Ken Sim pledges support for North Shore SkyTrain line as Kennedy Stewart releases platform

A Vancouver mayoral candidate is pledging his support for aSkyTrain line that would run from North Vancouver over the Iron Workers Memorial Bridge and into downtownVancouver as a key highlight of his platform.

Ken Sim ofA Better City (ABC) spoke about the idea of aSkyTrain expansion connecting with the existing Expo Line Tuesday at Hastings Racecourse, located in the northeast part of Vancouver.

He said he'd like to see the area, which is also home to the Pacific National Exhibition, served by SkyTrain.

"It's fairly easy to get here by car, but not so much by transit," he told reporters.

Sim's pledge aligns with a commitment from TransLink and Metro Vancouver mayorsto build a rapid transit connection to the traffic-snarled North Shore, which was unveiled earlier this yearin theTransport 2050 strategy.

The method of rapid transit to the North Shore has not been determined, nor has the cost, funding, route or potential date of completion.

Sim took the opportunity Tuesday to highlight how his transit plancontrasts with thatof incumbentKennedy Stewart, whorecently revealed his hopes for aVancouver Loop SkyTrain expansion from the University of British Columbia's Point Grey campus along the 41and 49avenues to Metrotown.

Sim said he will work with municipalities to securefunding for his proposed expansion.

"The difference between [Stewart's]fantasy loopand our first transit priority after the UBCline is teamwork," Sim said.

"Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton they're all amalgamated cities that automatically have one voice when advocating for regional projects. Here in Metro Vancouver, it's just not that simple. There are 23 local authorities that can weigh in and we need to work together."

Sim was joined Tuesday by incumbent mayoral candidates Richard Stewart of Coquitlam andMike Little of the District of North Vancouver, who are bothare seeking re-election.

When asked whetherhis appearance was anendorsement of Sim, Little said it wasa "broad endorsement" of the priorities outlined in theMayors' Council on Regional Transportation's plan.

Increased renter protection, Olympic plebiscite pitched on campaign trail

Stewart's vision for a Vancouver loop was included in his party's platform, which was released on Tuesday.

Forward Together's platform focusedheavily onhousing, with a goal of approving 220,000 new homes over 10 years with an emphasis on affordable homes.

His platform also containedpledges to increase renter protections, double child-care spaces and tackle climate change.

"In this tight election, Vancouver votershave a clear choice: do we want aVancouver where only some people get ahead or a city that works for all of us?" Stewart said.

Colleen Hardwick, mayoral candidate for TEAM, is expected toannounce a plan to replace the proposed Broadway subway extension to UBC with light rail across Vancouver on Wednesday.

Election night is set for Oct. 15. Advance voting has already begun in Vancouver.