Former Vancouver mayoral candidate is running for BC NDP
A former Vancouver mayoral candidate is running in the Vancouver-Strathcona riding for the BC NDP.
Amanda Burrows, a renter, prominent social justice advocate, and the executive director of the First United Church in the Downtown Eastside, has pivoted to provincial politics.
Earlier this year, Burrows ran and lost against William Azaroff for the OneCity mayoral candidate seat. (And just a few weeks ago, Azaroff stepped down to clear the path for Green Party of Vancouver mayoral candidate Pete Fry.)
In Burrows’ run in Vancouver politics, she promised city-run grocery stores, a home retrofit program, and harm reduction.
Now, Burrows is running in Vancouver-Strathcona to succeed MLA Joan Phillip, who passed away in August.
“Joan was an extraordinary leader, and her loss is deeply felt across our community. I feel incredibly grateful to have known her and to have witnessed the fierce love she had for her community and the people she served,” said Burrows.
“I will carry what I learned from Joan with me, and I’m committed to continuing the work she cared so deeply about with humility, respect and a lot of heart.”
Phillip’s widower, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, endorsed Burrows.
“Amanda is a champion for social, economic and environmental justice, a strong voice for reconciliation and for Vancouver-Strathcona neighbourhood people’s interests,” he said in the release.
“Joan loved Amanda. And I know how much Amanda loved Joan, respected her leadership and valued the work they did alongside one another. Joan fought fiercely for the people of Vancouver-Strathcona, and Amanda understands the critical need to continue to carry that work forward. I am honoured to stand in support of Amanda Burrows. I know in my heart Joan would have wanted that.”
The BC NDP said that Burrows has worked to advance human rights, affordable housing, and climate justice. This has included advocating for stronger renter protections, a living wage, and action on homelessness and the overdose crisis.
“Vancouver-Strathcona is my home, and for more than a decade I’ve worked alongside renters, workers, families and people living in poverty across this community,” said Burrows.
“And we’re making progress. Thanks to our efforts to build homes and take on speculators, housing costs are beginning to come down. But there’s more work to do. We need a government that’s ready to stand up for BC, protect people and the services they count on, and build for the future. That’s the BC NDP.”