Mayors of Vancouver, Surrey form oddball partnership

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Not many political watchers would have anticipated this following the civic election — but the mayors of Vancouver and Surrey appear to be developing an oddball partnership.

And this comes despite very different placements on the political spectrum.

If Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart, a former NDP MP, and Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum, a dedicated fiscal conservative, went out for a beer, would they agree on anything?

But at the regional level — they’re finding plenty in common. They’ve supported pushes for SkyTrain expansions in each of their communities, Stewart has offered up Vancouver PD support for Surrey’s plan to transition away from the RCMP and they’re also keen on what they call a “smart cities” initiative.

For Stewart, he insists this is the latest example of his efforts to reach across the aisle if it means getting things done.

“In Ottawa, I worked with Conservatives that people — someone in the NDP — would never speak to, in order to get motions like electronic petitions passed in the House of Commons,” says Stewart. “I kind of put all that other stuff aside, and say, where can we agree?”

Well, Mayor Stewart says they agree on enough — especially on expanding SkyTrain in both communities — that the differences don’t matter as much.

“I really enjoy working with Doug,” says Stewart. “Reputations precede us. He and I may not agree on some larger policy issues, but in terms of making our cities better, I’m enjoying that relationship.”

With weighted votes an option at the mayors council, the pair will be able to push their agenda through with minimal support if they deem it necessary.