Comments on: The offical Vision-COPE non-aggression pact

By: Ed

Ed — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 21:14:48 +0000

I think some of the comments are neglecting to account for the fact that many of the Vision candidates for Council are highly acceptable to the members of COPE, and vice versa. No doubt there may still be ill will towards Stevenson & Louie, but I think the notion that COPE is making major sacrifices to endorse the likes of David Eby, Andrea Reimer, Kerry Jang and Aaron Jasper is preposterous. On the other side of the table, Katherine are you really predicting that Jane Bouey and Noel Herron, and incumbents Al Blakey and Allan Wong, have little hope of being elected? This is bold, to say the least.

I see this agreement as consolidating behind the best candidates. Tim Louis is grumpy because because he no longer fits into this category.

By: Wagamuffin

Wagamuffin — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 23:37:27 +0000

This is a head scratcher to me. My question: Let’s say COPE get its traditional 33% of the vote from the diehards. They are perceived to be far left. Vision is perceived to be centre to centre left (including Liberals). Are those soft “L”‘s really going to lay down a vote for COPE just to say they are participating in an alliance?

I think COPE has made a mistake and may be putting itself out of business, possibly forever.

Do none of you people watch “Survivor”??? Alliances are fragile things…

By: Denis Lang

Denis Lang — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 05:03:45 +0000

The following 2 headlines were taken on August 30, 2008. Who do we trust? It takes courage to believe in what is real.

1 – Union of British Columbia Municipalities website

In 2058, BC celebrates its bicentennial. We want to ensure that our children’s children will have as much to give thanks for then, as we do now, in 2008.

2 – Burnaby NOW newspaper

IN 2008 BC HAS THE COUNTRY’S HIGHEST RATE OF CHILD POVERTY

By: nicholai

nicholai — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 02:53:33 +0000

I’m surprised COPE “caved” at the council level. Vision is more interested in council given that that’s where the power and money is. They walked away with 9-2 ( Mayor included). Nothing to complain about…actual reason to fill up those champagne glasses…developers will be happy! It means a blood-letting at the COPE nominating meeting. Cadman plus who? School Board is important BUT the Province pulls most of the strings and has most of the power there. Parks Board…subset of Council…will COPE members accept the crumbs at council???

By: tommi

tommi — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 22:24:38 +0000

Don’t get too happy, this is only a press release to cover the chaos that’s really happening in Vision and COPE. It’s a straw-man tactic that isn’t going to do much to stop the huge amount of in-fighting going on.

By: Katherine Wagner

Katherine Wagner — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 17:22:03 +0000

I followed the link from a posting on Janet Steffenhagen’s “Report Card”. I am copying my post to her blog:

I’m surprised COPE is willing to trade any chance of a real voice on Vancouver’s city council (they would be agreeing to limit themselves to a maximum of 2 councilors?) for a long shot at control of Vancouver’s school board.

By and large, voters have a tendency to vote the party line all the way down the ballot (if they vote by party line). If this agreement is passed, I expect the next VSB will consist of five NPA and four VISION trustees.

I can see why VISION is pursuing this agreement, but the benefits for COPE are much less obvious.

Vancouver School Board has a powerful influence on public education policy in BC – more so than almost any other school board, or group of school boards, outside of Surrey. The only other grouping of boards that comes close is VISTA – which represents the relatively politically homogeneous Vancouver Island boards of education. (Obviously, the BCSTA has a significant voice but they have to try and walk a line that encompasses all political views.)

It is disappointed to learn VISION considers school trustee seats throwaways as they seek power in Vancouver City Hall. I don’t think they need to do this, and it speaks to how much they value (or don’t value) education.

From my point of view, sustainable improvement to the lives of Vancouver’s poor and disadvantaged is inextricably linked to education.

Just another reason why this move by VISION is so short-sighted.

By: masalaman

masalaman — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 08:51:00 +0000

thx for posting, let’s hope cope sticks to it as well at their meeting… we really need a progressive vision in city hall