Gregor Robertson (politician)

Robertson was born in North Vancouver in 1964 to a family of Scottish descent.[https://bc.ctvnews.ca/robertson-to-lead-vancouver-into-2010-games-1.343135 Robertson to lead Vancouver into 2010 Games], CTV News, November 15, 2008. His father was a lawyer with Russell & Dumoulin, a prominent Vancouver law firm, and his mother was a teacher.{{cite web|url=https://vancouversun.com/news/Vancouver+mayoral+candidate+Gregor+Robertson+toughest+race/10364130/story.html|title=Profile: Gregor Robertson's toughest race so far|work=www.vancouversun.com|access-date=October 4, 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142057/http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Vancouver+mayoral+candidate+Gregor+Robertson+toughest+race/10364130/story.html|url-status=dead}} After his parents divorced, Robertson grew up partly in Portola Valley, near San Francisco with his mother, and later with his father in North Vancouver. In 1982, he graduated from Carson Graham Secondary School in North Vancouver and attended Colorado College and the University of British Columbia,[http://www.bcbusinessonline.ca/bcb/top-stories/2006/12/01/pursuit-happiness "Pursuit of Happiness"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100711114943/http://www.bcbusinessonline.ca/bcb/top-stories/2006/12/01/pursuit-happiness |date=July 11, 2010 }}, BC Business, December 1, 2006. graduating from the former with a BA in English and Biology. After graduating, he intended to become a physician, but the University of British Columbia School of Medicine rejected his application.[http://www.shared-vision.com/sv-features/20070730/gregor-robertson-sustainabilitys-superman "Gregor Robertson, Sustainability's Superman"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019143139/http://www.shared-vision.com/sv-features/20070730/gregor-robertson-sustainabilitys-superman |date=October 19, 2007 }}, Today's Vancouver Woman, July 30, 2007. Robertson then completed Emergency Medical Technician (EMT/paramedic) training, but turned his career focus towards healthy food and nutrition.

His relations include grandfather Emile Therrien, a pioneering doctor, and Norman Bethune, his grandmother's cousin, a noted anti-fascist and Communist famous for battlefield medicine in the Spanish Civil War and the Second Sino-Japanese War.

He worked on a ranch as a cowboy in the Cariboo restored a wooden sailboat and sailed across the Pacific for 18 months, accompanied by his then wife, Amy, whom he had met in Colorado. They settled in New Zealand, where he began farming as a trade. After turning 25, he returned to Canada, where he purchased land in Glen Valley near Fort Langley, and made his living as a farmer there.

Robertson later went on to co-found Happy Planet, a Vancouver-based company that produces and markets organic fruit and vegetable beverages and soups. He was named one of Canada's "Top 40 under 40" by The Globe and Mail.[http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/mayorcouncil/mayorrobertson.htm "City Profile"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513115947/http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/mayorcouncil/mayorrobertson.htm |date=May 13, 2020 }}, City Award, He was also a Tides Canada (public foundation) director from 2002 until 2004, when he entered politics with the provincial New Democratic Party.

He was elected to the BC Legislative Assembly in the 2005 election as a member of the British Columbia New Democratic Party having defeated the trade union leader Judy Darcy in a high-profile battle for the party's nomination. He then beat British Columbia Liberal Party's Virginia Greene in the general election. During his time as the MLA for Vancouver-Fairview, Robertson served as the Opposition Critic for Advanced Education, Small Business Critic{{cite news |last1=Findlay |first1=Andrew |title=Gregor Robertson: Pursuit of Happiness |url=https://www.bcbusiness.ca/people/general/gregor-robertson-pursuit-of-happiness/ |access-date=30 August 2024 |work=BC Business |date=1 December 2006}} and as the co-chair of the Caucus Climate Change Taskforce.Palmer, Vaughn, "NDP faces prospect of losing its 'catch' to civic politics," Vancouver Sun, January 9, 2008

As of 2025, Robertson is a special envoy in the Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP), as well as the global ambassador of Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, the largest city alliance for climate leadership.{{cite news |title=Gregor Robertson appointed global ambassador for mayors' climate group |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/gregor-robertson-appointed-global-ambassador-for-mayors-climate-group-1.5125121 |date=6 May 2019 |work=CBC News}}

In February 2008, Robertson announced that he would run for Mayor of Vancouver. In June 2008, Robertson secured the Vision Vancouver party's nomination as its mayoral candidate,Loxam, Erin, "Gregor Robertson is Vision Vancouver's candidate for mayor", News 1130, June 15, 2008 defeating Raymond Louie and Allan De Genova.[http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=30e4c717-65a7-417e-ab59-cea2ac1276fe "It's Robertson vs. Ladner for mayor"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107010905/http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=30e4c717-65a7-417e-ab59-cea2ac1276fe |date=November 7, 2012 }}, Vancouver Sun, June 16, 2008. Robertson soon announced his resignation from the Legislative Assembly effective July 15, 2008.[http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/ndp-mla-resigning-seat-to-run-for-vancouver-mayor-1.745055 "NDP MLA resigning seat to run for Vancouver mayor"], CBC, June 19, 2008 His main rival was Peter Ladner of the Non-Partisan Association.

