Stuart Mackinnon gets tongue tied

Mackinnon was baffled and baffling in front of Council last night.

Last night City Hall attracted quite a crowd – approximately 90 individuals by my sources’ count – with the majority obviously there to speak in front of Council about their opposition to the cuts being made as part of the budget process.

Mayor Robertson let children and seniors speak first, and some of these early presentations, including an adorable group of brothers and sisters between the ages of 5-11 talking about how they love reading and how they wanted libraries to stay intact, were very touching and I am sure difficult for Council to hear in light of the decisions they still have to make.

(EDITOR’S NOTE:  All assertions use paraphrasing based on several first hand accounts, meaning that there was no tape recorder to confirm exact wording.  Thus, this is only my interpretation of what has been communicated to me).

Park Board Commissioner Loretta Woodcock made a very quick presentation, talking about how the Bloedel Conservatory and the Stanley Park petting zoo have been “orphaned” and encouraging Council to consider modest tax increases to make up the shortfall.  Woodcock was articulate, direct and to the point, as well as being reasonable in her requests.

Stuart Mackinnon, on the other hand, didn’t make out as well.

Mackinnon said that he was presenting both as a trustee of the Vancouver Public Library board as well as a Park Board commissioner.

Mackinnon talked about how the cuts would be a blow to low-wage earners (which I don’t quite understand, as I would argue that community centre cuts would be far more impactful on low-wage earners than the loss of the conservatory or the petting zoo).

Now while Mackinnon said he “appluds” Council for trying to keep taxes low, as he himself is a Vancouver homeowner, he also said that he thinks taxes should be raised to maintain all programs and services.

First it was Councillor Kerry Jang who took Mackinnon on by asking what percentage tax hike he would suggest – 4, 6, 8?

Mackinnon continued to answer “That isn’t my decision to make.  That is your decision to make as a Council.”

Jang:  “What is your opinion, as an elected official?

Mackinnon replied that he had seen an economist on television stating that the City could absorb a 5 per cent tax increase.

Jang:  “Would you support that tax increase?”

Mackinnon said that indeed he would be comfortable with paying a 5 per cent tax increase.

Jang:  “What is your opinion regarding the animal farmyard?  Do you agree we should keep animals in captivity?

Mackinnon said that he had concerns with animals in captivity, and something about not liking reptiles in particular being kept in captivity (my sources didn’t understand it either).

Then it was Raymond Louie’s turn.

Louie:  “You keep saying you want to save all programs and services.  You say you want to raise taxes.  Let’s say you had an extra $100,00 a year, where would you put that money?”

Mackinnon supporters started to boo Louie a little bit, stating that the question wasn’t fair (how exactly I am unclear on).

Mackinnon again delivered his mantra: “That isn’t my decision to make.  That is your decision to make as a Council.”  But eventually, he answered that he would preserve the Street Trees Replacement Program.  He then proceeded to talk about how the removal of the trees from Vancouver’s streets without replacement was counter-intuitive to the Greenest City Action Team’s 10-year plan.

So, Mackinnon has a piece on his website on how people should come to City Hall and fight the cuts to the conservatory and petting zoo amongst other funding streams.

Yet, he doesn’t support animals in captivity, didn’t provide any solutions for the conservatory’s roof, and would target $100,000 towards the Tree Replacement program (which I commend him for choosing).

Let’s remember everyone…when it comes down to the petting zoo and the conservatory, the hyperbole rarely matches the reality, particularly in exchanges like was witnessed between Mackinnon and Council yesterday.