Article content

This year’s Vancouver election is already unusual with the number of high-profile mayoral candidates running independently or with nascent parties with no history of electoral success. But there’s also several high-profile council candidates choosing to eschew both new and old parties to go their own way.

A confluence of factors — including B.C.’s new campaign finance reform and few incumbents seeking reelection — have created what some have called a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” for independent candidates to change the face of a city council that hasn’t seen an independent councillor elected in three decades.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Dan Fumano: Vancouver independents see 'once-in-a-lifetime opportunity' this year Back to video

Earlier this year, Sarah Blyth, well-known for her life-saving work with the Overdose Prevention Society in the Downtown Eastside, struck out on her own as an independent council candidate, despite her past as a Vision Vancouver park board commissioner. And when the Non-Partisan Association unveiled their council slate in late July, many observers were surprised at the omission of Robert McDowell, a past NPA council candidate and former diplomat. Just days before the NPA’s announcement, their own caucus chair, Coun. George Affleck, wrote on Twitter that he was “really looking forward” to the party announcing McDowell as a council candidate.