SAM Sullivan, MLA and former mayor of Vancouver, on Thursday vowed to bring more urban and youth support for the BC Liberal Party as he announced that he has formally filed his papers for the BC Liberal leadership race.

He is the first to announce his bid for the leadership. Former minister Andrew Wilkinson and Conservative MP Dianne Watts are expected to enter the race this weekend.

In a press statement, his office noted: “A recent Insights West poll indicated he is currently second place in public support. Sullivan is a former mayor of Vancouver who led his municipal party from opposition to government in 2005.”

Sullivan said he will take on tough issues and lead the party in new directions. His priority will be to reduce house prices by reforming municipal governance to increase supply, end the overdose crisis by providing substitution treatments and bringing in an MST, a Modified HST.

Sullivan vowed to open discussion on other innovative ideas to bring in elements of privatization to healthcare, enable charter schools, get government out of the alcohol business, reform privacy legislation and sort out responsibilities of first responders.

Campaign Manager Jeffrey Moore said, “Sam Sullivan will champion tough issues that most politicians won’t touch.”

Sullivan is a Member of the Order of Canada and has also been Minister of Communities, Sport and Culture and Translink.