He was elected by a solid margin in the 2008 municipal election. Seven of the ten seats on Vancouver City Council also went to Robertson's Vision Vancouver party. "It was a hard-fought campaign," he told supporters gathered at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, "but there is far more that unites us than divides us."[https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/robertson-is-vancouvers-olympics-mayor/article1066159/ "Robertson is Vancouver's Olympics mayor"], The Globe and Mail, November 16, 2008.

Robertson secured a landslide victory in the 2011 municipal election.{{cite news |title=Mayor Gregor Robertson re-elected in landslide victory along with full Vision slate on council |url=https://www.vancouverobserver.com/politics/news/2011/11/20/vision-celebrates-landslide-victory-laments-cope-defeat.html |access-date=26 October 2023 |work=The Vancouver Observer |language=en}} He defeated Suzanne Anton of NPA by a margin of 18,853 votes,{{cite news |last1=Weichel |first1=Andrew |title=Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson re-elected |url=https://bc.ctvnews.ca/vancouver-mayor-gregor-robertson-re-elected-1.728412?cache=yes%2Fnew-wave-of-dronies-seek-to-make-selfies-obsolete-1.2412490 |access-date=26 October 2023 |work=CTV News |date=20 November 2011 |language=en}} while Vision Vancouver won seven of the ten seats on the Vancouver City Council.

Robertson was re-elected to a third term in 2014, defeating Kirk LaPointe of NPA.{{cite news |title=Gregor Robertson re-elected mayor of Vancouver |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/gregor-robertson-re-elected-mayor-of-vancouver-1.2836793 |access-date=26 October 2023 |work=CBC News}}

In January 2018, Robertson announced that he would not seek re-election in the fall election.{{cite news |title=Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson announces he won't seek re-election |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/3957299/vancouver-mayor-gregor-robertson-announces-he-wont-seek-re-election/ |access-date=26 October 2023 |work=Globalnews.ca}}

In 2011, Robertson created the city's first Economic Action Strategy which led to creation of jobs in sectors such as green energy and digital media.{{cite news |title=Gregor Robertson |url=https://iog.ca/profiles/gregor-robertson/ |access-date=26 October 2023 |work=Institute on Governance |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408203122/https://iog.ca/profiles/gregor-robertson/ |archive-date=April 8, 2016 |language=en}} During his mayoral tenure, Vancouver became the fastest-growing metropolitan economy in the country, according to the Conference Board of Canada.{{cite news |title=Vancouver to have fastest growing economy in Canada this year: report |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/2238010/vancouver-to-have-fastest-growing-economy-in-canada-this-year-report/ |access-date=26 October 2023 |work=Globalnews.ca}} Vancouver's unemployment was down in six of the last seven years of his term;{{cite news |last1=McElroy |first1=Justin |title=Gregor Robertson: riding away with no regrets |url=https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/longform/riding-away-gregor-robertson/ |access-date=26 October 2023 |work=CBC News |date=13 October 2018}} the unemployment rate of 4.5% in 2018 was one of the lowest in the country.{{cite news |title='People want to blame me': Outgoing Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson reflects on 10 years in office |url=https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/people-want-to-blame-me-outgoing-vancouver-mayor-gregor-robertson-reflects-on-10-years-in-office |access-date=26 October 2023 |work=Vancouver Sun}}

On December 9, 2008, he announced low-barrier HEAT shelters to assist Vancouver's homeless citizens during an extremely cold winter,{{cite web|url=https://bc.ctvnews.ca/robertson-promises-200-new-shelter-beds-1.351954 |title=Robertson promises 200 new shelter beds |publisher=Toronto.ctv.ca |date= December 17, 2008|access-date=2011-06-16}} which were filled to capacity.[http://www.news1130.com/news/local/more.jsp?content=20090106_184044_1880 "Vancouver emergency homeless shelters filled to capacity during winter storms"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224074638/http://www.news1130.com/news/local/more.jsp?content=20090106_184044_1880 |date=February 24, 2012 }}, News 1130, January 6, 2009. On September 15, 2009, Vancouver city staff issued a report warning Robertson and the City Council that they should no longer expect the HEAT shelters to be funded after the 2009–2010 fiscal year.[http://www.cknw.com/Channels/Reg/NewsLocal/Story.aspx?ID=1141249 "Now, THAT's an agenda!"], News 1130, September 18, 2009.[http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/20090922/documents/a7.pdf "City of Vancouver Administrative Report"], City of Vancouver archives, September 15, 2009.{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/controversial-homeless-shelter-reopens-1.892539 |title=Controversial homeless shelter reopens |publisher=Cbc.ca |date=2010-01-05 |access-date=2014-05-18}} In 2011, by the end of his first mayoral term, more than 90 percent of the homeless people in Vancouver were reportedly sleeping in shelters or other temporary spaces.{{cite news |title=Vancouver mayor's legacy on homelessness: A good try, but a promise not fulfilled |url=https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/robertsons-legacy-on-housing-and-homeless |access-date=18 September 2023 |work=Vancouver Sun}}

