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Ladner shrugs off COPE/Vision deal as ‘uneasy backroom alliance’

Non-Partisan Association mayoral candidate Peter Ladner predicted smooth sailing for his party despite the recent announcement of a COPE/Vision alliance that could produce a united front on the left.

Addressing a phalanx of video cameras and microphones at the NPA’s new headquarters this afternoon, Ladner said his campaign would remain unchanged in the face of what he called “an uneasy backroom alliance.”

Asked if the deal scuttled NPA hopes that a determined COPE drive could draw votes from Vision and split the left vote, he questioned whether the deal – which still has to be ratified by Council of Progressive Electors (COPE) members – would even go into effect.

“We don’t know if it will be a united front,” Ladner said. “It could come apart at any time.”

Ladner also said the alliance would entrench Vision on the left, making it harder for Gregor Robertson to deal with the provincial government on such issues as social housing, crime and transportation.

“I don’t think that bodes well for the City of Vancouver,” he said.

The Vision/COPE deal was reached after weeks of intense negotiations that resulted in an agreement not to compete in the municipal race, though each party will run separate campaigns.

Heather Deal, an incumbent Vision candidate for council nomination, called Ladner’s criticisms “laughable.”

“What we’re seeing with Robertson is a broad appeal,” Deal told the Tyee, shrugging off any fears that the deal could alienate right-of-centre voters.

As a result, she said, Vision should have no problem when dealing with higher levels of government, adding that Ladner should be more concerned with pressing local issues instead of provincial-municipal relations.

Though she said she couldn’t comment on whether COPE would ratify the deal during a policy conference on September 14, she said the alliance would be great for the Vision campaign.

“Absolutely it gives us a better chance," Deal said.

Geoff Dembicki is a staff reporter for The Hook.


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