Bob Mackin
Ex-Premier Christy Clark introduced herself as a “longtime Liberal” in a robocall urging voters to choose her ex-husband, Mark Marissen, for mayor of Vancouver on Oct. 15.
Christy Clark (left) and Mark Marissen – divorced but always a political couple (Silvester Law/Instagram)
In August, Clark announced she had joined the Conservative Party in order to vote for Jean Charest as leader. Pierre Poilievre eventually won by a landslide.
“I’m the former Premier of British Columbia and I’m a longtime Liberal and I’m calling you about Vancouver’s municipal election. I’m really worried about the future of our city. We just don’t have the leadership we need to get housing built and to make our streets safer,” said the recorded message that was sent to potential voters on Oct. 9.
Clark, who originally endorsed Marissen in July 2021, said he would make a great mayor because of his promise to defer property taxes for first time homebuyers.
“Mark is a leader. I trust him. He’ll keep the dream of homeownership alive in Vancouver and he’ll make our city more affordable so our kids and our grandchildren can afford to live here, too. Ken Sim doesn’t have a plan and in your heart of hearts, you know, we can’t afford another mayor who won’t get anything done. Mark Marissen will.”
While Clark’s message touted Marissen’s stance on housing affordability, it was one of the top issues that led to her demise in 2017 when the BC Liberals were under fire for taking six-figure donations from real estate tycoons.
Clark once had designs on becoming Vancouver mayor. In 2005, the year after she quit as an MLA for the first time, Clark sought the NPA nomination but lost a close race to eventual mayor Sam Sullivan.
Clark and Marissen’s marriage broke-up in 2009. Marissen continued to be on her inner circle of advisors through the end of her political career in 2017, when the BC Liberals lost their majority and fell out of power after suffering a confidence vote defeat by the Green-supported NDP minority.
Clark is now a senior advisor at the Bennett Jones law firm and board director with Shaw Communications, The Keg’s parent Recipe Unlimited and beer, wine, liquor and marijuana company Constellation Brands.
Marissen is running for mayor under the Progress Vancouver banner, after his Yes Vancouver party ran former NPA councillor Hector Bremner to a fifth place finish in 2018’s mayoral race.
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