Category Archives: Vancouver

#VanPoli | An Introduction to Kareem Allam, Vancouver’s Next Mayor

#VanElxn 2026, #VanPoli Civic Politics, BC Politics, Politics, Vancouver, Vancouver Votes 2026

Charismatic, achingly articulate and eloquent in a way we have never experienced in a member of Vancouver’s political class seeking municipal office, a bold, historic, near revolutionary and unapologetically progressive political figure who represents a generational shift in our civic politics, who also possesses a vigorous commitment to fiscal prudence, and the next Mayor of the City of Vancouver come the evening of Saturday, October 17th, 2026: Kareem Allam, a transformative leader for our times who will modernize city government with an emphasis on inclusion and democratic engagement that will well serve your family’s interests.


Kareem Allam, the next Mayor of Vancouver

“Whether you’re on the left or on the right, as a citizen of Vancouver you have the right to expect service from your municipal government, clean streets, beautiful boulevards, ready access to City Hall, low taxes and a responsive and responsible civic government that will always put you first,” Kareem Allam recently told VanRamblings.

“In my first term of office, I commit to hiring 400 CUPE workers to provide service to all the people who call Vancouver home, while also conducting a core review of city programmes. In 2004, the city of Vancouver had 2000 employees in our civic government. Today that figure is 9500, and growing. Just last year, the City of Vancouver hired 900 middle management, “excluded” employees. In 2016, soon after he was appointed City Manager, Sadhu Johnston in his first year in that role hired 1100 highly paid “excluded” management employees. Civic governance in our city has grown unwieldy over the past 20 years, an issue in these punishing economic times that must be addressed, but in a humane and strategically compassionate manner.”

Today’s VanRamblings column is meant to give you a brief introduction to Kareem Allam, a well schooled political strategist who has never lost a race he has run, who will out raise every other party seeking office in Vancouver in 2026, has seemingly garnered the endorsement of the Vancouver & District Labour Council — although there is an active movement being led to unseat current VDLC President Stephen von Sychowski that, if successful, could throw a kink into the works respecting Mr. Allam’s political ambitions — as well as the provincial New Democratic Party which, although they will not formally endorse Mr. Allam (provincial governments do not interfere in municipal electoral politics) will make it abundantly clear that Kareem Mahmoud Abbas Allam is their preferred candidate for Mayor of Vancouver in 2026.

(Note: Mr. Allam formally endorsed and worked hard to re-elect the David Eby led New Democratic Party in 2024, bringing an energy to the almost moribund provincial NDP campaign that prior to his involvement found itself on a losing track)

Apparently, OneCity Vancouver and the Green Party of Vancouver, in the days to come, will formally endorse Kareem Allam for Mayor of Vancouver. At this point in time, COPE is less certain of its support for Mr. Allam, but these are still early days.

In the time to come you will see that Kareem Allam is Vancouver’s Sadiq Khan, the popular Mayor of London, since 2016 — the first Muslim Mayor of a major western capital city. Naheed Nenshi, the most popular Mayor in Canadian history, who throughout his three terms in office as Calgary’s transformative Mayor was celebrated with approval ratings consistently above 80%. Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate for Mayor of New York City, representing a generational shift in American politics, and a bold voice for change in the interests of everyday working people, over corporate interests and the political elite. Barack Hussein Obama, the most eloquent orator of his generation, and one of the most inspirational and consequential figures of the 21st century, and the coolest President in modern history, highlighted by his composure, charisma, and cultural fluency. And Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West, who has consistently kept property tax increases in his city to under 2%, while building social housing and community centres to serve families and the interests of the public, the first Mayor in our region to ensure that potholes are filled in the early spring, and unlike every other Metro Vancouver city, has succeeded in providing the services PoCo residents have now come to expect.

With the next Vancouver civic election 423 days away, VanRamblings will have ample opportunity to present a broader picture of Kareem Allam, and why it is we are endorsing his candidacy for Mayor of Vancouver, our halcyon city by the sea.

