Vancouvers mayor wants to honour late federal NDP leader Jack Layton and his foe isnt entirely opposed.
On Monday, Gregor Robertson Tweeted: I will be proposing we name a street or bike route for #JackLayton via our new public naming process at city hall.
In July, Vision Vancouver Coun. Andrea Reimer successfully proposed staff include citizens and stakeholders in street naming because, she said, I cant think of anything that is more permanent in a city than a street.
NPA Coun. Suzanne Anton, who is running against Robertson for mayor, said it should be a matter of when and how Layton is remembered.
Certainly Jack Layton is a very well-respected guy, Anton told the Courier. He got cities and for municipal politicians thats important. You want federal politicians who understand cities.
Anton said it was tragic that Laytons Aug. 22 cancer death came before he could truly enjoy the fruits of his labour as leader of the official opposition. She said it would be better for city hall to take its time and decide the appropriate memorial.
If youre naming your trial [bike] lane after him, that would be not a very good memorial for somebody and the Hornby lane is a trial, she said.
Montreal-born, Toronto-resident Layton campaigned occasionally in Vancouver, but his two-wheeled influence is obvious in Robertson, who often cycles to news conferences.
Layton was first elected to Toronto city council in 1982 and chaired the civic cycling committee. Toronto journalist Laura Robinson frequently saw Layton and his wife Olivia Chow cycling to meetings and events.
There they were, cycling in their fashionable threads and everlasting smiles, showing us all that the bicycle belongs everywhere, Cyclist BikeList author Robinson wrote in her tribute to Layton.
Meanwhile, former Vancouver mayor, Vancouver-Point Grey lawmaker and premier Gordon Campbell is one of 14 people scheduled to receive the provinces top honour Oct. 4 from Lt. Gov. Steven Point and Premier Christy Clark.
Campbell was appointed Sept. 2 to the Order of British Columbias class of 2011, despite still being in office when nominations closed March 12. Clark succeeded Campbell as premier on March 14.
The Order of B.C. website says your nominee must not currently be an elected person.
The Provincial Symbols and Honours Act allows the Order of B.C. advisory council to make rules governing its business. The law says a person who is an elected federal, provincial or municipal representative is not eligible to be appointed a member of the Order while that person remains in office.
Campbells Sept. 2 appointment came exactly a week after voters defeated the Harmonized Sales Tax, which he imposed in 2009 and led to his 2010 downfall. He was named Canadas new High Commissioner to the United Kingdom in August.
Despite a social media campaign calling for Campbells appointment to be rescinded, there is no mechanism for such public input. The Provincial Symbols and Honours Act says a member can resign or the advisory council can recommend to cabinet that a person membership be terminated.
The advisory council headed by Chief Justice of B.C. Lance Finch included VANOC chief executive John Furlong, who received his Order of B.C. in 2010 from Campbell and Point. Recommendations were approved by cabinet. The Order of B.C. falls under the Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat, which is overseen by the Office of the Premier.
