Dear Vancouver,
Thank you so much for your support. It was a fantastic feeling watching the election results come in and seeing the strong support for a renewed mandate for Vision Vancouver.
Of course, it was also difficult watching the results for COPE. People like Ellen Woodsworth, Jane Bouey and Al Blakey were smart, hard-working, compassionate public servants who will be sorely missed at Council and School Board respectively. They leave large shoes for all of us.
I have been an activist my whole life, most of which was spent outside of government advocating for change. Being effective at making those changes in government has taken innovation, determination and teamwork writ large, but by being relentlessly committed to those values we have created so much real concrete change.
Together with Mayor Gregor Robertson and the entire Vision Vancouver team, we have had three years of progress on the big issues facing our city, indeed the biggest challenges for cities across the country: building affordability, tackling homelessness, making Vancouver one of the greenest cities in the world, while growing the economy, and opening up government.
Serving you on City Council this past term has been a privilege and an honour. The hours are long, and the work is challenging, but the accomplishments we can deliver when we work together are powerful.
My commitment to opening government is about creating space and processes to give you a voice every day - not just on election day. Over the next three years, I look forward to continuing to ensure your voice is welcome and heard at City Hall and to support your hard work in the community.
I know we have more work to do and I am thrilled to have your trust, a strong mandate, and a strong Vision team to get back at it!
Thank you again for believing in me. It means a lot. I believe so strongly in this City and our collective ability when we hold ourselves to the highest standards.
Andrea
PS – for the data wonks in the crowd, I received 1,445 more votes this election, came in 1st in 30 polls (the most of any Council candidate) and came in 4th place overall. You can find full election results here.