In 2014, he oversaw the creation of Vancouver Affordable Housing Agency, which was established to create housing units primarily for low to moderate-income households.{{cite news |title=City of Vancouver Establishes New Affordable Housing Agency |url=https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/city-vancouver-establishes-new-affordable-housing-agency |access-date=18 September 2023 |work=Daily Hive |language=en}} A neighbourhood plan aimed to shape development of the Downtown Eastside was also approved. The plan was aimed to protect low-income residents of the area who were struggling to afford rent amidst a rise in cost of living.{{cite news |title=Vancouver's $1-billion Downtown Eastside plan approved by council |url=https://vancouversun.com/news/metro/vancouvers-1-billion-downtown-eastside-plan-approved-by-council |access-date=18 September 2023 |work=Vancouver Sun}}

In September 2017, the Government of British Columbia announced a funding commitment of $66 million towards Robertson's plan to build 600 units of temporary modular housing in Vancouver.{{Cite web|url=https://vancouver.ca/people-programs/temporary-modular-housing.aspx|title=Temporary modular housing|last=Vancouver|first=City of|date=2018-10-26|website=vancouver.ca|language=en-US|access-date=2018-10-30}} In partnership with the BC Government, temporary modular homes were built within 18 months on empty or underutilized City-owned land, providing immediate relief to 600 people living without a home, as well as access to 24/7 supports, including life skills training and health services.

In 2018, an annual count recorded 2,181 homeless people in Vancouver, up from 1,576 at the beginning of his term in 2008.[https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/vancouver-homeless-count-2018-final-report.pdf "Vancouver Homeless Count 2018"] Robertson attributed this increase to a lack of support from provincial and federal governments.{{cite news |title=Gregor Robertson: A Look Back on An Impossible Claim |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/half-of-downtown-eastside-homeless-residents-are-from-out-of-town-study/article28069065/ |access-date=26 October 2023 |work=The Globe and Mail}} In addition, numbers released by B.C. Housing Ministry pointed to an influx of homeless people coming to British Columbia from other provinces.{{cite news |title=Smyth: Nearly one in seven new welfare recipients in B.C. last year were from out-of-province |url=https://theprovince.com/news/local-news/smyth-nearly-one-in-seven-new-welfare-recipients-in-b-c-last-year-were-from-out-of-province |access-date=26 October 2023 |work=The Province}} A 2016 study by Simon Fraser University found that 52% of the homeless people surveyed in Downtown Eastside had migrated there from outside Vancouver, up from 17% a decade ago.{{cite news |title=Half of Downtown Eastside's homeless residents came from other areas: study |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/half-of-downtown-eastside-homeless-residents-are-from-out-of-town-study/article28069065/ |access-date=26 October 2023 |work=The Globe and Mail}}

The 12th annual Homeless Count in Vancouver held in 2018 saw a 2% increase in homeless residents since the 2017 count, compared with a 16% increase between 2016 and 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://vancouver.ca/news-calendar/city-releases-2018-homeless-count-results-and-presents-actions-for-responding-to-homelessness.aspx|title=City releases 2018 Homeless Count results and presents actions for responding to homelessness|last=Vancouver|first=City of|date=2018-05-04|website=vancouver.ca|language=en-US|access-date=2018-10-30}} Of those counted in 2018, 659 were living on the street and 1,522 were living in shelters, compared to 537 street homeless and 1,601 sheltered in 2017. Fifty-two per cent of those counted reported being homeless for less than a year, showing the fluidity of homelessness year over year in Vancouver, and in 2017, the Homelessness Service's Outreach Team secured 850 homes for residents who were homeless or at risk of homelessness.

{{main|Greenest City 2020 Action Plan}}

On February 25, 2009, Robertson announced the members of the Greenest City Action Team in support of his campaign promise to make Vancouver the greenest city in the world by 2020.[http://www.canada.com/story.html?id=3446ee6c-2946-43b6-8421-39715c359ad9 "Start now to make Vancouver the world's greenest city, report urges"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150902031409/http://www.canada.com/story.html?id=3446ee6c-2946-43b6-8421-39715c359ad9 |date=September 2, 2015 }}, Vancouver Sun, April 27, 2009.{{cite web|url=http://vancouver.ca/greenestcity/index.htm |title=Greenest City 2020 |publisher=Vancouver.ca |access-date=2011-06-16}} In April 2009, Robertson and the Greenest City Action Team released a report outlining quick-start recommendations to move aggressively on its green plan.{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vancouver-to-move-aggressively-on-its-green-plan-mayor-1.810587 |title=Vancouver to move aggressively on its green plan: mayor|publisher=Cbc.ca |date=2009-04-27 |access-date=2014-05-18}} The report focused on three key areas: jobs and the economy, greener communities, and protecting human health.

