Tag Archives: pete fry

VanElxn2022 | The Green Party of Vancouver | Seek A Renewed Mandate

#VanElxn 2022, #VanPoli Civic Politics, BC Politics, Politics, Vancouver, Vancouver Votes 2022, , , , , , , ,

Truth to tell, VanRamblings has some affection for all the folks involved in the Green Party of Vancouver. Deep in our heart we believe that — although we may differ on policy orientation, from time to time — that the Vancouver Greens seeking re-election to Vancouver City Council come the evening of E-Day, Saturday, October 15th — that would be incumbents Pete Fry, Michael Wiebe and Adriane Carr — along with Green Party of Vancouver candidates, Stephanie Smith and Devyani Singh … both of whom we know, like and admire … have the best interests of the citizenry of Vancouver at heart, and as a group are well-meaning and informed folks of conscience who day-in and day-out make decisions — with humility and heart — employing their best judgement on matters placed before them.

On July 9th, at Khatsalano Days in the Kitsilano Vancouver neighbourhood, VanRamblings happened across Vancouver City Councillor Michael Wiebe, who was standing in front of the Green Party of Vancouver booth. Spotting us, smiling that big goofy and welcoming smile of his, he waved us over to speak with him.

Now for a little context: last autumn, VanRamblings wrote that Mr. Wiebe and his Green Party colleague, Pete Fry, constituted two members of the Three Misogynist Musketeers brigade on City Council (Mayor Kennedy Stewart was the third party in the unkind trio), arising from their untoward treatment of their fellow Councillor, Colleen Hardwick, during the course, and outside, of Council meetings.

As well, when respected municipal affairs lawyer Ray Young published a report in September 2020 recommending that Mr. Wiebe resign his seat on Council, arising from a perceived conflict of interest — a report filed at the request of then City Manager, Sadhu Johnston — VanRamblings wrote three withering columns demanding Mr. Wiebe’s immediate resignation of his seat on Council.

With the above in mind, VanRamblings (gingerly) approached Mr. Wiebe. Towering over us (VanRamblings is height-challenged), Mr. Wiebe gave us a fist bump, and told us how glad he was to see us, after which we engaged in — by far — the best, the most expansive, the most detailed, the most informed, and the most humane conversation on Vancouver civic politics we have had with anyone involved in #vanpoli, at any point over the past four years.

Colour us mightily impressed.

Mature of demeanour, Mr. Wiebe — who we’ve known well since his election as a Park Board Commissioner, in 2014 — quietly let us know that these past four years have proved a mighty learning experience for the novice Vancouver City Councillor, which newfound knowledge, over the course of the past 24 months, has translated into a much more settled and thoughtful approach to governance, than previously.

Suffice to say, VanRamblings came away from that day’s discussion with Michael Wiebe with a respect and admiration for him, such that we are giving serious consideration to endorsing his candidacy for re-election to Vancouver City Council.

In June, while attending VanRamblings’ good friend (and long, our blog’s much-beloved webmaster) Mike Klassen’s 60th birthday party (Mike is currently an ABC candidate for Vancouver City Council) at the Polish Hall on Fraser Street, we were surprised to see respected and hard-working Green Party of Vancouver City Councillor Pete Fry in attendance. Seems that Mr. Fry & Mr. Klassen have known one another dating back to their days writing for and working on Reverend Moonbeam’s (Darren Atwater’s) much-beloved Terminal City newspaper.

In the 90s, Pete — on this day, with a smile as big as all outdoors crossing his face, his eyes sparkling like the commencement of new day at sunrise, full of promise and intent for good —  was, he informed us, the Digiboy of fame and (not quite so much) fortune at Terminal City, and Mike Klassen long a much cherished colleague.

As we expected may have proved to be the case with Mr. Wiebe, there was the possibility, and perhaps not so remote a possibility, that upon spotting us in the Polish Hall, the affable and good-natured (not to mention, incredibly bright and principled) Mr. Fry might have wanted to punch our lights out, given the untoward provocations that he, from time to time, felt had been visited upon him by VanRamblings. Well, here we are today, in one piece, with no bloody nose.

Unpretentious, possessed of good humour, welcoming, friendly, gregarious of nature, articulate (no wonder the media in this town love him), humane and humble, possessed of an uncommon equanimity of presentation and spirit, VanRamblings has long liked, respected and admired Pete Fry — and although Mr. Fry is no particular fan of VanRamblings, either the person or the blog — our affection and respect for Pete Fry has not diminished one iota in all the years we’ve known him. VanRamblings liked Pete in the past & like and admire him through until this day.

As such, as with Mr. Wiebe, VanRamblings would consider endorsing Pete Fry’s re-election to Vancouver City Council, as a thoughtful and considerate candidate possessed of much integrity, who means well for the citizens of Vancouver, always.


The 2022 Green Party of Vancouver campaign launch. Candidate speeches begin at 2:45.

