Independent Vancouver City Council candidate Jean Swanson is planning a “mansion tax” rally outside Lululemon founder Chip Wilson’s home on Saturday.

Swanson, who is running in the council’s upcoming byelection, wants to tax the rich to pay for “safe, beautiful” affordable housing.

Wilson’s West Point Grey mansion was valued at $75.8 million this year by BC Assessment, making it the most expensive in British Columbia.

On the Facebook event page for the rally, Swanson says Vancouver needs to tax the rich so the City can meet the housing needs of all of us.

“It will cost money to build truly affordable housing and buy back the necessary land from the market,” writes Swanson.

“To make this happen we need to join together, rally to make our voices heard, and take power back from the 1%.”

The rally will meet at 11 am at Volunteer Park, at the intersection of MacDonald Street and Point Grey Road, then march to Wilson’s mansion.

Swanson, who was awarded the Order of Canada last year, has been an anti-poverty and social justice activist for more than 40 years in Vancouver.

She is a longtime advocate for improving living conditions on the Downtown Eastside, raising welfare rates in BC, and giving DTES residents a voice in local planning.

The byelection, which was triggered by the departure of Vancouver City Councillor Geoff Meggs, will be held on Saturday, October 14.

A total of nine candidates are running:

Diego Cardona (Vision Vancouver)

Hector Bremner (Non-Partisan Association)

Pete Fry (Green Party)

Judy Graves (OneCity)

Mary Jean “Watermelon” Dunsdon (Sensible Vancouver)

Gary Lee (Independent)

Damian J. Murphy (Independent)

Jean Swanson (Independent)

Joshua Wasilenkoff (Independent)

When: Saturday, September 23, 2017

Time: 11 am to 1 pm

Where: Meet at Volunteer Park, at the intersection of MacDonald Street and Point Grey Road, Vancouver

Info: On Facebook.

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