Vancouver Burrard to get a new MLA

So there are going to be two provincial by-elections in Vanoucver on October 29th, two weeks after the federal election. While I understand that there is a legal requirement to call by-elections within six months of a vacancy, I also do not see the point of electing two MLAs for Vancouver who will sit for about two months before the May 2009 election. The BC Liberals saw fit not to sit at all this fall even further alleviating the need for by-elections. Nonetheless, residents in Vancouver Burrard will have the option of voting on October 29th, and I for one think that there is someone running who is definitely worth supporting.

I should be open up front, I have done a little bit of volunteer work for Spencer Herbert, NDP candidate for Vancouver Burrard. I plan on doing more volunteer work during the campaign. I should also make it clear that I am not partisan. I did join the NDP so that I could support Spencer’s bid for the nomination, but I am not over enamoured with the federal or provincial NDP. I have never voted NDP in a provincial election. I would not be inclined to vote NDP in May of 2009 either, except for the fact that Spencer Herbert is a great candidate.

One of the main reasons I am so supportive of Spencer Herbert is his age. He is in his late 20s but has already served three years as a Vancouver Parks Board commissioner. He has a real sense of honesty and virtue about him that is probably in many ways related to his youth. He seems to care most about the people who need help the most. Housing is one of his number one issues, and I can think of little that is more important to residents in downtown Vancouver. The thousands of homeless that live in Vancouver can be seen throughout Vancouver Burrard. While the greatest problems are found in the Downtown Eastside, the homeless issue affects all of Vancouver, and particularly Vancouver Burrard.

Another reason, and one that I really think is important is that Spencer is queer. While a person’s sexuality is not the best reason to vote for someone, it certainly does help them to understand issues of importance to the queer community. It is possible for straight people to be really great allies, but there is no real substitute for the queer community having queer politicians representing them. Lorne Mayencourt has been the MLA in Vancouver Burrard for the past 7 years, and while he has worked on issues of importance to the queer community, he cannot hope to be as effective as Spencer Herbert. Mayencourt had to work within a political party that was not keen on any of his initiatives. Spencer, on the other hand, would be in a party that is far more supportive of the queer community.

I hope that residents in Vancouver Burrard take note of the by-election and take a little bit of time to learn about Spencer Herbert. The Liberals are running Arthur Griffiths in the riding, who other than name recognition really offers very little to Vancouver Burrard residents. Griffiths is a millionaire by birth. He cannot possibly understand an issue like homelessness, or the incredible cost of renting an apartment. He cannot possibly understand what it is like for people like myself to struggle to pay rent and their student loans even though I have a good job.

Spencer Herbert understands the struggles that are facing residents in Vancouver Burrard. He understands that you learn more by listening that simply by spewing the party line to you. He understands that residents in Vancouver Burrard need an MLA who will be active and visible in the riding.

Visit www.spencerherbert.ca to find out more about where Spencer stands on the issues.