Writing the above about Mr. Wiebe and Mr. Fry, we recognize that it is imcumbent on VanRamblings to set about to formally interview the two Green Party City Councillors — as we arranged last evening at the 2022 Green Party of Vancouver campaign launch — in order to give them voice, to provide each candidate for re-election a forum to have recorded why it is these outstanding Vancouver City Councillors feel they are deserving of your vote, and another term on Council (and, let’s face it, each of these fine candidates very much are worthy of your vote), and what it is they would see themselves accomplishing on a second term on Council.

#VanPoli | The Only Two Vancouver City Councillors Assured Re-Election

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In 355 days from today, the citizens of Vancouver will go to the polls to elect our next Mayor, and the 10 duly-elected Vancouver City Councillors who will make decisions on our behalf between November of 2022 and late October of 2026.

Most elections are the “throw the bums out” kinds of election, whether it be provincially, federally or municipally. The level of dissatisfaction with our elected officials is near off the charts these days. In Vancouver in 2018, a Vision Vancouver administration which held majority government for 10 years in our city were thrown out on their ears, with only incumbent, 19-year elected trustee Alan Wong surviving as the party’s sole elected representative, to Vancouver School Board.

As dedicated and hard working as are the entire contingent of our elected representatives at Vancouver City Hall, history — and the recent ‘change elections’ that were held in Calgary and Edmonton — tells us that the electorate are in a finicky mood, dissatisfaction with municipal elected officials is through the roof, and any objective analysis of electoral re-election prospects for our not-ready-for-prime amalgam of 10 Vancouver City Councillors and incumbent Mayor are dire, indeed.

In today’s VanRamblings headline, we write that only two Councillors will be re-elected to office in 2022. Should Coalition of Progressive Electors Councillor Jean Swanson opt to run for a 2nd term of office — by the time the 2022 Vancouver civic election rolls around, Ms. Swanson will be 80 years of age. Should she be re-elected on October 15, 2022, she would complete her next term of office at age 84. Joe Biden is the same age as Jean Swanson and appears to be doing well, and is set to run for re-election in 2024 — so “age” ought not to be a consideration in one’s re-election potential. Willingness to work into our mid-80s? There is that.

Councillor Colleen Hardwick would also be a lock to be re-elected in 2022 — we’ll explain why another time — but as it’s likely she’ll be the Mayoral candidate for the revived TEAM, that places her outside of the Councillor re-election sweepstakes.

Vancouver City Councillor Pete Fry is a lock to be re-elected to Vancouver City Council in 2022. As many disparaging things as we may write about Pete, nothing but a cataclysmic event will prevent the affable, if paranoid, Mr. Fry to being re-elected to a second, thankfully post-pandemic term  at Vancouver City Hall.

Now, VanRamblings believes that Mr. Fry has served an inauspicious first term.

  • 1. When Pete ran for office in 2018, VanRamblings made him promise that he would respond to every telephone call and e-mail he received in his office at City Hall, and that he would meet with citizens in the community — a la former Mayor, the late Philip Owen, or former COPE City Councillor, Tim Louis — to help resolve issues of concern, such as clogged drains, or improper drainage, or the myriad issues homeowners have to deal with that, more often than not, requires intervention from City Hall. Did Pete Fry follow through on this sacred promise. Nope. No he didn’t.
  • 2. The first year in office, Pete held up decision-making around the Council table by plunging Council into “amendment hell.” There was no motion presented by a City Councillor that he did not seek to amend, dragging Council meetings out into hour upon hour of fruitless discussions on meaningless amendments that served only to inhibit decision-making around the Council table. VanRamblings was told by our sources at City Hall that it was not Pete who was drafting the amendment motions, but then City Manager, Sadhu Johnston — who wished to sandbag our newly-elected Council from achieving the goals which got them elected to Council.

    Apparently, Pete had struck a deal with Mr. Johnston that would see Mr. Fry resign his office as a Green Party Vancouver City Councillor in March 2022, pull a Fritz Bowers and take on a senior administrative position at City Hall. Ain’t heard nothing on that front in recent months, tho, so that outcome would appear now to be ‘moribund’.
  • 3. Pete Fry’s big claim to fame in his first couple of years in office, aside from obstructing Council from making decisions, was two fold: i) passing the all-important “trial” project on reducing vehicular traffic to 30kmh on residential side streets, and ii) protecting the interests of China at Union of B.C. Municipalities conventions, so China could continue to treat delegates to Chinese goodies — this while both Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig were locked inside unlivable Chinese jails.

Now, as it happens, none of the three points made above matter a whit.

And why not?

Well, there are two good reasons that ensure Pete Fry will be re-elected.

As much as Pete Fry did not “de-escalate” the situation involving the Strathcona Park encampment resident, and as much as the “left” in Vancouver would disapprove of his intervention on behalf of his neighbour, that is not how the vast majority of the Vancouver electorate see Mr. Fry’s intervention.

