WHY DID ANDREA REIMER TURN HER BACK on other WOMEN?

Oldtown News
Vancouver, BC

WHY DID ANDREA REIMER TURN HER BACK on other WOMEN?

In the recent Vision nomination race, former Vancouver School Trustee, Andrea Reimer who successfully obtained a Vision Council nomination was actively promoting a slate of seven people.

For ballots to be counted and not spoiled, Vision members had to choose 8 nominees for Council spots.

Ms Reimer publicly endorsed the four Vision incumbents, Heather Deal, George Chow, Raymond Louie and Tim Stevenson. Plus she endorsed newcomers Kashmir Dhaliwal, Kerry Jang and herself.

For some reason Ms Reimer wouldn't endorse an 8th nominee.

Ms Reimer is a prominent leader of the Women's Campaign School and she has always articulated that politics needs more female representatives.

Yet when she had the opportunity to advance this principle, she supported only two females out of 8 council candidates vying for Vision nominations.

One has to wonder why Ms Reimer took such a low-ball approach in regard to advancing women in municipal politics?

If she supported either Heather Harrison, Catherine Evans or Vaune Adams Kolber, all very capable women who deserved to be nominated, she would have incurred the wrath of Mr Geoff Meggs who was also seeking a Vision Council nomination.

If she ticked off Mr Meggs she would probably lose support from the labour movement who are strong supporters of Mr Meggs.

But what kind of message is Ms Reimer conveying to the public and especially women of this city, who make up 50% of the population, by refusing to promote very well-qualified female candidates for nomination?

It seems Ms Reimer first took care of herself which she is entitled to do and one would expect this from her.

Ms Reimer though went on to endorse another two Vision men on top of the three she already supported knowing full well that this move would tank the chances of strong female candidates such as Ms Harrison, Ms Evans and Ms Adams Kolber.

Ms Reimer though went even further. With her absolute silence and withholding of her support regarding the 8th Vision spot, she sealed the fate of her Vision female colleagues who were all unsuccessful in their bids to win Vision council nominations.

Talk about cut-throat politics.

I sure hope women of this City realize what Ms Reimer accomplished and hold her to account for her actions.

The best place to voice our displeasure is at the ballot box on Saturday, November 15

Jamie Lee Hamilton
tricia_foxx@yahoo.com