A Maclean's Magazine feature story in late 1970 focused on the social revolution that had erupted in Vancc-uver, and the new thinking that banished freeways, revitalized neighborhoods and threatened to take control of city hall.

Gary Bannerman

This was the climate that created Gastown, saved China- town and put creative thinkers in charge of every institution.

Maclean’s singled out threc young leaders to symbolize the Spirit. The first was Larry Killam, the Gastown redeveloper, describ- ed as ‘‘a carnivore among the vegcetarians.”’ The second was Skirtey Chan, a dynamic crusader in efforts to save Strathcona.

But Maclean’s associate editor Sandy Ross saved his best line for a 27-year-old lawyer and former athlete who seemed far too thoughtful, friendly and polite for the revolutionary role he aspired to. Ross called Mike Elarcourt, a gray flannel guerrilla.

I remember Mike in those days. He was an eamest young man. God was he earnest! Any question would be rewarded by a long, awkward and painful response, laced with phrases such as social justice, equality for all, and pro- tecting the intrinsic worth of a community.

The young Harcourt could easi- ly have wor a position with a large law firm. He always has rubbed shoulders with the establishment. Instead, he chose to open up a storefront law office in the East End.

**We'd take the cases Harry Ramkkiec’s firm wouldn’t touch,” he told me recently.

“*storefront,”’ he had moved to an upper floor at 777 Hornby. A skid-row rubbic then needed the navigational skills of Vasco de Gama ta find his lawyer.

It took me five years to teach Harcourt kow to pronounce the name of the ncighborhood he was saving. To him, it was Strath-ah- cona. They loved him anyway.

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The Chinese residents never could pronounce Lord Strathcona’s name either.

The gray flannel guerrilla became part of The Electors’ Ac- tion Movement, the largely liberal Shaughnessy movement to reform city hall. He was detuched but en- thusiastic.

Mike Harcourt is careful. He meticulously prepared for his first Vancouver aldermanic campaign, cuaning and winning in 1972.

As the elections rolled by, he became the most popular member of city council. As he distanced himself from Mayor Art Philips, TEAM, subsequent Mayer Jack Volrich and the NPA, he also evaded the embraces of the NDP and COPE on the left. He turned down the early entreaties to seek the mayoralty.

In 1980, he was ready. He ran and won as an independent. He was grateful for the endorsement of the feft and centre-left parties.

Mike Harcourt was mayor for six years, more popular at the end than he was at the beginning. He'd still be mayor if he had

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The provincial scene proved more elusive. He lost for the NDP in 1975 and 1979, before finally winning in 1986. The leadership was vir} sally thrust upon him. There was no one else of substance available for the shat- tered party.

There is a myth that stalks Harcourt everywhere he goes. It has become conventional political wisdom to say he opposed Expo. The NDP leader has given up try- ing to explain the truth.

In 1980, when Mayor Jack Volrich and a Vancouver delega- tion made its official bid to the International Bureau of Exposi- tions in Paris, Harcourt was runn- ing for mayor.

He and his supporters were worried that no thought had been given to the neighborhoods that might be plowed under to make way for this fair. He had serious questions about money.

He dispatched an unofficial telegram to Paris urging the Bureau to turn down Vancouver’s application. Mayor Volrich, the official representative, told Patrick Reid to toss the telegram in the garbage.

It never was presented.

Vancouver was awarded Expo. Harcourt became the mayor. And that was the end of the cpposi- tion.

The city had many debates with Expo planners about the Cambie Street Eridge, Pacific Boulevard, preservation of neighborhoods and access to the new trade and convention centre, but all these matters were brilliantly done by both Expo and the city.

City manager Fritz Bowers, city engineer Biil Curtis, planner Ray Spaximan, police chief Bob Stewart and others deserved trophies.

Mike Harcourt was an Expo booster.

Sunday, October 13, 1991 - North Shore News - 9

flannel guerrilla

But who cares? He’s given up explaining. And so should I.

He is infuriating to deal with. There is no such thing as a hard and fast atiswer. Harcourt is pleasant, accessible, thoughtful,

intelligent, honest and dependable.

When you visit any of his storefronts, there will be a thorough analysis for your shopp- ing list. You'll be so exhilarated by ic all that you'll forget that your basket remains empty.

The only satisfaction is the cer- tain knowledge that your com- petitors will be treated the same way.

His agenda is one of broad goals and consensus. He steers the middle course between strong- willed protagonists, and through it, inoffensive progress is made. If there is no conflict, Harcourt is content to enjoy his job, himself and everyone else,

Some weeks ago, a powerful Socred expressed concern to me for the province if Mike Harcourt were to become premier. He wouldn’t listen to contrary opi- nion.

T tried a different tack. ! sug- gested that it might be good for the Social Credit party to have a period in opposition to rebuild, rethink and renew.

He replied: ‘‘The problem with that is, I'm afraid that once Har- court gets into power, he’ll be there for a long, long time.”’

I smiled at this and said: ‘*What does that tell you?”’

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He thought for a moment, and then grinned: ‘'I guess it means he’s got a few things going for hirn, doesn’t it?”

Harcourt in power is just about as comfortable as the favorite sweater in your closet. It might not be the one you wear to im- press visitors, but it has its use.

For years Mike Harcourt would walk around as mayor parroting New York’s Ed Koch, asking everyone he met: ‘“‘How am I do- ing?”

Guerrilla, the storefront you are looking for is just up the stairs at the Menzies Street side of the building.

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