On Canada Day weekend 2011, Courier operatives entered city hall and planted a hidden camera in the mayors office, collecting hours of video footage. The following scene involving Mayor Gregor Robertson and Mike Magee, Robertsons chief of staff, took place Thursday, May 17.
Magee, bald and goateed, sits behind a large oak desk. On a nearby yellow beanbag chair, Robertson, wearing a grey suit, green tie and purple bicycle helmet, reads a book.
Well, well, well.
Whatcha reading, G-man?
A book about wells. Theyre all over the world. Its fascinating.
Magee rises, approaches Robertson, gently removes the book from his hands and studies the cover. One Well: The story of Water on Earth. For Grades 4 to 6. Whered you get this?
Robertsons desk intercom beeps and crackles. A nasal-voiced receptionist speaks. Morning, G-man. Police Chief Chu on line two.
Robertson rolls off the beanbag and taps the intercom. Hello Jimmy, whats the good word?
Mr. Mayor, I just finished meeting with our street unit. Frankly sir, were very concerned. This Atira mess has many of my senior officers wondering what to do.
Robertson furrows his brow. Magee makes a talking sign with his right hand.
Yes, I understand. Its a crucial issue that requires immediate attention. What exactly are you talking about?
Atira. The big social housing firm in the Downtown Eastside. Janice Abbott, that whole crew. Theyre running brothels in their buildings. They announced it last week but theyve been doing it for a while. Pimps hang around outside. Johns walk in and out. Its like a giant turnstile.
I see. Whats the downside?
Mr. Mayor, its illegal to operate a brothel, even in Vancouver. The Criminal Code is very specific about that. I know your office works closely with Atira. I know Abbott is connected in Victoria. But this is too much.
I understand. Let me look into it. Ill get back to you.
Robertson taps his intercom, ending the call. Whadya think, Mike?
Hmmm. This could hurt us. Most people dont care about prostitution, but a government brothel sounds extreme. Pimps represent a tiny portion of our voting block. Well do some polling. In the meantime, lets get the housing minister on the horn. Find out what the hells going on down there.
Magee taps the intercom. Betty, get Rich Coleman on the line.
Moments later. Hi, Mike, Rich Coleman here.
Hey, Im calling about this Atira thing. The brothels. The mayors very concerned. Who OKd this and how long has it been going on?
Its a tough one, Mike. Im not prepared to throw anybody under the bus.
Is it legal? We just talked to the police chief and hes crapping bricks.
I just dont have the answer. The actual act is not illegal, its the solicitation. We ask our providers to obey the law. But at the same time the rooms are their rooms.
Uh huh. OK, Rich, thanks anyway.
Magee taps the intercom, ending the call. Butthead. He doesnt care. There arent any brothels in Fort Langley. After next election, hell be flipping pancakes for the Kinsmen. We gotta go to the top. Shayne Ramsaythe CEO of B.C. Housing. He controls the purse strings, hes married to Janice Abbott. Hes the man.
Robertson falls back onto the yellow beanbag. I understand, Mike. Ive got my finger of the pulse of the Downtown Eastside. I promised to end homelessness, for frick sakes. Whos Janice Abbott?
She runs Atira.
Whats Atira? Think I missed that part.
Atira is the largest social housing firm in Vancouver. They get big money from B.C. Housing to operate all those hotels. You met Abbott at the Westin Bayshore fundraiser. She wiped mustard off your shirt.
Ah yes, Japadog. I can taste it now.
Magee taps the intercom. Betty, get me Shayne Ramsay on line two.
Sorry, Mike, Mr. Ramsays office does not accept incoming calls.
Dammit! I want Ramsay! The mayors pissed about this Atira thing.
Sorry, Mike, theres nothing we can do.
Twitter: @MarkHasiuk
