Mayor Stewart took to Twitter to claim Coun. Hardwick’s “action violates the signed agreement between the governments of Vancouver and Whistler” and host First Nations
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A war of words has erupted over a Vancouver councillor’s push to get a plebiscite on the city’s possible 2030 Olympic bid onto the ballot this fall.
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Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart called out Coun. Colleen Hardwick for pursuing the vote, saying it breaches an agreement the city has made with the host First Nations who were working to make the Winter Olympics the first “reconciliation Games.”
Stewart took to Twitter to claim Hardwick’s “action violates the signed agreement between the governments of Vancouver and Whistler with the Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Líl̓wat upon whose unceded lands our cities are built.
“City council approved a formal memorandum of understanding (MOU) to work in partnership with host First Nations to explore how the 2030 Winter Olympics might become the world’s first reconciliation games.”
Stewart said he won’t second Hardwick’s motion. He also urged other councillors to think about what it would mean to “essentially tear up our MOU” with the First Nations, and what it “says about their own commitments to reconciliation.”
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Hardwick plans to oppose Stewart for the mayor’s seat in October as part of TEAM for a Livable Vancouver, after she quit the NPA in a dispute over that party’s mayoral nomination process.
Some councilors say they’d like to talk to First Nations partners before considering whether to hold a vote on the Olympic bid.
“A motion for a plebiscite, without talking with the nations, disrespects that (MOU) and our relationship with Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh,” said Coun. Sarah Kirby-Yung on social media.
The grassroots group that launched the Vancouver 2030 bid last month, however, sees a plebiscite as a positive step in getting people behind the bid.
“Our vision has always held that this bid be led by the four host First Nations,” said Vancouver 2030 president Tsatassaya White in a statement. “Our goal is to reignite the flame, unite people, and to serve in helping respectfully.”
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2030 CEO Emilio Rivero said a plebiscite on Vancouver’s 2010 Winter Games came too late and at too high a cost. “The plebiscite now proposed if passed by city council will be done at the right time, and at a very low cost as it will be embedded in the upcoming civic election of Oct. 15,” said Rivero.
On social media, Rivero was unequivocal in his support of Hardwick’s motion: “As CEO of Vancouver 2030, I do want to declare that we fully support the proposed plebiscite by Coun. Hardwick.”
Another bid organizer, Mark Hamilton, said it’s a chance to gauge public support. “The plebiscite will provide clear indication if the community is onboard and gives them the final voice on if we proceed or not,” said Hamilton.
The motion will be up for debate at council’s next meeting on Tuesday, March 29.
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