The Greenest City Action Plan (GCAP) was approved by the Vancouver City Council in 2011. The plan included 10 goals, including reduction of carbon emissions, development of the green economy, improvement in air and water quality, among others. Vancouver became the first city to regulate embodied carbon, and set a goal to eliminate fossil fuels and switch to 100% renewable energy by 2050.{{cite news |title=100% by 2050 – Vancouver's roadmap to urban sustainability |url=https://www.irena.org/news/articles/2019/May/2050--Vancouver-roadmap-to-urban-sustainability |access-date=18 September 2023 |work=www.irena.org |language=en}} In 2013, Vancouver was named as the Global Earth Hour Capital by the World Wildlife Fund in recognition of the city's "actions on climate change and dedication to create a sustainable, vibrant urban environment."{{cite news |title=Vancouver crowned Earth Hour capital by World Wildlife Fund |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/369397/vancouver-crowned-earth-hour-capital-by-world-wildlife-fund/ |access-date=26 October 2023 |work=Globalnews.ca}} In 2016, Vancouver was recognized as the third greenest city in the world according to the Global Green Economy Index, behind only Copenhagen and Stockholm,[http://dualcitizeninc.com/GGEI-2016.pdf "2016 Global Green Economy Index"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003083020/http://dualcitizeninc.com/GGEI-2016.pdf |date=October 3, 2016 }} (PDF). Dual Citizen LLC. Retrieved 14 November 2017. and was also the top-ranked North American city in the Arcadis Sustainable City Index.{{cite news |last1=Sheppard |first1=Jenni |title=Vancouver ranked most sustainable city in North America |url=https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-most-sustainable-city-north-america-2016 |work=Daily Hive |date=October 14, 2018 |language=en}}

As part of GCAP, Vancouver also focused on waste management by turning organic waste into compost material which was then sold to gardeners. The city captured methane at landfills to heat greenhouses.{{cite news |last1=Adler |first1=Ben |title=How did Vancouver get so green? |url=https://grist.org/cities/how-did-vancouver-get-so-green/ |access-date=18 September 2023 |work=Grist |date=31 March 2014 |language=en-us}} Vancouver also became the first city in North America to heat homes using thermal energy extracted from sewage and wastewater, which reportedly reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 65% in the False Creek neighbourhood.{{cite news |title=In Vancouver, Wastewater and Sewage Provide Energy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/18/business/energy-environment/18iht-renvan.html |access-date=18 September 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=17 May 2010 |language=en}} Another focus area of the GCAP was reducing emissions from buildings, a major source of greenhouse gases in Vancouver.{{cite news |title=Vancouver Aimed for World's 'Greenest City.' How Did That Go? |url=https://thetyee.ca/News/2021/10/04/Vancouver-Greenest-City-Aim/ |access-date=26 January 2024 |work=The Tyee}} In 2016, the city introduced the Zero Emissions Building Plan with the aim to make all new constructions zero emissions buildings by 2030, while reducing emissions from existing buildings through the transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources and the implementation of improved building envelopes.{{cite news |title=Vancouver - The Zero Emissions Building Plan |url=https://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?342675/Vancouver |access-date=26 January 2024 |work=World Wide Fund For Nature |language=en}}{{cite news |title=19 Global Cities Commit to Make New Buildings "Net-Zero Carbon" by 2030 |url=https://www.c40.org/news/global-cities-commit-to-make-new-buildings-net-zero-carbon-by-2030/ |access-date=26 January 2024 |work=C40 Cities}}

Robertson and his team led the charge on cycling infrastructure, transforming Vancouver into one of the world's most livable cities.{{Cite web |last=Jung |first=Angela |date=2019-09-04 |title=Vancouver is the sixth most liveable city in the world, new report says |url=https://bc.ctvnews.ca/vancouver-is-the-sixth-most-liveable-city-in-the-world-new-report-says-1.4578255 |access-date=2022-05-30 |website=British Columbia |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Ten years of bike lanes in Vancouver: Life goes on, chaos averted |url=https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/ten-years-of-bike-lanes-in-vancouver-life-goes-on-chaos-averted |access-date=2022-05-30 |website=vancouversun |language=en-CA}}

Cycling had been growing in popularity in Vancouver, and the desire of its citizens to cycle for at least some of their trips had been growing for decades; however little was done by previous administrations. In July 2009, the Burrard Bridge bicycle lane trial was initiated to determine whether creating a new protected bike lane was a viable solution to increase the safety and comfort of people cycling and walking while still maintaining an effective flow of traffic. During his mayorship, the city's flagship project was the Seaside Greenway, running from downtown Vancouver to Jericho Beach.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bike-route-construction-closes-point-grey-road-to-traffic-1.2500799|title=Bike route construction closes Point Grey Road to traffic|date=January 19, 2014|publisher=Cbc.ca|access-date=October 22, 2014}} This active transportation corridor was created by repurposing one lane of automobile traffic from the Burrard Bridge as well as blocking through vehicular traffic from the prestigious Point Grey Road.{{cite news |title=Vancouver’s Point Grey Road permanently closed to cars for new bike lane |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/1091747/vancouvers-point-grey-road-permanently-closed-to-cars-for-new-bike-lane/ |access-date=30 August 2024 |work=Global News}}