 

VanRamblings Makes Its Triumphant Return, Again

#CdnPoli | Canadian Politics, #VanElxn 2026, #VanPoli Civic Politics, BC Politics, canadian politics, Politics, Vancouver, Vancouver Votes 2026, VanRamblings

After an interregnum of some 284 days since VanRamblings published last, today — Monday, August 18th, 2025 — marks VanRamblings inglorious return.

In the coming days, weeks and months, as per usual, most Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, we will publish our thoughts on all things municipal, provincial and federal politics, interspersed with columns on cinema (such as this Friday’s column on film festival season), and on the occasional Saturday, return to our semi-regular feature, Stories of a Life, and on Sundays, Sunday Music, where we will continue writing about our favourite 100 albums of all time.

Most of the next two weeks will be given over to writing about Vancouver’s municipal political scene, this week and part of next focusing on the probable Mayoral aspirants seeking office in order that they might install themselves in the spacious offices and luxurious living quarters located on the third floor at Vancouver City Hall (thank you, Dr. Penny Ballem), a home away from home for the Mayor.

In tomorrow’s column, VanRamblings’ focus will be on who, only a month ago, seemed to be the serious-minded Mayoral aspirants. Much has changed, though, over the past month, and the list of Mayoral aspirants has winnowed considerably, although a few of the usual suspects for Vancouver Mayor remain serious about making a bid for office on Saturday, October 17th, 2026.

A major focus of VanRamblings’ writing beginning next week through until October 12th will be, what for us, is the première arts event of the autumn season, the 44th Vancouver International Film Festival, which this year will run, in a somewhat truncated form, from Thursday, October 2nd through until Sunday, October 12th.

As far as we are able, we’ll attempt to keep the columns short, pithy, informational and full of our somewhat out on the edge opinions, bound to make some folks (usually the ones being written about) unhappy, while enlightening others in what we hope is an entertaining and provocative manner. As far as possible — given our advanced age (we’re 75 years of age now) and our general ill state of health (alas) — we’ll try to stay away from what once was our stock and trade: hyperbole, always fun to write but, perhaps now, a thing of VanRamblings’ ignominious past.

With the exception of Friday, September 5th — when, in the first person, we’ll write about our various health travails — we’ll continue to employ the third person voice on VanRamblings, which we know drives some people crazy, but there it is.

We look forward to your return tomorrow, and in the days, weeks and months hence, as we once again seek to build our loyal, and just plain great, readership — who want to know just what is going on in our municipal, provincial and federal governance, and the who, what and why of the decisions that impact our lives.

#BCPoli | Who Will Eby Appoint to His Cabinet?

BC Election 2024, BC Politics, BC Votes 2024, Canada, canadian politics, Essay, Politics, Vancouver, ,

As Premier David Eby prepares to announce his new Cabinet on November 18th, the selection process is particularly dynamic, especially pending judicial recounts in three British Columbia ridings that will take place this upcoming weekend.

With a significant reshuffle required due to retirements, re-election losses, and a pressing need to address evolving provincial issues, David Eby’s appointments will shape the next phase of the B.C. New Democratic Party’s (NDP) governance.

Premier Eby must balance geographic and gender considerations following an election in which a record number of women were elected — but the government lost considerable ground outside of the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.

The Premier must also find MLAs to replace Cabinet ministers who either retired before the election or were defeated.

Education Minister Rachna Singh; Minister of Water, Land and Resources and Minister Responsible for Fisheries, Nathan Cullen; Agriculture Minister Pam Alexis; Minister of State for Infrastructure and Transit, Dan Coulter; and Minister of State for Sustainable Forestry Innovation, Andrew Mercier, lost their re-election bids.

Finance Minister Katrine Conroy; Forests Minister Bruce Ralston; Indigenous Relations Minister Murray Rankin; Transportation Minister Rob Fleming; Minister of State for Child Care, Mitzi Dean; Labour Minister Harry Bains; and Environment Minister George Heyman are the big names to retire at the end of the past term.

Nearly half of the 27 Cabinet members Eby had before the election are not returning to government.


