COPE’s membership has voted to ratify a union with Vision Vancouver and the civic Greens that will see all three parties run a joint slate under mayoral candidate Gregor Robertson.

“(They) voted overwhelmingly in agreement,” said COPE's incumbent Coun. David Cadman.

Under the deal, the Council of Progressive Electors (COPE) will run two candidates for council, five for school board and two for park board. Apart from one Green candidate running for a parks position, the remaining positions will be filled by Vision Vancouver.

Though the three parties will be waging separate campaigns, they intend to meet in coming weeks to draft common policies around issues such as homelessness.

Cadman said the decision to unite was an important move that greatly improves the chances of defeating the ruling Non-Partisan Association.

“It would have been very difficult if we’d all run slates competitively,” Cadman said. “We would have virtually guaranteed that the NPA would have won.”

The decision took place during what was most likely a lively policy debate at St. James Community Hall on Sunday afternoon.

Before the rank and file voted to exclude the media from the discussion, several COPE members – including former city councillor Tim Louis – levelled objections against the proceedings.

Member John Yano referred to the union as “the stinking deal with Vision,” before walking away from the microphone in what appeared to be anger.

Outside the hall, COPE candidate Imtiaz Popat said the debate inside was “tense” and “emotional.”

Following the vote, Louis told The Tyee that he stood wholeheartedly behind the decision. Though he has been one of the most vocal opponents of the deal, he said it was time to move forward.

“COPE is a membership driven party,” Louis said. “The membership are always right. The membership decided today. And I will be bound to honour their decision.”

Geoff Dembicki is a staff reporter for The Hook.

See also Frances Bula's thoughtful post.