Over the course of his tenure as mayor, protected bike lanes were established and the Central Valley Greenway bike corridor was opened from Vancouver to New Westminster through Burnaby.{{cite news |last1=Los |first1=Fraser |title=Clean commute |url=https://canadiangeographic.ca/articles/clean-commute/ |access-date=March 11, 2025 |work=Canadian Geographic |date=May 31, 2012}} In 2015, the city achieved its goal of having 50% of all trips made by sustainable modes—walking, cycling, or transit—five years ahead of the original 2020 target, aided by a network of bike lanes created between 2009 and 2014.{{cite news |last1=Roberts |first1=David |title=In Vancouver, 50% of trips are by foot, bike, or transit. This video shows how they did it. |url=https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2016/12/9/13897078/walkable-vancouver-video |access-date=March 11, 2025 |work=Vox |date=December 9, 2016}} Between 2006 and 2016, the city reported an 85% increase in bicycle ridership, a 32% rise in transit commuters, and a 26% growth in the number of people walking to work.{{cite news |last1=Bramham |first1=Daphne |title=Gregor Robertson on his big promise, worst moment and where he'd like a do-over |url=https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/gregor-robertson-on-his-big-promise-worst-moment-and-where-hed-like-a-do-over |work=Vancouver Sun |date=October 28, 2018 |language=en-CA}}

The improved cycling infrastructure, coupled with the launch of Mobi bike share service in 2016, led to record bicycle ridership in 2018,{{cite news |title=Key Vancouver bike routes break ridership highs |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vancouver-bike-lanes-july-1.4790687 |access-date=March 11, 2025 |work=CBC News |date=August 18, 2018}} with Vancouver being dubbed as a "North American cycling leader".{{cite news |title=Vancouver aims to reassert itself as a North American cycling leader |url=https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-north-american-cycling-leader |access-date=March 11, 2025 |work=Daily Hive |date=December 20, 2017 |language=en}}

Robertson was a strong supporter of Cambie Street merchants and spoke regularly about hardships from the Canada Line construction.[http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vancouver-mayor-testifies-in-cambie-merchant-lawsuit-1.808267 "Vancouver mayor testifies in Cambie merchant lawsuit"], CBC News, March 23, 2009. He called the handling of the rail line construction an "injustice".[https://bc.ctvnews.ca/the-long-and-troubled-road-to-the-canada-line-1.426272 "The long and troubled road to the Canada Line"], CTV News, August 17, 2009. In 2009, a Cambie Street merchant was awarded $600,000 in a lawsuit for damages caused by Canada Line construction, with Robertson providing testimony;[https://www.straight.com/article-224070/cambie-merchants-court-victory-linked-defendants-failure-mitigate-effects-canada-line "Ex-Cambie merchant's court victory linked to defendants' failure to mitigate effects of Canada Line"], Georgia Straight, May 28, 2009. but this decision was overturned by the B.C. Court of Appeal in 2012.[http://www.courts.gov.bc.ca/jdb-txt/CA/11/00/2011BCCA0077cor1.htm "Susan Heyes Inc. (Hazel & Co.) v. South Coast B.C. Transportation Authority"], B.C. Court of Appeal, 2011 BCCA 77. On the Canada Line opening day of August 17, 2009, Robertson said Greater Vancouver needed more rapid transit but the Canada Line was a "great start" and that he was a "Johnny-come-lately" to the project.{{cite news |last=Inwood |first=Damian |date=August 18, 2009 |title=Politicians toot first train's horn |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-province-politicians-toot-first-trai/139561586/ |work=The Province |location=Vancouver, British Columbia |page=A9 |access-date=January 25, 2024 |via=newspapers.com}}

In 2016, Robertson helped secure funding for the Broadway subway extension of the Millennium Line, when he was also chair of the Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation. The project would add six stations from Glen Drive to Arbutus Street along Broadway, aiming to reduce congestion on the 99 B-Line, the busiest bus route across Canada and the United States.{{cite news |last1=Lupick |first1=Travis |title=TransLink secures funding for Broadway subway, plans to open the new Vancouver line in 2025 |url=https://www.straight.com/news/1128921/vancouver-secures-funding-broadway-subway-plans-open-new-translink-line-2025 |work=The Georgia Straight |date=4 September 2018 |language=en}}

In preparation for the 2010 Winter Olympics in July 2009, the Vancouver Council approved several temporary bylaw changes—including security checkpoints, closed-circuit cameras, prohibition of "disturbance or nuisance interfering with the enjoyment of entertainment on city land by other persons", and prohibition of commercial flyers at celebration sites—which were controversial for some civil liberties advocates who argued that they "make it more difficult to exercise [the] fundamental constitutional rights to free speech, peaceful assembly and free expression."[http://www2.canada.com/vancouversun/news/editorial/story.html?id=b25dbcd4-a23d-49e2-a589-12801f202797 "Rights go out the window to create a seamless 2010 circus"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519040952/http://www2.canada.com/vancouversun/news/editorial/story.html?id=b25dbcd4-a23d-49e2-a589-12801f202797 |date=May 19, 2014 }}, Vancouver Sun, July 21, 2009. As part of the changes city manager Penny Ballem, an unelected official, was given special powers that were referred to by Coalition of Progressive Electors councilor Ellen Woodsworth as "wide open carte blanche."[https://thetyee.ca/Blogs/TheHook/Olympics2010/2009/07/23/city-manager-olympics-bylaw/ "City manager to lead Vancouver during Olympics"], The Tyee, July 23, 2009. Robertson defended council's position, explaining the temporary bylaw changes were necessary given what Vancouver was required to implement as the host city. According to Robertson, "It is our ultimate obligation to ensure the safety and security of people who are in our city and this, I think, addresses a lot of the concerns proactively on that level while respecting the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This is a temporary set of changes we're putting it in place for a special event."[http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vancouver-passes-temporary-olympics-bylaws-1.786960 "Vancouver passes temporary Olympic Bylaws"], CBC, July 24, 2009.

