Gregor Robertson (politician)

Gregor Robertson
Born	(1964-09-18) September 18, 1964 North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, politician
Years active	2005–present
Known for	39th Mayor of Vancouver (2008–2018), Minister of Housing and Infrastructure (since 2025)

Gregor Angus Bethune Robertson (born September 18, 1964) is a Canadian entrepreneur and political figure who has held the position of Minister of Housing and Infrastructure since 2025. He was Vancouver’s 39th mayor, serving from 2008 until 2018, marking the longest uninterrupted period in that office in the city's history. Throughout his time as mayor, Robertson spearheaded initiatives such as the Greenest City 2020 Action Plan and introduced Vancouver’s inaugural comprehensive Economic Action Strategy.

Robertson was elected mayor representing Vision Vancouver and had previously been a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Vancouver-Fairview with the New Democratic Party of British Columbia from 2005 until his resignation in 2008 to pursue the mayoralty. On January 10, 2018, he declared he would not run for a fourth term.

In the 2025 Canadian federal election, Robertson won a seat as a Member of Parliament for Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby as a candidate for the Liberal Party. Following this victory on April 28, 2025, Prime Minister Mark Carney appointed him to Cabinet as Minister responsible for Housing, Infrastructure, and Pacific Economic Development Canada.

Background

Born in North Vancouver in 1964 into a family of Scottish heritage, Robertson is the son of John Robertson, a lawyer affiliated with the notable Vancouver firm Russell & Dumoulin, and Corneil Therrien, an educator. After his parents separated, he divided his upbringing between Portola Valley, California with his mother and North Vancouver with his father. He completed his secondary education at Carson Graham Secondary School in 1982 before attending Colorado College and later the University of British Columbia (UBC), where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree combining English and Biology. Although initially pursuing medical studies, after being declined admission to UBC's School of Medicine, he trained as an emergency medical technician and subsequently shifted his focus toward nutrition and healthy eating.

His family background includes distinguished individuals such as his grandfather Emile Therrien, a trailblazing physician, and his grandmother’s cousin Norman Bethune, renowned for his medical service during the Spanish Civil War and the Second Sino-Japanese War.

Before entering politics, Robertson's varied experiences included working as a cowboy in British Columbia’s Cariboo region and spending eighteen months sailing across the Pacific Ocean with his then-wife Amy. The couple lived in New Zealand where he engaged in farming before returning to Canada to continue agricultural work near Fort Langley.

He co-established Happy Planet, a Vancouver-based enterprise specializing in organic fruit and vegetable drinks and soups. Recognized by The Globe and Mail as one of Canada’s "Top 40 under 40," Robertson also held a directorship at Tides Canada from 2002 to 2004 prior to embarking on his political career with the British Columbia NDP.

Elected to represent Vancouver-Fairview in the BC Legislative Assembly in 2005, Robertson secured the NDP nomination over trade union leader Judy Darcy and defeated Liberal candidate Virginia Greene in the general election. During his tenure as MLA, he acted as Opposition Critic for Advanced Education and Small Business and co-chaired the Caucus Climate Change Taskforce.

As of 2025, Robertson holds roles including special envoy for the Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP) and serves as global ambassador for the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy—the world’s largest alliance of cities committed to climate leadership.

Mayoral campaign and elections

In February 2008, Robertson declared his intention to run for Mayor of Vancouver and secured the Vision Vancouver nomination by June, surpassing competitors Raymond Louie and Allan De Genova. He officially stepped down from the Legislative Assembly on July 15, 2008. His primary challenger in the mayoral race was Peter Ladner representing the Non-Partisan Association.

Robertson achieved a decisive win in the 2008 election, with Vision Vancouver capturing seven out of ten City Council seats. He characterized the campaign as demanding yet highlighted the solidarity among his supporters.

In the 2011 election, he won by a substantial margin, defeating Suzanne Anton of NPA by 18,853 votes, while Vision Vancouver maintained its hold on seven council seats.

He secured a third consecutive term in office during the 2014 election, overcoming Kirk LaPointe of NPA.

By January 2018, Robertson announced that he would not pursue re-election in the upcoming fall municipal vote.

Economic growth

In 2011, Robertson introduced Vancouver's inaugural Economic Action Strategy aimed at stimulating employment opportunities in sectors such as green energy and digital media. During his tenure, Vancouver emerged as Canada's fastest expanding metropolitan economy, with unemployment rates falling to 4.5% by 2018—ranking among the lowest nationwide.

Efforts addressing homelessness

To assist Vancouver’s homeless population during harsh winter months, Robertson launched low-barrier HEAT shelters in December 2008; these facilities quickly reached full capacity. By 2011, it was reported that over 90% of homeless individuals were accommodated in either shelters or temporary housing arrangements.

In 2014, he created the Vancouver Affordable Housing Agency to develop housing for low- and moderate-income residents and endorsed a $1 billion initiative focused on the Downtown Eastside to safeguard vulnerable populations amid escalating living expenses.