Former NDP Premier Glen Clark says he’s concerned that Premier David Eby will struggle to give rural B.C. a voice because the party won only five seats outside the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. Photo by Jason Payne / PostMedia Group

Glen Clark, NDP Premier from 1996 to 1999, told PostMedia’s Alec Lazenby that he’s concerned that Eby will struggle to give rural B.C. a voice because the party won only five seats outside the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. All 15 returning ministers are from those two regions.

Clark said at least two or three of the five NDP MLAs outside the major urban centres will need to be given a role in Cabinet. The five are Steve Morissette of Kootenay-Monashee, Harwinder Sandhu of Vernon-Lumby, Brittny Anderson of Kootenay Central, Tamara Davidson of North Coast-Haida Gwaii, and Randene Neill of Powell River-Sunshine Coast.


Former NDP Premier Mike Harcourt expects Premier David Eby’s Cabinet will be much smaller than his last one. Photo by Arlen Redekop / PostMedia Group

Another consideration has to be the reduced size of the NDP majority, says former NDP Premier, Mike Harcourt, giving Eby a smaller number of MLAs to work with.

Mike Harcourt, who was Premier of British Columbia from 1991 to 1996, said it will be important to place the experienced ministers in key portfolios such as finance, health, public safety and the attorney general’s office.

Harcourt cited Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth as a prime example and believes Jobs Minister Brenda Bailey would make a “very capable finance minister.”

Based on political signals and Eby’s policy priorities, here’s a look at some of the most likely and impactful Cabinet appointees.

Key Appointments in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland

David Eby’s Cabinet will likely reflect Vancouver’s strong support for the B.C. NDP, where they won 12 out of 13 seats.

A probable first-time appointee is Christine Boyle, who captured a decisive 62% of the vote in Vancouver-Little Mountain. Boyle, with deep ties to the Eby family and significant experience in climate advocacy, is poised to become Minister of Climate Change and the Environment. This would align her environmental background with the B.C. NDP’s efforts to address climate-related challenges.

In Vancouver-Yaletown, retired Vancouver Police Department Inspector Terry Yung secured his seat and is an anticipated addition to the Cabinet as Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. Yung’s experience in law enforcement is likely to align well with Eby’s agenda on community safety and public order. Veteran MLA Mike Farnworth, who previously held this role, may take over as Minister of Finance, a shift that would leverage his decades of experience in government.

In Vancouver-South Granville, incumbent Brenda Bailey has proven herself as an effective Minister in Eby’s prior government and is likely to retain her Cabinet position, or become the NDP’s new Finance Minister, as Mr. Harcourt suggests.

Health, a demanding and highly scrutinized Ministry, is expected to see a shift, with longtime Health Minister Adrian Dix moving to another post after overseeing the Ministry since 2017. Bowinn Ma, who has significantly bolstered the B.C. NDP’s presence in North Vancouver, is widely anticipated to take over Health, bringing fresh energy to a complex portfolio.

Regional Diversity and Inclusion of Rising Stars

Beyond the immediate Vancouver area, Eby’s Cabinet will reflect strategic regional representation. In the Interior, Harwinder Sandhu, one of the five BC NDP MLAs to be elected outside the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, and the Sunshine Coast, is almost guaranteed a Cabinet role. Her appointment would emphasize the BC NDP’s commitment to rural regions, showcasing representation in government.

Of course, as Glen Clark suggests, consideration must also be given to Steve Morissette (Kootenay-Monashee); two-term MLA for Kootenay Central, Brittny Anderson, who we think may have an inside track to becoming a junior Minister, or Minister of State; newly-elected B.C. NDP MLA, Tamara Davidson, who represents the riding of North Coast-Haida Gwaii; not to mention, retired, high profile broadcaster Randene Neill (Powell River-Sunshine Coast), who we think is a lock for an important portfolio in the first full-term of a David Eby government.

Burnaby, a steadfast NDP stronghold, will likely see several (re)appointments.

