WATCH: Gregor Robertson managed to fend off challenger Kirk LaPointe, but as Jill Bennett reports, it came at the expense of Vision’s control of the school and park boards. Jill Bennett reports.
Gregor Robertson will serve a third term as mayor of Vancouver after defeating NPA candidate Kirk LaPointe in Saturday’s municipal election.
When all the reporters were counted, Robertson finished with 83,529 votes, well ahead of LaPointe, who had 73,443. Meena Wong, COPE’s first mayoral candidate since 2002, was in third with 16,791 votes.
Robertson’s Vision Vancouver party also took six of 10 seats on city council, with the NPA winning three. Councillor Adriane Carr of the Green Party was re-elected, earning more votes than any other council candidate.
WATCH: Gregor Robertson speaks to supporters after winning third term as Mayor
“Six years ago, we took up the challenge of leading our city in an ambitious new direction,” said Robertson in his victory speech. “We took on the most important issues of our time–homelessness, climate change, affordability. We committed to lead, not follow.”
Robertson headed into election season as an early favourite, but LaPointe later closed within 5 percentage points of Robertson in polls leading up to election day. NPA leaders were hopeful that reports of high voter turnout were a sign that many Vancouverites were looking for a change at City Hall.
- Full 2014 Vancouver civic election results
Voter turnout appeared to be high with reports of some polling stations running out of ballots. The City of Vancouver went as far as to tweet the locations of less busy voting locations. The City also extended voting hours at four polling stations.
The results cap what has been one of the most contentious mayoral elections in the city’s history with Robertson launching a defamation lawsuit against LaPointe for “false and defamatory” claims in The Province newspaper, the NPA’s website, at a press conference, and in TV and radio ads.
No clear ballot issue emerged during the campaign, which instead focused on the perception that Robertson had spent six years implementing policies on issues such as social housing, density and bike lanes without consulting residents or listening to their concerns.
Robertson responded to those complaints during an all candidates’ debate this past Wednesday, using the debate’s opening question to deliver an unprompted apology to voters.
Robertson struck a similar tone in his victory speech.
“I’ve heard from lots of Vancouverites about their strong beliefs and love for our city, our shared values,” said Robertson following his victory. “I’ve also heard loud and clear that there are things that we can do better, and we will over these next four years.”
LaPointe had never run for elected office, having worked extensively in the media, including The Canadian Press, the National Post, the Vancouver Sun and most recently as ombudsman of CBC News.
“This was quite a ride,” said LaPointe to Global BC. “It was a lot of fun. It was a real privilege too. Someone approached me for a beer and a burger back in March and I had no idea I’d be here tonight. In a really close race, we did really well. I’m really proud of this group.”
The NPA made some inroads, winning four of seven park commissioner seats. Vision and the NPA each won four school board seats with the Greens winning one.
If he completes his third term, Robertson will be the longest, continuously serving mayor in Vancouver history.
-with files from Justin McElroy and Canadian Press
WATCH: Kirk LaPointe concedes Vancouver mayoral election
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