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Vancouver councillor George Affleck says he’ll do things differently than Mayor Gregor Robertson if he becomes the next mayor.

“I’m certainly—on the fiscal side—more prudent than Gregor,” Affleck told the Straight in a phone interview. “I look at things…with a financial lens first.”

Affleck further contrasted himself with Robertson—who is not shy about commenting on provincial and federal matters—by saying: “I’ve been very careful not to make enemies of other levels of government no matter who they are, and I continue to do it that way…I think it’s important that the relationship with other levels of government is positive.”

First elected in 2011 and now in his second term, the Non-Partisan Association councillor believes he could do a good job as mayor. “My approach will be quite different than Gregor’s, and I think I could be effective as a mayor,” Affleck said.

Robertson and his Vision Vancouver party have been in power for almost 10 years, and a general election is coming up in October 2018.

“There’s certainly a lot of interest for me, and a lot of people have been encouraging me to seek the job,” Affleck said.

Although he knows how the city works, the 52-year-old father of three said that he’s also aware of “where the challenges are”.

“That significant knowledge of city hall, I think, for anybody is helpful as opposed to somebody who’s coming from the outside, who’s never been there. I think that will be very challenging. I’m sure Gregor found it that way when he was first elected. You know, it helps and it hinders your decision,” Affleck said.

Affleck said that the decision as to whether or not he will run for mayor is one that he and his family have yet to make.