Anne Kang, re-elected in Burnaby Centre, could remain as Minister of Municipal Affairs. In Burnaby North, Janet Routledge has a chance to join the Cabinet, while Paul Choi, newly-elected in Burnaby South-Metrotown, could also be considered as Premier Eby aims to add fresh perspectives.

In Delta North, Ravi Kahlon will almost certainly continue as Housing Minister, an area of critical focus for the Eby government given the housing crisis across British Columbia. Housing remains a top issue for Eby, who himself made housing reforms a central part of his platform. A stable and experienced presence like Kahlon will be crucial to advancing these policies, especially in urban centres.

Focusing on Surrey and the Broader Metro Vancouver Region

Surrey, a key battleground in the recent election, remains strategically important to Premier David Eby, especially given the loss of some NDP seats there.

Should Garry Begg retain his seat following the judicial recount in Surrey-Guildford this weekend, he is expected to be a top pick for Cabinet to strengthen representation in this fast growing city. Additionally, newly-elected MLAs Amna Shah in Surrey City Centre and Jessie Sunner in Surrey Newton are strong contenders for Cabinet appointments. Eby’s attention to Surrey signals an understanding of the city’s growing political and economic influence in the province.

Reappointments and Strategic Shifts on Vancouver Island

On Vancouver Island, Grace Lore, who held the Minister of Children and Family Development portfolio, is highly likely to be reappointed given her success in Victoria-Beacon Hill and experience in child welfare issues. Lana Popham, a veteran minister, is also expected to retain a Cabinet position, either continuing in her tourism and cultural portfolio or perhaps taking on a new challenge.

Sheila Malcolmson, who has effectively led the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, is another probable reappointment following her victory in Nanaimo-Gabriola Island. Jodie Osborne, in the Mid Island-Pacific Rim riding, will likely be reappointed to the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, continuing her work on sustainable energy initiatives in British Columbia.

Gender Parity and Representation in Eby’s New Cabinet

With 31 out of 47 elected B.C. NDP members being women, there is a strong case for gender parity within the new Cabinet — with the possibility that two-thirds of the members of his new Cabinet will be women, reflecting their strength within the B.C. NDP caucus — a principle Eby has consistently championed. If the projected appointments proceed, Eby’s Cabinet will reflect a representative cross-section of the province, with an emphasis on female leaders in key ministries.

This commitment to gender parity aligns with Eby’s broader goal of promoting inclusivity within his government, thereby setting a standard for future Cabinets.

Notable Exclusions and Potential Surprises

While Vancouver-based MLAs dominate many of the Cabinet roles, some veterans may be left out. Spencer Chandra Herbert, who has represented Vancouver’s West End since 2009, and veteran B.C. NDP MLA Mable Elmore, representing Vancouver-Kensington, may not secure Cabinet spots due to the high concentration of Vancouver representatives. These omissions may underscore the difficult balancing act Eby faces as he strives to achieve both gender and regional representation.

Langford-Highlands’ Ravi Parmar, a relatively newcomer into the MLA ranks, elected from John Horgan’s former riding, might also be considered for Cabinet. Parmar’s inclusion would help strengthen Vancouver Island’s representation and honour Horgan’s legacy, which remains influential within the BC NDP.

A Cabinet for a New Political Era

In crafting his new Cabinet, Premier Eby aims to assemble a team that can tackle B.C.’s most pressing issues, from housing and health care to environmental sustainability and public safety. The mix of experienced veterans like Farnworth and Popham with rising stars such as Boyle and Ma reflects Eby’s commitment to balancing continuity with innovation.

The emphasis on regional and gender representation, coupled with a focus on critical ministries, positions this Cabinet to address the complexities of governing a diverse province. Moreover, by incorporating leaders from various backgrounds — public safety, municipal governance, environmental activism — Premier Eby’s Cabinet can approach these issues from fresh perspectives, creating policy solutions his government aims to resonate with a broad swath British Columbians.

#BCPoli | BC NDP | Snatching Victory From the Jaws of Near Defeat

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A troubled British Columbia Premier David Eby wondering how his government will hold power.