Robertson also implemented a bylaw in April 2014 that prevented homeowners from cutting trees down on their own private property.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/tree-cutting-now-requires-special-vancouver-permit-1.2612960|title=Tree cutting now requires special Vancouver permit|date=April 17, 2014|publisher=Cbc.ca|access-date=October 22, 2014}} The bylaw was proposed due to the rapid reduction in tree cover in the City of Vancouver.{{cite news |title=Vancouver axes tree-cutting bylaw for property owners |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/article/vancouver-axes-tree-cutting-bylaw-for-property-owners/ |work=CTVNews |date=April 16, 2014 |language=en}}

On January 12, 2009, Robertson requested an amendment to the Vancouver Charter to allow the city to borrow $458 million to fund the completion of the 2010 Olympic Village in False Creek without seeking approval from taxpayers in an election-day plebiscite.[http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vancouver-seeks-charter-change-to-borrow-458m-for-olympic-village-1.778897 "Vancouver seeks charter change to borrow $458M for Olympic Village"], CBC, January 12, 2009. Robertson said this was due to extraordinary circumstances. The amendment was passed on January 18, 2009, in an emergency session of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.[http://www.canada.com/story_print.html?id=7efa47f1-d06f-49e4-a375-672191fd5ab7 "Legislation lets Vancouver borrow for Olympic village"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107021457/http://www.canada.com/story_print.html?id=7efa47f1-d06f-49e4-a375-672191fd5ab7 |date=November 7, 2012 }}, The Daily News, January 19, 2009.[http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=204e7f01-e4da-4c07-98fc-ea89ba528cf1&p=1 "City gets its emergency borrowing bid"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107021514/http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=204e7f01-e4da-4c07-98fc-ea89ba528cf1&p=1 |date=November 7, 2012 }}, Vancouver Province, January 18, 2009.

On June 15, 2011, the 2011 Vancouver Stanley Cup riot occurred after a Vancouver Canucks loss in game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Robertson attributed the situation to "a small group of troublemakers".{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.1036582|title=Vancouver police arrest nearly 100 in riot|date=2011-06-16|work=CBC.ca|publisher=CBC News|access-date=June 16, 2011}} Bob Whitelaw, author of a report into the 1994 Vancouver Stanley Cup riot, indicated that authorities had made several mistakes in the planning for the crowd—among them allowing parked cars near the screens and leaving newspaper boxes nearby which could be used as projectiles.{{cite web |url= https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/vancouver-riot-police-made-mistakes-says-author-report-on-1994-mayhem |title=Vancouver Riot: Police made mistakes, says author report on 1994 mayhem|first= Sarah|last= Boesvald|work=nationalpost.com |date= 2011-06-18|access-date=August 14, 2021}} It was later claimed by Vancouver Police Chief Jim Chu that Bob Whitelaw was not a contributor to the final report, and that all recommendations of the final report had been followed.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vancouver-police-chief-fires-back-at-critic-1.1089626 |title= Vancouver police chief fires back at critic | work=CBC News | date=June 21, 2011}} Robertson admitted to not having read the 1994 report.{{cite news|url=http://www.cknw.com/Channels/Reg/NewsLocal/Story.aspx?ID=1445679|title=Mayor Robertson did not read the 1994 Stanley Cup riot report|publisher=CKNW News|date=June 20, 2011|access-date=June 21, 2011}} Suzanne Anton dubbed the riot as "Robertson's Riot", a moniker which was picked up by some media outlets.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vancouver-mayor-ducking-riot-responsibility-rival-1.1112644|title=Vancouver mayor ducking riot responsibility: rival|publisher=CBC News|access-date=June 21, 2011|date=June 20, 2011}}{{cite web|url=https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/courier-archive/opinion/robertsons-riot-suzannes-scabs-sure-to-be-election-slogans-2927854|title=Robertson's Riot, Suzanne's Scabs sure to be election slogans|author=Tom Sandborn|work=Vancouver Courier|date=August 18, 2011 |access-date=August 14, 2021}}{{cite web|url=http://www.citycaucus.com/2011/09/robertsons-riot-report-ignores-issue-of-political-accountability|title=Robertson's Riot report ignores critical issue of political accountability|website=Citycaucus.com|date=February 24, 2012 |access-date=October 22, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.citycaucus.com/2011/06/its-robertsons-riot|title=It's Robertson's Riot|website=Citycaucus.com|access-date=October 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926114918/http://citycaucus.com/2011/06/its-robertsons-riot/|archive-date=September 26, 2015|url-status=dead}}

