While the municipal election is still several months away, several potential candidates this week announced their intentions to run, or not.
Adrian Crook, who made headlines last summer after launching a legal challenge against helicopter parenting, has decided to make a run for city council with the Non-Partisan Association.
Crook is no stranger to the spotlight. He blogs about his life as a parent raising five kids in a downtown condo and last summer he sparked debate after the Ministry of Children and Family Services launched an investigation after someone complained that he let his children, aged seven to 11, ride the bus together alone. While the ministry agreed that he was not being negligent, it forbid him from letting his children go anywhere unaccompanied.
He is the co-founder of two non-profit organizations, Abundant Housing Vancouver and Abundant Transit BC.
On his website, Crook states that he is running “because I envision a new, affordable Vancouver that breeds inclusiveness and diversity, rather than division and anger.”
The announcement prompted a flood of responses on Twitter, including one from NPA president Gregory Baker clarifying that Crook has not been endorsed by the party.
Just to be clear, you have not been endorsed by @NPAVancouver .
— Gregory Baker (@gregorylbaker43) February 15, 2018
Also this week, Ben Bolliger announced his intention to seek the OneCity nomination for council.
He has a degree in political science and First Nations studies from the University of Ottawa and served as a parliamentary assistant with Jack Layton’s NDP. A Vancouver resident since 2008, he has served two terms on the city’s Active Transportation Policy Council and currently works in the public health system.
“I am seeking the OneCity nomination for City Council in order to make fairness and affordability top priorities for our local government,” Bolliger said on his website. “My first motion will be to diversify the local economy to improve wages and quality of work while tackling the housing crisis head on by implementing OneCity’s bold housing policies.”
Former mayoral candidate Kirk LaPointe announced on Twitter this week that he will not make another run for the mayor’s chair. LaPointe challenged incumbent Mayor Gregor Robertson, who announced last month that he will not seek a fourth term, in 2014.
I was privileged to run for the Non-Partisan Association as the mayoralty candidate in 2014. While there has been speculation I might run again, after much consideration I have decided not to do so. I wish the party well in finding its next nominee.
— Kirk LaPointe (@kirklapointe) February 13, 2018
Several sitting councillors have already announced their intentions. Vision’s Heather Deal and Raymond Louie will seek re-election, along with the NPA’s Melissa De Genova and Hector Bremner, and the Green Party’s Adriane Carr.
The election is Oct. 20.
@JessicaEKerr