Save the judicial count of ballots in the ridings of Kelowna Centre — where a mere 38 votes separate BC Conservative candidate Kristina Loewen from her NDP challenger, Loyal Wooldridge — and Surrey-Guildford, where incumbent NDP MLA Garry Begg staged a tentative come-from-behind victory once the mail-in ballots had been counted, at present and before the judicial recount takes place this upcoming weekend, finds himself leading by a gargantuan 27 votes — judicial recounts rarely change the outcome — the 43rd British Columbia provincial election may well be considered to be all but over, with a bare majority of 47 seats in the 93-seat BC Legislature having been won by British Columbia New Democrats, the surprisingly robust, upstart BC Conservatives almost prevailing on election night, currently holding 44 seats in the house, with two Green MLAs rounding out the contingent of electeds who will sit in the BC Legislature through the next election.

While the BC NDP have prevailed, and will now form government for a record third consecutive time for an incumbent BC New Democratic Party — no mean feat that, given the strong desire expressed by the electorate for change — there’s no getting away from the fact that the 47th British Columbia election campaign run by the BC New Democrats was a botch job from beginning to end, despite the bare win, the most mundane, lacklustre, lethargic, utterly enervating, tone deaf, and uninspiring campaign the BC New Democratic Party has waged in its glorious 91-year history.


What good speech-making sounds like in the midst of a campaign. David Eby has to up his game.

And, who’da thunk that David Eby would prove to be such a terrible campaigner, or as former Chief of Staff to Premier John Horgan, Geoff Meggs, boldly stated on the Hotel Pacifico podcast during the course of the election campaign …

“During the campaign, David Eby was reasoned and lawyerly, when what was required was an impassioned and inspiring provincial political leader fighting for the social good,” said Geoff Meggs, “David Eby and the BC NDP waging a battle to represent all British Columbians, against a ne’er-do-well crew of bunko squad racist, misogynist, homophobic QAnon conspiracy theorists. How did the BC NDP not consign them to the dustbin of history?”


What a decent ad, a moving ad can do to motivate people. There are lessons to be learned BC NDP.

The BC NDP campaign for office was further harmed by the worst conceived voiceover campaign ads VanRamblings has seen in a generation, devoid of compassion, with no human faces ever shown, with no focus whatsoever on key issues — like the BC Conservative plan to scrap rent caps, which would detrimentally affect 600,000 households who rent, across the expanse of our province — with negative and utterly irrelevant backward focused campaign ads, rather than a forward focused campaign for government that would state “this is what we stand for, this is what we’re going to do for you, we’re the change you seek, we’re on your side.”

Had BC Conservative leader John Rustad had his wits about him — yes, a tall order we know — rather than choosing to run a troubled Bryan Breguet in Vancouver-Langara, when the popular former BC United candidate, Jamie Stein, would have won the riding in a walk; or had Rustad allowed popular Lumby Mayor Kevin Acton to run in the riding of Vernon-Lumby, rather than parachuting his Kamloops friend Dennis Geiesbrecht in as the BC Conservative candidate in Vernon-Lumby, the BC Conservatives rather than the BC NDP would have won a majority government, a majority which would have been further enhanced by allowing former BC United Richmond candidate Jackie Lee to run in Richmond-Steveston.

Is VanRamblings unhappy that our beloved British Columbia New Democratic Party — and leader / Premier David Eby, who we love with all of our heart — eked out an undeserved win in the 2024 British Columbia provincial election? Nope, despite our kvetching, we’re kind of over-the-moon. We believe the BC New Democratic Party to be comprised of kind and passionate human beings, as well as very bright, forward thinking Members of the Legislature who, universally, mean well for our province. We continue to believe that David Eby is a once-in-a-generation visionary leader who means much good for our province. So, colour us very happy, indeed.

In tomorrow’s column, we’ll focus on where the BC New Democratic Party government goes from here, and what the party and its elected members must do to remain in government — which we believe will be a much much easier task for the BC NDP to achieve than most political pundits currently believe may be the case.

Note. Humility, collaboration and consultation must carry the day going forward.