Rather, the residents across the City of Vancouver see Pete Fry as a hero, a superman, a man who did what they would do in a similar situation — and that “belief” assures Pete Fry of re-election in 2022, as Vancouver’s Superman Hero, however much he would disclaim such an appellation or the accolations of Vancouverites.

Vancouver City Councillor Pete Fry gives “good quote,” he’s become Global BC’s ‘go to’ guy for on camera interviews about decisions that are made around the Council table, he’s articulate, bright, affable, engaged, and willing (and able) to answer any question that is put to him by the media — as such, Pete Fry has emerged as one of the few stars on the current term Vancouver City Council. The role of the media is to act as the voice of citizens. Most other Councillors have avoided the media like the plague — not Pete Fry, who is accountable and available always, humble as all get out (on this Council, that’s saying something), with one of the great voices of all time — calm, measured, reassuring, down-to-earth, a just folks kind of guy who is simply impossible to dislike.


Vancouver City Councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung at Council, with Lisa Dominato to her right

And then there’s VanRamblings’ favourite member of Vancouver City Council (even if she’s not a particularly big fan of ours … alas, it was always thus) — yes, we can hear you Councillors Melissa De Genova and Colleen Hardwick — we love you, too.

Vancouver City Councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung is not just VanRamblings’ favourite Vancouver City Councillor, she is — along with Vancouver West End NDP MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert, and B.C. Minister of Health, Adrian Dix (and if Patti Bacchus were an elected figure) — our favourite British Columbia elected official.

If Vancouver City Councillor Christine Boyle has emerged as the current Council’s biggest disappointment, activist City Councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung (a one-time Park Board Chair) has fulfilled her promise as an elected Councillor, and much more.

Not to pick on Councillor Boyle (yet again), Sarah Kirby-Yung is the complete social progressive on Vancouver City Council. Articulate, bright, incredibly hard-working, some have derided Councillor Kirby-Yung as a “populist” (the same appellation has been applied to Councillor Fry) — if that’s the case we’ll take a heaping handful of Ms. Kirby-Yung’s populism each and every day, and twice on Sunday.

The “mother” of the pandemic patio movement in Vancouver (now set to become a permanent summertime feature) is — yes, you guessed it — Councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung. In addition, Ms. Kirby-Yung is the push behind the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship race next year, an all-electric race set to take place in the city’s False Creek neighbourhood over the July 2022 long weekend.

“Formula E is a win on so many levels, from being a net-zero event that supports sustainable transportation to being a huge boost for our hard-hit tourism sector, our residents and our local economy,” Vancouver City Councillor said in a news release.

One year ago, Councillor Kirby-Yung was the big push behind a mask mandate for inside city facilities — a motion that went down to flaming defeat thanks in part to the fact that Pete Fry hates Councillor Kirby-Yung — there’s just no accounting for the ill motivations of some of our childish elected officials at Vancouver City Hall.

If the media loves Pete Fry — and they do — they’re absolutely infatuated with Ms. Kirby-Yung, for whom being in elected office means being available 24-7, always available not just to those in the working press, but to everyone, all Vancouver residents across the city, Ms. Kirby-Yung as a true blue advocate for all that is good and necessary and, as we’ve written previously, the one true Mayor of Vancouver.

Elected life, though, is not easy for Ms. Kirby-Yung. When she and Councillors Lisa Dominato, Rebecca Bligh and Colleen Hardwick left the Non-Partisan Association political party fold to sit as independents, the question arose as to the fate of each Councillor leading up to the 2022 Vancouver civic election.

We already know that Vancouver City Councillor Colleen Hardwick has re-formed her father’s old progressive party, TEAM, and for some time now, rumour has had it that Peter Armstrong has reached out to Rebecca Bligh to join with Ken Sim in the nascent, but well-funded, socially progressive A Better City Vancouver civic party.

Whither then Vancouver City Councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung, and her equally progressive colleague, Lisa Dominato (architect of B.C.’s SOGI 1 2 3 programme)?

Will Ms. Kirby-Yung (and Ms. Dominato) join their Council colleague Colleen Hardwick, and join with TEAM to seek a Council nomination? Nuh-uh. Not much likelihood of that. How about traipsing over to Ken Sim’s ABC, with Rebecca Bligh? Maybe, a possibility, we’ll see. Or, how about Ms. Kirby-Yung joins with her old (and young at heart, and socially progressive) Park Board colleague John Coupar, who is running with the Non-Partisan Association (NPA) as their Mayoral candidate?

Most folks — as in the vast majority of the electorate, well north of 90% in the months leading up to early October 2022, when VanRamblings predicts there’ll be a record low voter turnout — are unaware of the inner machinations of Vancouver politics, but they do know about the NPA. Or maybe Mark Marissen is chasing after Ms. Kirby-Yung to join his Progress Vancouver campaign for Vancouver civic office.

As we stated at the outset of our coverage of Vancouver civic politics, and next year’s Vancouver municipal election, “round and round she goes, where she stops nobody knows.” More VanRamblings civic coverage, hopefully tomorrow.