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Originally formed as the "Committee of Progressive Electors", COPE was formed in 1968 , when a number of Left-wing community groups and social justice organizations joined with the city's Labour Council to organize more effectively against the Non-Partisan Association -- a centre-right political party that had dominated civic politics in Vancouver. Frank Kennedy of the Vancouver & District Labour Council and Harry Rankin , an outspoken lawyer and city councillor, were key figures in shaping the coalition, along with activists from the British Columbia New Democratic Party and the Communist Party Of British Columbia . COPE is generally guided by Social-democratic principles, and has a long history of championing issues like improving public transit and investing in affordable housing. COPE nominates candidates for Mayor, City Councillor, School Board Trustee, and Parks Commissioner. COPE has a history of endorsing like-minded independents, and often fields fewer candidates than there are elected positions. This practice created an alliance between COPE councillors, candidates from the new-defunct Civic New Democrats, independent councillors, and progressive mayor Mike Harcourt in the 1980s . The party did not run a mayoral candidate in 2005. COPE MEMBERS OF VANCOUVER CITY GOVERNMENT In 2002 , an unprecedented surge in voter turnout elected the first COPE mayor and board majorities in Vancouver's history. Every candidate running under COPE's banner was elected City Council ( 2002 to 2005 ) (COPE candidates elected to 8 of 10 positions in all):
Note: The mayor and three other councillors left the party's caucus in 2004 to form Vision Vancouver . Vancouver School Board ( 2002 to 2005 ) (COPE candidates elected to 7 of 9 positions)
Board of Parks and Recreation ( 2002 to 2005 ) (COPE candidates elected to 5 of 7 positions)
Mayor Larry Campbell , a former police officer and a chief coroner, successfully delivered on a central campaign promise in 2003 -- opening North America's first safe-injection site for intravenous drug users, in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. However, by late 2004 , there were growing signs of disunity between the COPE mayor and some COPE councillors. Campbell formed an independent caucus along with three of his COPE colleagues (although they all remained as members of the party). The other COPE councillors remained in the original COPE caucus. The rebel COPE councillors (dubbed "COPE Lite" or "Diet COPE" by the media) eventually separated and formed an new party, Vision Vancouver , to run in the 2005 municipal election. COPE did not run a mayoral candidate to challenge Vision nominee, former COPE concillor Jim Green . In the election for Vancouver City Council held in November 2005, only one COPE councillor (David Cadman) was elected. The party was reduced to three seats on the city school board and two on the parks board. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS |
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