Robertson enters Vancouver mayoral race

Vowing to end petty party politics at city hall, Gregor Robertsonended daysof speculation Sundayby formally launching his bid to become mayor of Vancouver.

The 43-year-old B.C. New Democratic Party MLA is the latest candidate to announce that he will try to unseat mayor Sam Sullivan in November's civic elections.

Speaking to about 200 enthusiastic supporters at the Vancouver museum onSunday afternoon,Robertson wasted no time attackingthemayor.

"As a leader of this city, our mayor is failing us and I can no longer stand by in good conscience,'' he said.

Hewill runwith the blessing of NDP Leader Carole James, and is expected to keep his job as the NDP MLA for Vancouver Fairview while seeking the nomination to become amayoral candidate for the civic opposition party, Vision Vancouver.

"I think it's important we have a progressive voice in the city of Vancouver, and you certainly haven't seen that under Sam Sullivan,'' James said.

She said the city needs a better leader because of the many problems it faces, including homelessness andmental illness in the Downtown Eastside.

Robertson is the co-founder of juice maker Happy Planetand describes himself as "living proof that business success can happen while acting responsibly toward people and the environment.''

On Sunday, he said his four priorities include:

• Ending homlessness.
• Improving the quality of life for ordinary Vancouver citizens.
• Making Vancouver the greenest city in the world.
• Making Vancouver a creative capitol by encouraging entrepreneurship, arts, culture and sports.

Robertson also said he would make fighting crime a priority by not "shortchanging police on the resources they need."

The launch of his bid comes 48 hours after Peter Ladner, a Vancouver city councillor,said he plans to challenge Sullivan for the Non-Partisan Association party's nomination in November's civic elections.

In seeking the Vision Vancouver nomination, Robertson will compete with Vancouver parks commisioner Alan De Genova and city Councillor Raymond Louie.

Saying its time for a change, Robertson launched his campaign to the strains of U2's It's a Beautiful Day. The news conference was attended by well-heeled NDP supporters, such as journalist Bill Tieleman and philanthropist Joel Solomon.