Vancouver appoints ‘special adviser’ for provincial, federal issues

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson's close ally, friend and political strategist is quitting as chief of staff to become the mayor's "special adviser" focused on getting money from Ottawa.

The move follows the election of a federal Liberal Party whose platform, in sharp contrast to the Conservatives, placed a heavy emphasis on cities and whose first budget put billions into programs aimed at urban issues such as public transit.

Mike Magee, who has helped steer Mr. Robertson's political path for a decade and was instrumental in creating the Vision Vancouver party he leads, will devote his time after May 2 to ensuring the government of Justin Trudeau comes through on its promises for transit and housing funding. He will also work on provincial partnerships.

"We need to have a strong presence and influence. Mike is uniquely positioned to advance Vancouver's priorities with both the provincial and federal governments," Mr. Robertson said. "And Mike's a results guy."

But Mr. Magee's new role has prompted a councillor from the major opposition party on council to say it's a waste of money, paying someone to do the job the mayor should be doing himself, and a sign that the mayor's political team is falling apart.

"Isn't it the job of the mayor to represent and lobby? That's what he's elected to do," said George Affleck from the Non-Partisan Association (NPA).

Mr. Robertson's communications director, Braeden Caley, recently left the office to become a senior director of communications for the federal Liberal Party.

Mr. Robertson said it's critically important for Vancouver to ensure that money promised for its priorities – transit and housing – comes through from this budget.

As well, he said, there is work to be done to ensure that the "down payment" of the Liberal's first budget is followed up by even stronger commitments to cities next year.

"Until the rubber hits the road, we've only got words on paper," Mr. Robertson said. "Next year's federal budget is pivotal. Vancouver sends half our tax dollars to Ottawa, we want to make sure we get our investment returned."

The mayor emphasized Mr. Magee's connections with the federal Liberals and the work he did ensuring that city issues were at the top of their list.

"He was a key architect in the rise of the city agenda in the last election," Mr. Robertson said.

The creation of a new lobbyist-type role such as Mr. Magee's, which the announcement said will last only four months, is unusual for a city.

Former NPA mayor Sam Sullivan hired Ken Dobell, who had been a city manager, as a lobbyist for the city in Ottawa in 2007 as he was trying to get money for the city for homelessness and cultural facilities.

That raised eyebrows. Many other mayors, from Toronto to Calgary to Surrey, said at the time they did their own lobbying.

Vision Vancouver Councillor Heather Deal, then in opposition, called the move "a black eye on the city" and said it reflected Mr. Sullivan's apparent unwillingness to ask for anything himself.

Mr. Robertson said Mr. Magee will also work on "international investment and economic opportunities related to the city's greenest action plan," as well as the city's Kinder Morgan file.

Mr. Magee was paid $135,000 in 2015, and $106,000 in 2014. Mr. Robertson said Mr. Magee's salary and travel expenses will be paid from the mayor's discretionary budget and that the new role will not cost the city any extra money.

Kevin Quinlan, who has been the deputy chief of staff, will take over as chief of staff. He is 32. His role as deputy will not be filled.