None of the funding was committed last term so my focus was on eliminating all possible barriers at the city that were slowing the deals down," he said. "City staff has really responded and ensured that the city side of the deal was done and we're ready for these projects to start."

Added Robertson: "The economic circumstances made all of this more challenging for the partners, so building trust and confidence in each other was important and I'm not sure that was there last term to land the funding commitment."

Former NPA councillor Peter Ladner, who challenged Robertson for the mayor's seat in the 2008 campaign, was one of the politicians predicting an uneasy relationship for Robertson with the provincial Liberals.

So what's he think now?

"Well, I guess he discovered what side his bread is buttered on when it comes to solving the housing crisis," Ladner said.

Ladner pointed to Robertson's chief of staff Mike Magee, Vision Coun. Geoff Meggs and city manager Penny Ballem, whom Vision hired during its first week in power, as key people to the mayor's success.

"I think he's doing a pretty good job," he said. "I think he's done very well in having strong people in behind him and being a very appealing face out front. I don't know how much of the work being done is his doing but it probably doesn't matter."

Suzanne Anton, the NPA's lone councillor, agreed with Ladner that the mayor's relationship with the provincial government appears to be working to the city's benefit.

But, she said, Coleman is the key in the relationship. "The housing agenda is bigger than whoever is the mayor and Rich Coleman has been a fantastic housing minister," she said. "He has really been outstanding."

Robertson acknowledged his relationship with Coleman has been tested, particularly over his request to have the provincial government continue funding three shelters until interim housing is built.

The back-and-forth over whether the city would grant the provincial government a demolition permit to begin redevelopment of the Little Mountain public housing complex was another battle. "It hasn't been easy at times but we've both been committed to the end solution," Robertson said. "If there's some bumps and bruises along the way, then so be it. That's part of politics."

So what's he think now of the NPA's predictions in 2008 that his relationship would falter with the provincial Liberals?

"They're laughable at this point. The proof is in the pudding."

mhowell@vancourier.com