COPE still has hope.
Although the Coalition of Progressive Electors had every single one of its candidates voted into power in the 2002 election, including mayoral candidate Larry Campbell, these days the left-leaning party doesn’t have a single elected official remaining after school board trustee Allan Wong resigned his membership and defected to Vision Vancouver in December.
A small group of COPE members held a press conference on the steps of city hall Monday announcing the intention to nonetheless run a full slate of candidates in the Nov. 15 election, including someone running for mayor. But it won’t be party chair and former city councillor Tim Louis, who wasn’t present for the announcement.
“Have you been drinking?” he responded when asked afterward over the phone if he was interested in taking on Vision incumbent Gregor Robertson for the top job.
Louis, who instead will be seeking the nod to run again for city council, told the Courier he was simply double-booked but also doesn’t want to risk being a distraction as the party’s most high-profile member.
“We wanted to make absolutely certain that folks like me, seeking a nomination, would have no input into the process itself and put a hermetic seal between the process and the folks vying for nominations. We want as many people running as possible.”
He added that he has no idea who the eventual mayoral candidate might be but right now the party is simply interested in attracting qualified candidates who share COPE’s commitment to social justice issues.
“We have a number of people who have expressed interest and their names are not public, they are still under wraps but we are really excited … by the number of people who have come forward and indicated it is time the electorate is offered an alternative to the ‘developer’s mayor,’” he said.
COPE is the only party this election whose candidates will be decided entirely by a membership vote. According to executive director Sean Antrim, there are currently approximately 2,000 registered party members.
COPE has also pledged to have no more than half of its candidates be male (or at least “male-identified”) and hope to have at least one aboriginal candidate running in each race for city council, park board and school board.
“We want to make sure that there is an even and inclusive playing field for all potential nominees,” said membership secretary Gretchen Dulmage, “and we want them to feel supported and empowered in the process.”
Nominees will campaign throughout the summer in advance of COPE’s nominating conference Sept. 7. The party’s annual general meeting is July 6 at a location yet to be announced.
afleming@vancourier.com
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