Ifor more likely at this point whenthe NPA fails to win a majority in the upcoming municipal election, it wont be for lack of money. The party will lose because of its policies. But Ill get to that in a moment.
At this weeks annual general meeting, NPA party president John Moonen reminded the 100 or so upbeat folks in attendance their fundraising dinner last October was very profitable. That was followed by NPA election campaign chair Peter Armstrongs report pointing out that, with conservative developer Rob Macdonald as the campaigns finance chair, they are well ahead of their targets for fundraising. In fact, he said, money is rolling in a lot earlier than it ever has before.
And how much money will the NPA spend on the campaign? Campaign manager Norman Stowe says a lot. And that would mean millions.
Money cant buy you love, but in an election, particularly with Vancouvers at-large contest, its essential. The centre-left, which was COPE and is now a coalition of COPE and Vision Vancouver, never stood a chance at a majority while they primarily relied on union donations. Then they ran (Liberal) Larry Campbell for mayor and accessed pools of money mostly controlled by developers. That has been increased by the green business money Mayor Gregor Robertson and his crowd have brought to the party thanks to his connections with Joel Solomon.
COPE knows full well it will be cut off from its main source of fundsunion donationsunless it shares the ballot with Vision. Thats a major motivation for a coalition deal.
(That deal, incidentally, could still be in jeopardy if on Sunday Tim Louis manages to snag one of the three COPE nomination slots for council.)
As for the Green Party, well, every time since 1996 they have formed a coalition with a party that has deeper pockets they have managed to elect a candidate. They got zilch when they refused a deal.
This time, when they refused a deal and instead supported Adriane Carrs decision to run for council, the party fell apart and their chair, Ben West, quit. It was noted, by the way, that a couple of NPA candidates were sniffing around whatever phone booth the Greens were meeting in this week hoping to throw their support behind Green park board candidate Stuart Mackinnon. (NPA mayoral candidate Suzanne Antons response to that fishing expedition was this: Im not actually aware of that.)
Having said that, it isnt just the moneyits how you spend it and what your message is. And the first thing we see the NPA spending money on is a radio ad attacking Visions green agenda. It comes with the shorthand of chickens in the back yard and wheat fields in the front yard.
If youre puzzled by this strategy youre not alone. While former NPA mayoral candidate Peter Ladner was in the room during the NPA AGM Wednesday night to show his support, Thursday morning he sent an email to the NPA campaign committee telling them you have got to be careful here.
In his column this week in Business in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»he wrote: Politicians and candidates be warned: Ridiculing urban farming is a no-win strategy. And he added: Food security is marching up the priority list in cities around the world, and Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»should be leading, not resisting, this movement.
In her speech to the folks at the AGM, Anton also said she has no particular interest in green jobs. Any jobs will do. Another shot at Vision and Robertson.
If youre wondering where this strategy found its birth, check out the blog created by former Sam Sullivan staffers Daniel Fontaine and Mike Klassen. Add that to the venomous attacks on bike lanes by developer Macdonald to complete the picture of where well see the NPA spend its money. Its already dividing the NPA base. It may also drive disenchanted Vision supporters back to the fold.
