Vancouver City Councillor Raymond Louie declared his intention to run for mayor with the Vision Vancouver party on Wednesday night.
Born and raised in East Vancouver, Louie joins Peter Ladner, Gregor Robertson, Allan De Genova and incumbent Mayor Sam Sullivan in the race for the city's top job.
CTV's Canada AM asked Louie if Gregor Robertson's bid to eradicate homelessness in Vancouver is a realistic goal.
"Well, it will be a challenge, but I think that's a better effort than what we're receiving right now from the mayor," he said. "I think we can move progressively to some solutions."
Louie said his experience counts more than his ethnicity.
"Certainly, my experience within the community and across many different sectors gives me an advantage over some of the other candidates," Louie said. "But I think it really comes down to my experience in my over six years on council that I think speaks for itself."
Vancouver-Fairview NDP MLA Gregor Robertson and Parks Board Commissioner Allan De Genova are also seeking the support of the Vision Vancouver party, making the nomination process ahead of the actual mayoral election a race in itself.
Former NPA Councillor De Genova posted a page on popular social networking site Facebook this week announcing his intention to run for mayor under Vision Vancouver and called for support. He has not made any formal announcement.
Ladner is seeking the support of the Non-Partisan Association party and will go up against Sullivan to fight for it.
The NPA maintains a policy of supporting the incumbent, but Sullivan has said he will compete in an open nomination process in order to win his party's support.
Ladner has worked in civic politics for six years.
