Municipal political parties in Vancouver

Vancouver is one of two major cities in Canada to have political parties at the municipal level, the other being Montreal.[1] Municipal politics in Vancouver were historically dominated by the centre-right Non-Partisan Association, a "free enterprise coalition" originally established to oppose the influence of the democratic socialist Co-operative Commonwealth Federation.[2] Following the 2008 municipal election, the social democratic Vision Vancouver became the dominant party in city politics for 10 years until its defeat in the 2018 election.[3][4]

Parties with elected members

Name Founded Ideology Alignment Leader(s) City council Park board[a] School board
  ABC Vancouver 2021 Conservatism Centre-right Ken Sim
8 / 11
3 / 7
4 / 9
  Green Party of Vancouver 1984 Green politics Green politics Adriane Carr
2 / 11
1 / 7
2 / 9
  OneCity Vancouver 2014 Social democracy Centre-left[6][7]
  • Cara Ng
  • Laura Track
1 / 11
0 / 7
1 / 9
  Coalition of Progressive Electors 1968 Democratic socialism Left-wing
  • Tristan Markle
  • Nancy Trigueros
0 / 11
0 / 7
1 / 9

Other active parties

Name Founded Ideology Alignment Leader
Affordable Housing Coalition 2022 Pro-housing development Moderate Eric Redmond
  Non-Partisan Association 1937 Conservatism Centre-right to right-wing Fred Harding
  TEAM for a Livable Vancouver 2021 Centre Colleen Hardwick
  Vision Vancouver 2005 Green liberalism Centre to centre-left
  • Aaron Leung
  • Janet Wiegand
VOTE Socialist 2022 Left-wing Collective leadership

Defunct parties

Name Founded Abolished Ideology Alignment Leader
  Coalition Vancouver 2018 2018 Centre-right to right-wing Wai Young
  Forward Together 2022 2024 Social democracy Centre-left Kennedy Stewart
  Neighbourhoods for a Sustainable Vancouver 2007 2021 Sustainable development Centre Steering committee[10]
  Progress Vancouver 2018 2023 Centre[12] to centre-right[13] Mark Marissen
  The Electors' Action Movement (TEAM) 1968 1986 Centre Art Phillips
  Vancouver 1st 2013 2018 Libertarian conservatism Right-wing Fred Harding

Notes

  1. ^ On December 6, 2023, three ABC commissioners left the party to sit as independents after Vancouver mayor Ken Sim introduced a motion to ask the provincial government to change the Vancouver Charter to dissolve the park board.[5]

References

  1. ^ Andrew, Caroline; Biles, John; Siemiatycki, Myer; Tolley, Erin, eds. (2008). Electing a Diverse Canada. Vancouver: UBC Press. p. 7. ISBN 978-0-7748-1485-0.
  2. ^ Miller, Fern (1975). "Vancouver Civic Political Parties: Developing a Model of Party-system Change and Stabilization". BC Studies: The British Columbian Quarterly. Spring 1975 (25): 3–31.
  3. ^ Mickleburgh, Rod (November 21, 2008). "Once-dominant NPA sent packing to political wilderness". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  4. ^ Smith, Charlie (October 20, 2018). "Even after the slaughter of Vision Vancouver, the greenest city agenda may remain intact". The Georgia Straight. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  5. ^ McElroy, Justin (December 6, 2023). "Vancouver's mayor makes a bold step to eliminate the park board — at the risk of dividing his party". CBC News. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  6. ^ Zeidler, Maryse (October 21, 2018). "Collaboration key for Vancouver's new mayor and council". CBC News. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  7. ^ Garr, Allen (October 17, 2017). "Vancouver's centre-left parties consider 'let's make a deal'". Vancouver Is Awesome. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  8. ^ Pablo, Carlito (January 9, 2022). "Jak King explains how Colleen Hardwick as mayor will try and keep Vancouver as "city of villages"". The Georgia Straight. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  9. ^ Fumano, Dan (January 26, 2022). "Dan Fumano: What's in a name? Vancouver mayor looks 'forward,' rival pitches return to better days". Vancouver Sun. PostMedia Inc. Archived from the original on January 27, 2022. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  10. ^ "NSV Steering Committee". Neighbourhoods for a Sustainable Vancouver. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
  11. ^ "Six stories at Vancouver City Hall in 2021 that set the table for a looming election". Georgia Straight. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  12. ^ "About - Yes Vancouver". Yes Vancouver. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
  13. ^ "Dan Fumano: Majority not the only path to power in Vancouver's fall election". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  14. ^ "An end - and a beginning" The Province January 5, 1973, p.4