Gregor Robertson, Canada’s newly appointed housing minister, brings a decade of municipal experience and controversy to his federal role as the nation grapples with an escalating housing crisis.
Prime Minister Mark Carney named Robertson to his cabinet Tuesday following the April federal election. The former Vancouver mayor, who served from 2008-2018 and recently won the Vancouver Fraserview-South Burnaby riding, now oversees Housing and Infrastructure along with Pacific Economic Development Canada.
“I hope he sees the flaws of the system,” said Rick Ilich, chair of the BC-based Urban Development Institute and CEO of Townline Homes Inc., referencing Vancouver’s housing struggles during Robertson’s tenure.
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Robertson faces criticism from former colleagues who witnessed Vancouver’s real estate prices soar while he was mayor. George Affleck, who served two terms as city councillor under Robertson, expressed concern to 1130 NewsRadio about the appointment.
“In my experience on council, the party he led was off the mark on the future of housing in our city. If he takes those same skill sets to Ottawa, we’re going to have a real problem in this country,” Affleck said.
However, Kerry Jang, who served three terms alongside Robertson, defended the former mayor. “I think it’s a good choice, because, having been the mayor of Vancouver for 10 years, he understands municipal zoning. He understands all those puts and takes within cities that are required to build housing,” Jang told CityNews.
During his mayoral term, Robertson often rejected connecting foreign ownership to housing affordability concerns. When UBC researcher Andy Yan published findings showing 66% of recent property buyers in expensive neighborhoods had non-anglicized Chinese names, Robertson cautioned against divisive rhetoric.
“This can’t be about race, it can’t be about dividing people,” Robertson said at the time. “It needs to get to the core issue about addressing affordability and making sure it’s fair.”
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Critics like Randy Helten, who launched watchdog blog CityHallWatch during Robertson’s time in office, question his housing initiatives. The Short-Term Incentives for Rental program offered density bonuses to developers but sparked controversy over affordability outcomes.
“He started off good, but with the global financial crisis I think he panicked and I think he was influenced by his donors,” Helten told The Globe and Mail, noting Vision Vancouver’s successful fundraising from developers during campaigns.
Some development community members worry Robertson may prioritize environmental regulations over housing affordability. “All the new environmental costs, we’re getting into $55,000 to $60,000 per home on that policy alone,” Ilich said.
Despite never delivering on his promise to end street homelessness, Robertson persuaded the province to fund winter shelters. Chris Gardner of the Independent Contractors Association noted, “He said he would end homelessness and homelessness got worse, the streets got worse.”
Others see potential in Robertson’s business background as co-founder of Happy Planet juice company before entering politics in 2005. Stepan Vdovine, former president of the mayor’s political party, believes Robertson’s pragmatic approach aligns with Carney’s style.
“He’s not made for bureaucratic process. He wants action,” Vdovine said.
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