Do political parties matter at the local level? The role of local political parties on rezoning decisions in Vancouver (1999-2005)

This research seeks to understand the role played by local Vancouver parties in rezoning decisions made between 1999 and 2005. During this six year period, two parties with vast ideological differences held power—the Non Partisan Association (NPA) and the Coalition of Progressive Electors (COPE). Two methods were used in this study—a content analysis and elite interviews. Analysis of the data revealed that political parties do appear to make a difference in shaping rezoning decisions. Comparing the results of rezoning decisions between COPE and NPA Councils revealed a difference in approval/refusal rates as well as the amount of changes made to applications. The data also revealed how differences in the rezoning decisions of these two parties may be attributed to a difference in political ideology party cohesiveness, and the way in which these parties responded to the public.