Amanda Burrows on her pivot from municipal to provincial politics and what she's fighting for
Earlier this year, Amanda Burrows was campaigning to be the next mayor of Vancouver. Now, she will be the next MLA for Vancouver-Strathcona.
“My commitment really hasn’t changed,” Burrows said. “As I said during the mayoral run, as I said during [the MLA run], people are always at the heart of why I do this work.”
“I’m absolutely over the moon thrilled to represent folks at Vancouver-Strathcona.”
Earlier this year, Burrows ran and lost against William Azaroff for the OneCity mayoral candidate seat. Then, at the beginning of October, the BC NDP announced that she would run for them in the Vancouver-Strathcona riding.
Prior to politics, Burrows was the executive director for First United, where she was responsible for completing the $92 million redevelopment of a 1965-built church into Indigenous social and supportive housing in the Downtown Eastside.
She said through her work in the Vancouver-Strathcona community — and seeing issues like affordability, housing, drug overdose crisis, and human rights — she knows how much government and politics can impact people’s lives.
The riding was previously represented by Joan Phillip, the former BC NDP MLA for Vancouver-Strathcona, who passed away in August of this year. She was the second Indigenous woman to serve in B.C.’s legislative assembly.
Burrows said she is stepping into “very big shoes” that she “couldn’t possibly fill.”
“This election came at such a tremendous loss, and so wanting to make that commitment to carrying forward her legacy and the work that mattered to her and this community,” Burrows said. “Certainly around Indigenous rights and people living in poverty and making sure that our vulnerable communities are cared for. “
Burrows knew Phillip for several years, and had done some door knocking for her when she was campaigning in the provincial by-election in 2023, as well as during the general provincial election in 2024. Phillip also did tours in the community and saw First United’s work.
“How she would show up for us and others in this community in the Downtown Eastside was just incredible,” Burrows said.
She and Phillip became friends over the years. Phillip’s widower, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, endorsed her as the candidate for Vancouver-Strathcona — something that Burrows doesn’t take lightly.
“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 NDP release that announced Burrows’ candidacy.
During Burrows’ campaign, she went door-knocking with a couple of Joan Philip’s grandchildren.
“Having people come out and then her grandkids introducing themselves, Joan’s grandkids, and supporting me in doing this work. And we’re going to continue to do this work together. It was just one of the most incredible highlights of this last month that I had on the trail.”
The overall election
BC Federation of Labour/Daily Hive
Although David Eby’s snap election was met with overwhelming discontent — and ended with the NDP losing a majority government — Burrows noted that she was not yet affiliated with the party or part of the decision-making when he made the call.
When the NDP approached her to run, she said yes.
While she did hear from voters about the early election call, she said the issue of affordability came up much more.
“Especially in my riding, it’s one of the most low income ridings in the province. It‘s also one of the most stronghold NDP ridings in the province.”
Burrows said that when she went door-knocking at social housing and SROs (single room accommodations), she was told “time and time again” that she would get their vote.
“Everyone’s like, ‘Well, of course I’m voting New Democrat,’ and I’m like, ‘Why?’ … And they say, ‘Because you’re for the working people, you’re actually going to care about public services.'”
“That is what we have to always remember. These communities want to vote New Democrat.”
Going into office
While the NDP suffered a substantial loss on Saturday, Burrows said she respects the voters of B.C.
Going into office, she and the NDP will serve as the official opposition to the Conservative government.
“As a proud New Democrat, my focus is really fighting for human rights, fighting for trans rights, fighting for Indigenous rights — including fighting for DRIPA — fighting for workers, and fighting for renters’ protections and renters’ rights.”
She said that she will be listening to her constituents to take issues that matter to them to Victoria.
Burrows added that she wants to be a “bridge builder” and is excited to work with Vancouver’s new City Council, which has elected a progressive supermajority.
“It’s an exciting time for Vancouver.”