In 2014, Vancouver declared itself to be the first "City of Reconciliation", summarizing the principles to reconcile with Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh indigenous communities. Robertson acknowledged that the city was on the unceded homelands of the First Nations. Robertson and Vancouver City Council established regular meetings with Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh councils to implement reconciliation actions jointly.{{cite news |title=City of Vancouver formally declares city is on unceded Aboriginal territory |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/1416321/city-of-vancouver-formally-declares-city-is-on-unceded-aborginal-territory/ |access-date=18 September 2023 |work=Global News}}

Robertson and the city council strongly opposed the Trans Mountain pipeline and took legal action with the three nations in fighting against its development, traveling to Ottawa with the BC First Nations Chiefs to petition Federal leaders.{{cite news |title=Vancouver mayor, First Nations fight Trans Mountain pipeline in Ottawa |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/vancouver-mayor-first-nations-urge-ottawa-to-reject-trans-mountain-pipeline/article30329417/ |access-date=26 October 2023 |work=The Globe and Mail |date=7 June 2016 |language=en-CA}}

In 2017, the city council permanently raised the flags of the three host nations in the council chambers for the first time in the city's history. They also donated a burial site back to the Musqueam community and protected the site from commercial development as part of their ongoing commitments as a "City of Reconciliation".{{cite news |last1=Gilpin |first1=Emilee |last2=Ruffolo |first2=Michael |title=WATCH: Gregor Robertson muses over 'City of Reconciliation' |url=https://www.nationalobserver.com/2018/11/08/news/watch-gregor-robertson-muses-over-city-reconciliation |access-date=18 September 2023 |work=Canada's National Observer |date=8 November 2018 |language=en}}

During the 2013 Walk of Reconciliation, over 70,000 people marched with Robertson, City Council, and thousands of city leaders/organizations in heavy rain in support of indigenous rights, while the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada was hosted by the city.{{cite news |title=Tens of thousands join Vancouver Walk for Reconciliation across Georgia Viaduct |url=https://www.straight.com/news/971311/tens-thousands-join-vancouver-walk-reconciliation-across-georgia-viaduct |access-date=26 October 2023 |work=The Georgia Straight |date=24 September 2017 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Ruffolo |first1=Michael |last2=Gilpin |first2=Emilee |title=WATCH: Gregor Robertson muses over 'City of Reconciliation' |url=https://www.nationalobserver.com/2018/11/08/news/watch-gregor-robertson-muses-over-city-reconciliation |access-date=26 October 2023 |work=Canada's National Observer |date=8 November 2018 |language=en}}

Between 2009 and 2011, the city exceeded its target of 300 childcare spaces by 153. And during his 2011 mayoral campaign, Robertson set a larger goal of setting up 500 affordable childcare spaces over the course of his second term. The budget surplus of $5 million in 2012 was partially invested into development of childcare spaces, the largest increase in childcare investment in Vancouver's history.{{cite news |title=City of Vancouver makes record investment in child care |url=https://www.vancouverobserver.com/blogs/cityhall/city-vancouver-makes-record-investment-child-care.html |access-date=18 September 2023 |work=The Vancouver Observer |language=en}} In 2014, the city announced that 599 spaces had been built or committed to since 2012, with a total investment of $62 million going into the plan.{{cite news |title=City of Vancouver says they've met target of 500 new childcare spaces |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/1347616/city-of-vancouver-says-theyve-met-target-of-500-new-childcare-spaces/ |access-date=18 September 2023 |work=Global News}} By 2018, 1,064 additional childcare spaces had been committed in line with the 2015–2018 Capital Plan to create 1,000 new childcare spaces.{{cite news |title=1,000 new childcare spaces will open in Vancouver by 2021 |url=https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-childcare-spaces-new-expansion-2021 |access-date=18 September 2023 |work=Daily Hive |language=en}}

Robertson advocated for drug decriminalization during the opioid crisis.{{cite news |title=Vancouver mayor calls for drug decriminalization after record year for opioid overdoses |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/british-columbia/article-vancouver-mayor-calls-for-drug-decriminalization-after-record-year-for/ |access-date=18 September 2023 |work=The Globe and Mail |date=28 March 2018 |language=en-CA}} The city invested in overdose prevention sites, facilitating supervised injection and clean exchange of needles, which resulted in a decrease in overdose deaths.{{cite news |last1=Rogers |first1=Kaleigh |title=Safe Injection Sites Weren't Enough to Spare Vancouver from the Opioid Epidemic |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/8qwq73/safe-injection-sites-werent-enough-to-spare-vancouver-from-the-opioid-epidemic |access-date=18 September 2023 |work=Vice |date=9 May 2017 |language=en}}

In 2019, Robertson was appointed as the global ambassador of Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy, the largest city alliance for climate leadership with over 13,000 cities worldwide tackling the climate crisis and energy challenges.

