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Asked how he would work with city departments to help resolve the issues facing False Creek South, the report said, Stewart reflected on his experience as a member of Parliament.

“For him, the best way to cut through ‘bureaucratic mess’ is to get directly involved, a method he would continue to use as mayor,” the report said, before quoting Stewart directly: “I have been a hands-on MP and would be a hands-on mayor. I’m not afraid to pick up the phone or go down to see somebody as long as I’m abiding by the public service code and I’m not threatening.”

On Monday, Stewart said he doesn’t believe his approach in office has been at odds with his campaign statements. The reason he hasn’t met with the residents directly, Stewart said, is because he’s been advised not to insert himself while the city, as the land owner, and the leaseholders are negotiating.

“What I’ve learned here, from a legal perspective, is that the city as a legal entity really has to deal directly with the leaseholders, as legal entities,” Stewart said. “It would be unwise for me to get in the middle of those negotiations. … At this point, I would rather just see how the negotiations go.”

Residents like Yandle reject that explanation, saying no real negotiations are happening.

Stewart said he’s working hard pursuing other avenues to resolve the situation.

Photo by Submitted photo: False Creek South Neighbourhood Association, courtesy of Ray Spaxman / PNG

The planning and development of False Creek in the 1970s was made possible through a partnership of three levels of government. The federal government significantly decreased its spending for housing, starting in the 1990s. The current federal government has made public statements about getting “back in the game” on housing since unveiling a $40 billion housing plan in 2017, but Stewart openly criticized the feds, saying despite the fanfare, very little federal investment in housing has arrived. He’s hoping to change that.