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SkyriseVancovuer is proud to introduce Getting to Know, a brand new series that will introduce our readers to a host of city-builders, innovators, and urbanists, whose vision for the future includes the creation of cities as livable spaces for all.
Youthful, urban-minded, and idealistic, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson is equally at ease in front of a podium, on two wheels, or guest DJing at a hot new nightclub. As the embodiment of a Pacific Northwest politician, the progressive Vancouver Mayor has long drawn comparisons to his fictional American doppelgänger, the 'Mayor of Portland' on Portlandia. Comedic comparisons aside, the real life Gregor Robertson was a highly accomplished private citizen prior to his entry into politics — first as an MLA for the NDP in BC, and presently as Mayor of Vancouver — and the former entrepreneur was listed in the Globe and Mail's 2004 edition of its annual "Top 40 Under 40" prior to entering public life in 2005.
Gregor Robertson became the 39th Mayor of Vancouver on December 8, 2008, winning 54% of the popular vote, while his Vision Vancouver party swept City Council taking seven of 10 available seats. He is an avid cyclist and cycling advocate, and much of his public image at the time of his first Mayoral campaign centred around this fact. His reputation as a bike lane warrior has been cemented during his time as Mayor, as the City of Vancouver has since created dozens of kilometres of separated bike lanes, often in the face of stiff community opposition from drivers.
During his mayoralty, Mayor Robertson has also been a driving force in the city's push to build out Vancouver's existing public transit network. The opening of the Canada Line in 2009, and the subsequent extensions of the Millennium and Expo Lines that are currently underway, alongside numerous upgrades to the city's bus and SeaBus fleet and the implementation of the 'Compass' smart card fare payment system in 2015, are all part of a city-building philosophy that envisions public transit as the lifeblood of a healthy, 21st-century city.
A fan of Vancouver's world-renowned reputation as 'Hollywood North,' Mayor Robertson has been a highly vocal supporter of one of the city's largest employment sectors. Vancouver's record-breaking 2015 saw more than 350 film and television productions shot in and around the city, with numerous feature films such as Deadpool and Star Trek Beyond contributing more than $2 billion dollars into the local economy. A boon for the city and the province, the money spent in Vancouver and paid out in more than $140 million in wages by the local film industry has been a major player in the buildup of other public services, including cycling infrastructure, public transit, and affordable housing.
Currently seeking a fourth term, Mayor Robertson will enter the 2018 Vancouver Municipal Election as the candidate to beat. Though his popularity has waned lately, his run will be bolstered by a solid record of smart city-building, progressive politics, and a passion for bold solutions to complex issues, even in the face of stiff opposition.
SkyriseVancouver will return soon with another edition of Getting to Know. Got an idea for our new series? Let us know!