In 2022, Robertson was named on Business Insider's inaugural Climate Action 30, a list of "30 top global leaders working toward climate solutions".{{cite news |title=Climate Action 30: Top global leaders working toward climate solutions |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/climate-action-30-top-global-leaders-working-toward-climate-solutions-2022 |access-date=26 January 2024 |work=Business Insider}}

In 2024, the Global Covenant of Mayors, with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies, appointed Robertson as a special envoy in the Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP).{{cite news |last1=Wray |first1=Sarah |title=The missing link in national climate plans – cities |url=https://www.globalgovernmentforum.com/the-missing-link-in-national-climate-plans-cities-green-pledges-in-uk-election-manifestos-and-more/ |access-date=30 August 2024 |work=GlobalGovernmentForum.com|date=11 June 2024}}

On March 23, 2025, Robertson announced his candidacy as the Liberal Party candidate for Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby in the 2025 federal election.{{cite news |last1=Steacy |first1=Lisa |title=Former Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson announces run for federal election |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/article/former-vancouver-mayor-gregor-robertson-announces-run-for-federal-election/ |access-date=March 25, 2025 |work=CTV News |date=March 23, 2025}}

Robertson was married to Amy Oswald, whom he met at Colorado College,[http://www.vancouverobserver.com/blogs/thescene/2011/10/27/amy-robertson-doula-athlete-farmer-artist-and-you-asked-mayors-wife?page=0,1 Amy Robertson: athlete, artist, and, (since you asked), mayor's wife] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140710030618/http://www.vancouverobserver.com/blogs/thescene/2011/10/27/amy-robertson-doula-athlete-farmer-artist-and-you-asked-mayors-wife?page=0%2C1|date=July 10, 2014}} and they have three children.{{cite web |date=January 5, 2012 |title=Gregor Robertson's foster son surrenders to police |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/gregor-robertson-s-foster-son-surrenders-to-police-1.1292261 |access-date=October 22, 2014 |publisher=Cbc.ca}} On July 5, 2014, the Robertsons announced their separation in a joint statement.{{cite web |date=July 5, 2014 |title=Gregor Robertson, mayor of Vancouver, and wife to separate |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/gregor-robertson-mayor-of-vancouver-and-wife-to-separate-1.2697635 |access-date=October 22, 2014 |publisher=Cbc.ca}}

Robertson reportedly dated singer Wanting Qu from January 2015 to May 2017.{{Cite web |date=2015-01-19 |title=Chinese pop star Wanting Qu, dating Vancouver's married mayor, says she believes in 'commitment of marriage' |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/1681668/chinese-pop-star-wanting-qu-dating-vancouvers-married-mayor-says-she |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Mooney |first=Harrison |date=Jul 6, 2017 |title=Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, pop star Wanting Qu have broken up |url=https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/vancouver-mayor-gregor-robertson-pop-star-wanting-qu-have-broken-up |access-date=Feb 1, 2024 |work=Vancouver Sun}}

In 2020, Robertson married Eileen Park Robertson, a journalist, filmmaker, communications professional and climate and racial justice advocate.{{cite news |title=Eileen Park Robertson |url=https://www.ifaw.org/people/board/eileen-park-robertson |access-date=30 August 2024 |work=IFAW}} Their wedding took place at Stanley Park in Vancouver, paying tribute to their respective Scottish and Korean ancestry by wearing the Clan Robertson tartan and a Park family emblem.{{Cite web|last=Macon|first=Alexandra|title=This Couple Said Their Vows Beneath the Largest Maple Tree in the Forests of Canada|url=https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/elopement-wedding-beneath-the-largest-maple-tree-in-canada|access-date=2021-03-18|website=Vogue|date=March 18, 2021 |language=en-us}} When news of their interracial marriage was published in Vogue magazine, Eileen, a Korean-American, was targeted with racist and misogynist hate.{{cite news |title='Avalanche of anti-Asian hate' after Vogue feature on former Vancouver mayor's wedding |url=https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2021/03/21/vogue-gregor-robertson-eileen-park/ |access-date=22 July 2022 |work=vancouver.citynews.ca}} She spoke out about her personal experiences with racism while working in media and government.{{cite news |title='We've been suppressing our rage for decades': How the Atlanta killings — then the backlash to her own wedding — moved Eileen Park to speak out against racism |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/03/23/weve-been-suppressing-our-rage-for-decades-how-the-atlanta-killings-then-the-backlash-to-her-own-wedding-moved-eileen-park-to-speak-out-against-racism.html |access-date=22 July 2022 |work= The Star |date=23 March 2021 |language=en}}

Robertson is a tuba player; he and his former MLA colleague Nicholas Simons performed on country-punk musician Slim Milkie's 2010 album Silverado.[https://www.straight.com/article-254174/mla-strikes-hardcore-gold "NDP MLA Nicholas Simons strikes hardcore gold record"]. The Georgia Straight, September 3, 2009.

He is a distant relative of Norman Bethune. His grandmother was a first cousin of the Canadian doctor, a hero of the mainland Chinese Communist Revolution.{{cite web|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/vancouver-mayor-will-downplay-bethune-link-on-chinese-trade-mission/article1379301/|title=Vancouver mayor will downplay Bethune link on Chinese trade mission|work=The Globe and Mail|date=September 6, 2010|access-date=August 14, 2021}}

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