Vancouver’s mayor-elect said he’s looking forward to a productive working relationship with B.C.’s newly elected Conservative government. Pete Fry said he’s already reached out to the incoming Conservative MLA’s in four Vancouver ridings, as well as premier-designate Lorne Doerkson. “I ran into premier-designate Doerkson about a month ago, and we kind of joked that we might be in very different positions in about a month,” he said. “And so, here we are.” The city’s first Green Party Mayor said his main priorities in working with the province include housing, increasing the number of shelter spaces, and health care. Fry pointed to his eight years as the Vancouver representative to the Union of B.C. Municipalities in helping him build relationships with senior Conservative MLA’s. “I want to make sure that we get off on the very best possible foot,” he said. “We may have some differences on social policy-type stuff, but I think that premier-designate Doerkson’s speech at his victory sent a very clear signal that he’s excited to see more prosperity for British Columbia, more investment for British Columbia.” Fry is preparing to lead a left-leaning council, and acknowledges there will be challenges ahead, but believes the provincial government will be supportive. “I’m thoughtful and positive that I think it’s going to go great,” he said. When asked how Fry should approach the relationship, Mayor Ken Sim advised him to govern with the city’s best interests in mind. “I hope they do stick up for Vancouver if there’s something that Victoria’s doing that doesn’t make sense for Vancouver,” he said. Fry and the new council will be sworn in on Nov. 2.
