Marianne Alto Explained

Honorific-Prefix:Mayor
Marianne Alto
Order:Mayor of Victoria
Term Start:November 3, 2022
Predecessor:Lisa Helps
Nationality:Canadian

Marianne Alto is a Canadian politician, who has served as mayor of Victoria, British Columbia since November 3, 2022.[1]

She was first elected to Victoria City Council in a by-election in November 2010, following the resignation of Sonya Chandler.[2] The by-election took place on the same day as the city's referendum on the Johnson Street Bridge replacement project, which passed with 60 per cent support; Alto was the only candidate in the by-election who unequivocally supported the project.[3] She was reelected to a full term on council in the 2011 British Columbia municipal elections,[4] and served as chair of the council's housing committee.[5] When the city's federal Member of Parliament Denise Savoie retired from politics in 2012, Alto was speculated as a potential New Democratic Party candidate in the resulting by-election, but declined to run.[6]

She was reelected to council again in the 2014 British Columbia municipal elections.[7] As one of the city's representatives to the Capital Regional District board, she was appointed chair of a special task force to work on improving municipal relations with local First Nations groups.[8]

She was reelected to a third council term in the 2018 British Columbia municipal elections,[9] but did not serve as a CRD board representative in her new term.[10] She was elected mayor of the city in the 2022 British Columbia municipal elections, identifying housing issues in the city as one of her key priorities.[11]

Notes and References

  1. Andrew A. Duffy, "Tough decisions could put new Victoria mayor's 'honeymoon' to the test". Victoria Times-Colonist, January 10, 2023.
  2. Bill Cleverley, "Alto edges out Hobbis to capture vacant city seat". Victoria Times-Colonist, November 21, 2010.
  3. Roszan Holmen, "Bridge replacement secured; Marianne Alto elected". Victoria News, November 20, 2010.
  4. Bill Cleverley, "Fortin rolls to win, but two allies out; Incumbents Hunter, Luton defeated as council gains three newcomers". Victoria Times-Colonist, November 20, 2011.
  5. Bill Cleverley, "City moves motel's conversion to affordable housing a step forward". Victoria Times-Colonist, March 2, 2012.
  6. Bill Cleverley, "City councillor plans to run for NDP nomination". Victoria Times-Colonist, October 2, 2012.
  7. Andrea Peacock, "Lisa Helps is Victoria's new mayor". Victoria News, November 15, 2014.
  8. Christine Van Reeuwyk, "CRD task force steps up First Nations engagement". Oak Bay News, January 20, 2015.
  9. Bill Cleverley, "Victoria: Helps shakes off rivals". Victoria Times-Colonist, October 21, 2018.
  10. Bill Cleverley, "Four consider a run for CRD board chairperson". Victoria Times-Colonist, October 24, 2018.
  11. Jake Romphf, "Marianne Alto ascends to Victoria mayor". Saanich News, October 15, 2022.