Rebecca Bligh is committed to running for mayor under the Vote Vancouver banner, and affordability is going to be at the heart of her platform in next month’s civic election.
Bligh said that while Vancouver is a great place to live, everyday life is getting harder than it needs to be.
“People are working hard and paying more, yet finding a home, raising a family, getting across the city, and getting help from City Hall remain far too difficult,” she said.
Like OneCity’s William Azaroff yesterday, Bligh spoke to the media from Helena Gutteridge Plaza at Vancouver City Hall.
Her platform will focus on everyday issues, like affordable housing, accessible childcare, transit, and being able to make a good living with public services you can rely on.
“After four years of empty promises, Vancouverites are asking a simple question: Is life getting any better? For too many people, the answer is no. Vote Vancouver has a positive plan to change that.”
Vote Vancouver has four main pillars:
- Stay in the city you call your home
- Vote Vancouver says it will build permanently affordable homes for middle-income earners on public land, with not-for-profit childcare included in all new developments.
- Make a good living in Vancouver
- Vote Vancouver would create a small business concierge, giving local businesses a one-stop shop to get help with permits, regulations, and city processes
- Establish Vancouver as the western HQ for growing sectors, like critical minerals, defence, and tech.
- Get where you need to go, faster and cheaper
- Vote Vancouver says it would work with TransLink and the province to make transit free for Vancouver youth under 18. It also promises to deliver an all-electric passenger ferry service.
- Love your community
- Vote Vancouver says it would make City Hall more accessible and responsive, making sure residents can reach real people when they need help, and fixing broken streetlights within 72 hours of reporting.
“Everyone who helps Vancouver thrive should be able to build a life here,” Bligh said.
“Our plan responds to the pressures people face now while preparing Vancouver for the future.”
Bligh served as a councillor for almost eight years, and Vote Vancouver says she’s ready to lead City Hall from day one.
“I know how City Hall works and where it needs to improve. I am ready to bring people together, deliver real results, and build a Vancouver that works for everyone.”
Bligh’s announcement comes in the aftermath of quite a busy time in Vancouver politics, with COPE Vancouver’s Stephanie Allen dropping out of the race last week, and after some drama, OneCity’s Azaroff also dropping out, with both parties uniting behind Pete Fry as the unified progressive candidate.