This story has been updated to include new information.
Mark Sager is seeking a rematch for the West Vancouver mayor’s chair.
Sager, who served as mayor for the municipality from 1990 to 1996, was very nearly elected back to the top job in 2018. Following a judicial recount, Sager lost to current Mayor Mary-Ann Booth by just 21 votes.
In a campaign website launched this week, Sager outlines his main issues for 2022. Among them, Sager says council needs to be prudent with taxpayer dollars, including the need for a cost-benefit analysis on matters coming before council.
Sager said he would work to make the municipality more accessible and transparent, and improve civic engagement with residents and the business community.
“The district’s daily purpose is to build quality of life for all West Vancouver residents. Citizen-focused local government and continuous improvement of district services for West Vancouver are strong priorities,” it reads.
Sager said he would also work to modernize government services to make interactions with municipal hall easier for everyone, “including permit wait times for residential and commercial properties.”
Sager also lists the North Shore’s “almost intolerable” congestion as an area of focus.
“There are simply too many people travelling great distances for work in our community. Having served as vice-chair at Metro [Vancouver], I am confident I can find the support for manageable and realistic transportation solutions,” the message reads.
Outside of politics, Sager is a founding partner of the Ambleside-based Sager Nairne LLP law firm.
In 2020, the Law Society of B.C. fined Sager $20,000 for professional misconduct after an investigation found Sager directed a staff member to prepare a will for his godmother that named Sager as a beneficiary, and for accepting a $75,000 gift from his godmother, without her having received independent advice from a lawyer.
So far, incumbent Booth has confirmed she is running again.
Following Sager's announcement, Nigel Malkin, a founder of the Civix West Vancouver political party, said he is officially undecided as to whether he will run for mayor, a seat on council, or at all.
The 2022 municipal elections are scheduled for Oct. 15.
