The Coalition of Progressive Electors (COPE) announced Sunday that Stephanie Allen is seeking the mayoral nomination.
“This is a moment that calls for political courage,” said Allen. “I’m inspired by COPE’s unapologetic fight for our city. I’m joining this fight because people in Vancouver need leadership with the experience and heart to fight for the public good, not just predatory wealth and the super-rich.”
Allen has a history of being involved with the Vancouver community.
She co-founded the Hogan’s Alley society with the creation of a community land trust.
Allen is also the former vice-president of BC Housing.
“When I worked at BC Housing as vice-president, I saw firsthand how governments are starving non-profits of the funding they need to produce and maintain affordable housing for people.”
One focus of Allen’s campaign is fighting against political interference from billionaires.
“It’s about a movement of people fighting back against a rigged systemthat works for private equity, predatory wealth, and the ultra-rich, and leaves the rest of us struggling to get by.”
Another focal point of Allen’s campaign is tenants’ rights and needs.
“Despite [tenants] being over half of Vancouver’s population, City Hall has time after time left renters behind. We need to strengthen Vancouver’s tenant protections, including against displacement, and make sure that every renter is secure, city-wide. We have to close the loopholes that put profits over people, private equity over community.”
Current Vancouver city councillor, representing COPE, is getting behind Allen.
“The system is rigged against regular people. Stephanie gets that,” said Sean Orr, COPE Vancouver city councillor. “She’s someone who will fight to make Vancouver affordable, accountable, and accessible for everyone. I’m excited to work with her.”
Allen uses the slogan, “All power to the people”, which is a mainstay of COPE.
“Around the world, and here in Vancouver, billionaires like Chip Wilson are buying politicians and elections to make the system work for them instead of us. We’re seeing democratic backsliding, and too many people’s voices are being ignored.”
She also is trying to prop up what she considers is a dying cultural landscape in Vancouver.
“We need to support our arts, culture, and nightlife community, not starve them for funding and crack down on the creators who make it happen. We need to fund our libraries, community centres, and pools, not make them lay off staff or fall apart from neglect.”
COPE votes on May 11 for their mayoral candidate but Allen is the only one to announce her bid so far.
The Vancouver election takes place on Oct. 17.