By September 2017, the British Columbia government committed $66 million towards constructing 600 temporary modular housing units on underused city land, providing immediate shelter alongside support services.

Despite these initiatives, the homeless count in 2018 rose to 2,181 individuals from 1,576 in 2008—a growth Robertson attributed to inadequate backing from provincial and federal levels. Research indicated a notable migration of homeless people from other provinces into Vancouver, with more than half of those homeless in the Downtown Eastside originating outside the city.

The 2018 Homeless Count revealed only a slight increase of 2% compared to 2017, with 659 individuals living unsheltered and 1,522 residing in shelters. Notably, 52% had experienced homelessness for less than one year, illustrating the transient nature of homelessness in Vancouver. Outreach programs in 2017 successfully housed 850 people either at risk or currently homeless.

Greenest City Action Plan

On February 25, 2009, Robertson unveiled the Greenest City Action Team to advance his commitment to making Vancouver the world's greenest city by 2020. In April of that year, the team published a report emphasizing economic growth through green jobs, environmentally sustainable communities, and safeguarding public health.

The Greenest City Action Plan (GCAP), approved by Vancouver City Council in 2011, established ten targets including reducing carbon emissions, fostering a green economy, and enhancing air and water quality. Vancouver became the first municipality to regulate embodied carbon and set an ambitious goal to phase out fossil fuels entirely by transitioning to 100% renewable energy by 2050. In recognition of its climate initiatives, Vancouver was designated Global Earth Hour Capital by the World Wildlife Fund in 2013. By 2016, it ranked third worldwide on the Green Economy Index and was recognized as North America’s leading sustainable city according to the Arcadis Sustainable City Index.

GCAP also advanced waste management innovations by transforming organic waste into commercially sold compost and capturing methane from landfills to heat greenhouses. The city pioneered utilizing thermal energy sourced from sewage systems to warm residences in False Creek, achieving a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 65%. A significant focus within GCAP was reducing emissions from buildings; in 2016, Vancouver launched its Zero Emissions Building Plan aiming for all new buildings to achieve zero emissions by 2030 while decreasing emissions from existing structures through renewable energy integration and enhanced building envelopes.

Cycling

Under Robertson’s leadership, Vancouver made significant strides in developing its cycling infrastructure, elevating the city’s status as a global exemplar of livability. Previous administrations had achieved only modest advancements despite increasing demand for bike-friendly options. In July 2009, a trial of a protected bike lane on the Burrard Bridge was introduced to improve cyclist safety without disrupting vehicle traffic. A major initiative was the creation of the Seaside Greenway, which linked downtown Vancouver to Jericho Beach by converting vehicle lanes and limiting through traffic along Point Grey Road.

Throughout his term, the network of protected bike lanes grew, and the Central Valley Greenway corridor was launched, connecting Vancouver to New Westminster through Burnaby. By 2015, Vancouver surpassed its target with half of all trips made via sustainable transportation modes—walking, cycling, or public transit—achieving this milestone five years earlier than planned. This success was supported by bike lane expansions carried out between 2009 and 2014. From 2006 to 2016, cycling increased by 85%, transit use rose by 32%, and walking to work grew by 26%.

The introduction of the Mobi bike share program in 2016 further propelled cycling popularity, leading to record-breaking ridership in 2018 and securing Vancouver’s reputation as a leading cycling city in North America.

SkyTrain

Robertson actively supported Cambie Street business owners impacted by construction of the Canada Line, describing the project’s management as an "injustice." In 2009, a Cambie Street merchant was awarded $600,000 in damages related to construction disruptions, with Robertson providing testimony; however, this decision was overturned by the B.C. Court of Appeal in 2012. On the Canada Line’s inauguration day in August 2009, Robertson acknowledged the pressing need for enhanced rapid transit throughout Greater Vancouver and referred to the Canada Line as a "great start," admitting he had been somewhat late in endorsing the project.

As chair of the Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation in 2016, Robertson played a key role in securing funding for the Broadway subway extension on the Millennium Line. This extension will add six new stations from Glen Drive to Arbutus Street along Broadway and is intended to reduce congestion on the 99 B-Line, which is Canada’s busiest bus corridor.

Bylaw Changes

In preparation for the 2010 Winter Olympics, Vancouver City Council enacted temporary bylaws that included security checkpoints, installation of closed-circuit cameras, restrictions on disruptive behavior at city events, and limitations on commercial flyer distribution. These regulations drew criticism from civil liberties groups concerned about potential infringements on constitutional rights. During this period, City Manager Penny Ballem was granted expanded authority described by some council members as "wide open carte blanche." Robertson defended these measures as essential for ensuring public safety during the international event while maintaining respect for the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

In April 2014, Robertson introduced a bylaw mandating that homeowners secure permits before removing trees on private property. This regulation aimed to address growing concerns over rapid declines in Vancouver’s urban tree canopy.

Vancouver Charter Amendment

On January 12, 2009, Robertson sought a modification to the Vancouver Charter permitting the city to secure $458 million in borrowing to finalize the 2010 Olympic Village project in False Creek without requiring a taxpayer referendum, citing exceptional circumstances. This amendment was approved on January 18, 2009, during an emergency session held by the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.

