Marking 20 years
of bold journalism,
reader supported.
News

COPE's Lone Councillor Sheds No Tears for Green

Cadman says chance to reunite was nixed.

Sam Cooper 24 Nov 2005TheTyee.ca

image atom
Cadman: funding was light

As David Cadman sees it, Jim Green paid the ultimate price for leaving COPE behind.

While much has been made of mysterious independent candidate James Green possibly stealing votes from Jim Green and handing the Vancouver mayor's seat to Sam Sullivan, Cadman says it's not true.

"I don't think it was a real issue at all, I think that is just an excuse," Cadman told The Tyee. "I maintain that if Jim Green had run for COPE he would have won."

Cadman predicted a unified COPE would have maintained a strong council majority, but the division ushered the NPA back to power.

'Take some responsibility'

"I basically brought Larry Campbell on for Mayor (in 2002), and then these people that came in with COPE left, including Jim Green who was a member for 32 years. I think Jim Green has to take some of the responsibility for the split."

"What happened is the division created a situation where COPE didn't have the financial resources to run a strong campaign," Cadman added.

Cadman also said that the unions desperately wanted a unified left slate, but Green's organization turned a deaf ear when union reps came forward with reunification suggestions at an opportune time, when Larry Campbell was appointed to the Senate.

"Many would have approached them to say this is the time to get back together," Cadman said. "But they (Vision Vancouver) were sure of victory and sure Jim Green would be mayor."

Sam Cooper is a reporter for The Tyee.  [Tyee]

  • Share:

Facts matter. Get The Tyee's in-depth journalism delivered to your inbox for free

Tyee Commenting Guidelines

Comments that violate guidelines risk being deleted, and violations may result in a temporary or permanent user ban. Maintain the spirit of good conversation to stay in the discussion.
*Please note The Tyee is not a forum for spreading misinformation about COVID-19, denying its existence or minimizing its risk to public health.

Do:

  • Be thoughtful about how your words may affect the communities you are addressing. Language matters
  • Challenge arguments, not commenters
  • Flag trolls and guideline violations
  • Treat all with respect and curiosity, learn from differences of opinion
  • Verify facts, debunk rumours, point out logical fallacies
  • Add context and background
  • Note typos and reporting blind spots
  • Stay on topic

Do not:

  • Use sexist, classist, racist, homophobic or transphobic language
  • Ridicule, misgender, bully, threaten, name call, troll or wish harm on others
  • Personally attack authors or contributors
  • Spread misinformation or perpetuate conspiracies
  • Libel, defame or publish falsehoods
  • Attempt to guess other commenters’ real-life identities
  • Post links without providing context

LATEST STORIES

The Barometer

Are You Concerned about AI?

Take this week's poll