Gregor Robertson in the run for minister position

When Mark Carney announces the next federal cabinet ministers on Tuesday, political experts are expecting former Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson to land a portfolio.

UBC political science professor Stewart Prest thinks Robertson could be a good candidate for housing minister. “It’s something he’s speaking to,” said the UBC professor.

He says Robertson’s expertise at the local and provincial levels of government will be considered an asset in the new government.
While housing policy is primarily shaped at the local and provincial levels, the federal government plays a significant role through its substantial funding contributions.

“When the federal government is looking to get involved in the housing market, they are often doing so in an indirect way either providing funding to provinces so that the provinces can build additional housing, or they are trying to create envelopes of funding for municipalities,” explains Prest.

“Having a former mayor as the face of that project would have somebody at the table who has expertise.”

Robertson was elected in Vancouver Fraserview-South Burnaby.

Other MPs from Metro Vancouver also in the run

However, Robertson’s connection to one of the nation’s most expensive housing markets could make him an easy target for criticism.

“The reality is that housing prices in in Vancouver have spiked for a variety of reasons, many of which are driven by decisions out of the hands of the local government, but the local government has to be involved in solutions,” UBC professor Prest said.

The expert also mentioned several other MP’s from B.C. he is keeping an eye on for possible cabinet portfolios — including Sukh Dhaliwal. This could please Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke, who has advocated for her rapidly expanding city to be represented by a local Member of Parliament in the cabinet.

“Someone like Wade Grant, a newcomer, might be incorporated into cabinet, given that he has a distinct, unique perspective to provide on issues of local development, and working with with indigenous people,” the political expert said about the new elected MP from Vancouver.

Whoever Prime Minister Carney decides to add to his cabinet — whether MPs from Metro Vancouver will be in it or not, the expectations are high.

Multiple business leaders have emphasizes the need for business and international experience in the new cabinet, especially after Carney vowed to bring about big changes quickly.