Squamish Nation Hereditary Chief Ian Campbell running for Vancouver mayor
SQUAMISH (NEWS 1130) – Squamish Nation Hereditary Chief Ian Campbell announced he will be running for mayor of Vancouver, hoping to make history as the first ever indigenous mayor.
Campbell explains he chose to run with Vision Vancouver because that banner has been a pioneer in creating a tolerant society.
“Vision has led the world in reconcile-action. It walks the talk on diversity and LGBTQ+, it has championed the arts, and in the past year it’s worked with the new government in Victoria to get new housing built and new rapid transit.”
Advertisement
Housing has been a major issue for a lot of mayoral candidates and Campbell says it’s a top priority for his campaign.
“We need to reinvigorate the pride in our communities, the sense of belonging and the hope for a better future. I want to see all of our neighbourhoods bustling with activity where neighbors talk with neighbors, and children grown up with positive experiences that last a lifetime. The only way we will get there is by making sure people are able to afford live in Vancouver.”
He also says homelessness and the overdose crisis in the Downtown Eastside is something people can no longer ignore, and that’s a change that starts with the mayor.
“I will demand better working with provincial and federal partners to get housing built with increased mental health and addiction supports that people rely on so that housing can be a strong and supportive community.”
Campbell also touched on transportation and the environment.
Advertisement
“Affordability is also about transportation and responsible land use. People need to know they can work live and play in a community that meets their needs and they have safe affordable convenient options for them and their families, ” says Campbell.
“They need to know that they have a clean environment and that they also need to know that they have a government that cares just as much about the climate and protecting the coast as they do.”
The municipal election will be held October 20th.