Vancouver Stanley Cup riot

The 2011 Vancouver Stanley Cup riot broke out on June 15, 2011, after the Vancouver Canucks were defeated in game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Robertson attributed the disturbance to "a small group of troublemakers." An analysis of the 1994 Vancouver Stanley Cup riot identified several failures in planning by authorities, including permitting parked vehicles near viewing screens and leaving newspaper dispensers accessible as potential weapons. Vancouver Police Chief Jim Chu later confirmed that all recommendations from the final report had been implemented and challenged assertions regarding involvement by certain parties. Robertson conceded that he had not reviewed the 1994 report. Critics from opposition parties dubbed the incident "Robertson's Riot," a phrase subsequently adopted by some media outlets.

Indigenous rights

In 2014, Vancouver proclaimed itself as the first "City of Reconciliation," pledging to foster reconciliation with the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh indigenous groups. Mayor Robertson recognized that the city is situated on unceded First Nations territories and initiated regular dialogues with these councils to advance shared reconciliation initiatives.

Robertson and City Council opposed the Trans Mountain pipeline, collaborating legally with the three nations and petitioning federal officials in Ottawa.

In 2017, for the first time, council chambers permanently displayed the flags of the three host nations. Additionally, a burial site was returned to the Musqueam community, safeguarding it from commercial development as part of ongoing reconciliation efforts.

During the 2013 Walk of Reconciliation, more than 70,000 participants—including Robertson and other city officials—marched to support indigenous rights while hosting the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

Other investments

From 2009 through 2011, the city exceeded its goal for childcare spaces by creating 153 additional spots beyond its target of 300. In his 2011 mayoral campaign, Robertson pledged to establish 500 affordable childcare spaces during his second term. The city’s 2012 budget surplus of $5 million helped fund Vancouver’s largest-ever childcare investment. By 2014, a total of 599 spaces had been constructed or pledged with an investment of $62 million. By 2018, an additional 1,064 spaces were developed in line with the Capital Plan goals for 2015–2018 targeting 1,000 new childcare spots.

Robertson also championed drug decriminalization amid the opioid crisis. The city allocated resources toward overdose prevention initiatives such as supervised injection sites and needle exchange programs, contributing to a decline in overdose fatalities.

Global Covenant of Mayors

In 2019, Robertson was appointed global ambassador for the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy, a coalition comprising over 13,000 cities tackling climate change and energy issues. In 2022, Business Insider included him in its inaugural Climate Action 30 list recognizing leading global figures advancing climate solutions.

Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships

In 2024, with backing from Bloomberg Philanthropies, Robertson assumed the role of special envoy within the Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP), advancing cooperation between national and local climate action efforts.

2025 federal election

Robertson declared his intention to run as the Liberal Party candidate for the newly established Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby electoral district on March 23, 2025. He secured the seat on April 28 by capturing 52.3% of the vote, bolstering the Liberal Party’s most successful provincial showing in many years. Subsequently, on May 13, Prime Minister Mark Carney appointed him Minister of Housing and Infrastructure as well as Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada, making him among a select group of Canadian politicians to have served at municipal, provincial, and federal levels.

Family and personal life

Robertson was wed to Amy Oswald, whom he met while attending Colorado College; together they have three children. The couple announced their separation in July 2014. Reports indicate he was in a relationship with singer Wanting Qu from January 2015 until May 2017.

In 2020, Robertson married Eileen Park Robertson, a journalist and advocate for climate and racial justice. Their wedding ceremony took place at Stanley Park and celebrated their Scottish and Korean backgrounds through traditional tartans and symbolic elements. After Vogue published a feature on their interracial marriage, Park encountered racist and misogynistic responses, leading her to publicly address issues of racism in media and politics.

An avid tuba player, Robertson collaborated with former MLA Nicholas Simons on country-punk artist Slim Milkie’s 2010 album Silverado. He is also distantly connected to Norman Bethune through his grandmother, who was Bethune’s first cousin.

2011 election for mayor

Candidate Name		Party affiliation	Votes	% of votes	Elected
(I) Template:Sortname	style="background:Template:Canadian party colour;"|	Vision Vancouver	77,005	53.17%	X
Template:Sortname	style="background:Template:Canadian party colour;"|	Non-Partisan Association	58,152	40.15%
Template:Sortname	style="background:Template:Canadian party colour;"|	Neighbourhoods for a Sustainable Vancouver	4,007	2.77%
Template:Sortname	style="background:Template:Canadian party colour;"|	Vancouver Citizen's Voice	1,195	0.83%

2008 election for mayor

Candidate		Affiliated Party	Total Votes	Vote Percentage	Outcome
Template:Sortname	style="background:Template:Canadian party colour;"|	Vision Vancouver	67,598	54.39%	X
Template:Sortname	style="background:Template:Canadian party colour;"|	Non-Partisan Association	48,794	39.26%