Putting widespread rumours to rest, NDP MLA and Happy Planet juice company founder Gregor Robertson said he would seek the Vision Vancouver slate's nomination for Vancouver's top job Sunday.

If elected mayor, Robertson told a crowd of supporters at the Vancouver Museum he would set four priorities for the city, among them ending homelessness and targeting gridlock and pollution.

"Given what I've seen in the media over the past few days, what I announce today might not be a big surprise," Robertson said. "So let's end the suspense: I'm in!"

Robertson, who has represented the riding of Vancouver-Fairview since 2005, has already received the blessing of provincial NDP leader Carole James, who is letting him run without resigning his seat.

He's entering an especially crowded field, with incumbent Mayor Sam Sullivan facing a challenge from within his Non-Partisan Association party in the form of Councillor Peter Ladner.

And the Vision Vancouver slate is hotly contested as well: former Vancouver parks commissioner Allan De Genova split with the NPA and announced he would run for Vision Vancouver, while Raymond Louie has also expressed interest in that party's nomination.

Robertson distanced himself from the internecine political battles, saying that he wants to end what he called a "divide and conquer" mentality in the current NPA administration.

Many civic motions in this term have squeaked through council, with the majority NPA using its six votes while rival Vision Vancouver councillors and lone Coalition of Progressive Electors councillor David Cadman vote five against.

"It is time that we brought people together instead of continuing to engage in the petty partisan politics of the past three years," Robertson said.

Calling his four priorities "ambitious but achievable," Robertson said he would:

  • End homelessness and foster an "affordable housing boom."
  • Improve the quality of life for every citizen by targeting gridlock, pollution, and public safety
  • Make Vancouver the greenest city in the world
  • Make Vancouver a "Creative Capitol" by encouraging entrepreneurship, arts, culture and sport.

Robertson, 43, is a married father of four who co-founded Happy Planet in 1994. Since then, the company has grown to 50 employees and its products are widely available.

He has fought in the legislature for the Cambie Street businesses and last year proposed two private member's bills that would regulate toxins in food products.