Vancouver is a city of equality and has no place for the “hateful” views of Donald Trump.
That’s the message of Mayor Gregor Robertson as he adds to the chorus of voices opposed to having the Trump name on one of the city’s newest downtown skyscrapers.
The 63-storey Trump International Hotel and tower is a project by the Holborn Group, under a multi-million dollar licensing agreement for Trump's name.
A city councillor and a former city planner have already urged Holborn to “Dump the Trump,” along with more than 50,000 people on a petition.
Now Mayor Robertson has penned a letter to the developer on behalf of the citizens of the city, asking the developer to “quickly” remove the branding from the project.
Robertson has also asked the city manager to explore whether the city can force the developer to remove the name.
He says “Trump’s name and brand have no more place on Vancouver’s skyline than his ignorant ideas have in the modern world.”
“Vancouver is known throughout the world for our steadfast commitment to diversity, equality, and freedom from discrimination and hatred. In contrast, Doanld Trump’s hateful positions and commentary remind us all of much darker times in our world’s past.”
Trump repeated his anti-Muslim views in Tuesday night’s Republican debate.
The developer has not responded to this latest call for the removal of Trump’s name, but last week it said it had no plans whatsoever to cut ties with the presidential hopeful.
CEO Joo Kim Tiah said in a statement that the company has no political affiliation whatsoever south of the border.
“Our efforts remain focused on the construction of what will soon be the finest luxury property in Vancouver and beyond,” he said.
Trump Tower, which will be the second-highest building in Vancouver next to the Shangri-La Hotel, is scheduled for completion in fall 2016.
