Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson has announced he won’t be seeking re-election in October’s civic election.
In a Facebook post, the mayor wrote it was “one of the hardest decisions” of his life.
Robertson first ran for mayor in 2008.
“I love Vancouver and our amazing people,” read his post.
“I love serving our city as Mayor. When I finish my third term later this year, the decade in office will be the longest consecutive run as Mayor in Vancouver’s history.”
Robertson said he will focus on securing funding for the Broadway Subway and transit projects across the region, as well as housing affordability during his last months as mayor.
Robertson said he decided not to run after spending time with family and friends over the holidays and reflecting on his future.
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“It’s been the greatest honour of my life to serve this extraordinary city, and help make Vancouver an inspiration to people and cities around the world.”
He finished his post by saying he feels blessed to live in Vancouver.
“I feel like I’m leaving the place a lot stronger than when I came in and that’s important to me,” said Robertson at a press conference on Wednesday.
As for what’s next, Robertson said, “I don’t have any plans to continue on in politics. I’m not speculating on any kind of political next steps.”
Looking back
But just back in October, Robertson had different plans.
“My plan is to run again in 2018 and keep the momentum going,” Robertson told Global News.
In December, Robertson lost his seat as chair of the Mayors’ Council on Transportation to Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan. Robertson had been in the position for three years.
But Robertson says that did not influence his decision to not seek re-election.
WATCH: Mayor Robertson said he would run again in 2018
He also affirmed the result from last October’s by-election, where Vision Vancouver lost a councillor seat to the Non-Partisan Association (NPA), did not factor into his decision.
When asked if he regretted his campaign promise of eliminating homelessness by 2015 Robertson said the city needs to continue to set big goals and work with the provincial government to achieve them.
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