There was no arguing, no points of order and no microphones cut off in what was a cordial first public meeting Monday of Vancouver’s new mayor and 10-member council.
After being sworn in to office a few hours earlier, Mayor Kennedy Stewart and his council met for less than an hour at city hall to formally pass a series of appointments of councillors to various boards, committees and commissions.
Mayor Kennedy Stewart and his new council are promoting a spirit of co-operation as they embark on their four-year term together. They met at city hall for the first time Monday. Photo Jennifer Gauthier
“My whole intention from the beginning was to make everybody feel like it is a new start—a fresh slate—and I think we accomplished that tonight,” Stewart told the Courier after the meeting. “So, so far, so good.”
Earlier in the day, Stewart and the 10 councillors were sworn in at Creekside community centre. Stewart used his inauguration speech to promise respect in his approach to governing, saying he would consult with councillors and residents before making decisions.
He noted at city hall how the news conference that followed the ceremony included all councillors, which was a reflection of the spirit he said he is focused on promoting as an independent mayor leading a mixed council.
For the first time in decades, there is no majority at city hall, although the NPA has five of the 11 seats. The Greens have three, while OneCity and COPE each have one on a council populated with eight women.
Over the next few weeks, Stewart and councillors will meet with various city staff to be brought up to speed on issues and learn how to carry themselves in the council chamber as they take on the business of the city.
The next council meeting, which is scheduled for Nov. 13, is expected to test that respectful spirit Stewart and councillors have stated, with several motions expected to be introduced in the council chamber.
COPE Coun. Jean Swanson, for example, said she will introduce two motions, one of which is related to a promise that former mayor Gregor Robertson made to ensure all housing built at a city site at 58 West Hastings be rented at pension and welfare rate.
The other, Swanson said, is related to “renovictions,” a popular term among housing advocates to describe the practice of landlords renovating buildings and only allowing tenants to return if they pay higher rent.
The Nov. 13 meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. and will be livestreamed on the city’s website.
Council appointments passed Monday were:
• Vancouver Public Library Board—Christine Boyle
• Public Art Committee—Sarah Kirby-Yung
• Vancouver City Planning Commission—Pete Fry
• Vancouver Civic Theatres Board—Lisa Dominato
• Vancouver Heritage Commission and Vancouver Heritage Foundation Board—Colleen Hardwick
• Joint Council on Childcare—Jean Swanson
• Vancouver Economic Commission—Kennedy Stewart
• City of Vancouver Public Housing Corporation—Kennedy Stewart, Melissa De Genova, Adriane Carr, Christine Boyle and Jean Swanson
• Vancouver Civic Development Corporation—Kennedy Stewart, Melissa De Genova and Colleen Hardwick
• Pacific National Exhibition Board Chairperson—Lisa Dominato
• Parking Corporation of Vancouver (EasyPark)—Michael Wiebe
• Vancouver Art Gallery—Kennedy Stewart and Sarah Kirby-Yung
• Standing Committee on City Finance and Services—Melissa De Genova (chairperson) and Pete Fry (vice-chairperson)
• Standing Committee on Policy and Strategic Priorities—Adriane Carr (chairperson) and Sarah Kirby-Yung (vice-chairperson)
• Metro Vancouver directors—Kennedy Stewart, Adriane Carr, Melissa De Genova, Christine Boyle, Colleen Hardwick, Michael Wiebe and Lisa Dominato
• Union of B.C. Municipalities representative—Pete Fry
• Lower Mainland Local Government Association representative—Colleen Hardwick
• Federation of Canadian Municipalities Board—Rebecca Bligh
