Sam Sullivan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sam Sullivan
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Sullivan in May 2008
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| 38th Mayor of Vancouver | |
| In office December 5, 2005 – December 8, 2008 |
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| Preceded by | Larry Campbell |
| Succeeded by | Gregor Robertson |
| Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development of British Columbia | |
| In office June 12, 2017 – July 18, 2017 |
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| Premier | Christy Clark |
| Preceded by | Peter Fassbender |
| Succeeded by | Lisa Beare (Tourism, Arts, and Culture) |
| Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly for Vancouver-False Creek |
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| In office May 14, 2013 – October 24, 2020 |
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| Preceded by | Mary McNeil |
| Succeeded by | Brenda Bailey |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 13, 1959 |
| Political party | BC Conservatives (provincial, current) BC Liberal Party (provincial, former) Non-Partisan Association (municipal) |
| Alma mater | Simon Fraser University Langara College |
Sam Sullivan CM (born November 13, 1959) is a Canadian politician. He served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Vancouver-False Creek in British Columbia. He was also the 38th mayor of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Sam Sullivan has been recognized as a member of the Order of Canada for his important work.
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Early Life and Education
Sam Sullivan was born on November 13, 1959. His parents, Lloyd and Ida Sullivan, lived in East Vancouver. His father ran an auto parts business. Sam has three brothers, Donald, Patrick, and Terry, and one sister, Carol. He went to Chief Maquinna Elementary and Vancouver Technical Secondary School. Both schools are in East Vancouver.
Overcoming Challenges
When Sam was 19, he had a skiing accident. He broke his neck, which caused him to become almost completely paralyzed. This meant he could not move most of his body.
After a difficult period, he went to Simon Fraser University. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Later, Sullivan started six non-profit organizations. These groups help improve life for people with disabilities.
Helping People with Disabilities
In 2005, Sam Sullivan received the Order of Canada. This is Canada's highest award for people who achieve great things in their communities. He earned it for his work helping people with significant disabilities. The Sam Sullivan Disability Foundation has raised over $20 million. It has helped more than 10,000 people with disabilities.
Here are some of the organizations he started:
- Tetra Society: This group finds skilled volunteers. They create special tools and devices for people with disabilities. These devices are custom-made and not sold in stores. There are 45 chapters across Canada and the US. They have made over 5,000 devices.
- Adaptive Sailing Association: This group helps people with disabilities enjoy sailing. It started in Vancouver and now has 20 programs. Sullivan helped create the Martin 16 sailboat. This boat is made for people with disabilities. It can even be steered by quadriplegics using "sip-and-puff" technology. About 150 of these sailboats are used worldwide. Sullivan also started the Mobility Cup, a national sailing race for people with disabilities.
- British Columbia Mobility Opportunities Society Wilderness Access Program: Sullivan worked with a volunteer to invent the TrailRider. This is a special one-wheeled vehicle. It helps people with disabilities explore nature and wilderness areas. Over 100 TrailRiders are used globally. They have been used to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and reach Mount Everest base camp. This society also offers adaptive paddleboarding and kayaking.
- Vancouver Adapted Music Society: This organization has a music studio. It helps people with disabilities pursue their musical dreams. This includes recording music and performing. Sam Sullivan was even in a band called Spinal Chord. They recorded an album in 1993. Sullivan sang and played keyboards using special computer software.
- ConnecTra Society: ConnecTra helps people with physical disabilities connect with activities. These programs help them grow and become more active in their communities. It has helped over 200 people find jobs and become more involved.
For his achievements, Sullivan was inducted into the Terry Fox Hall of Fame in 2000. He also won the Christopher Reeve Award in 2008.
Serving on City Council
Sam Sullivan was first elected to Vancouver City Council in 1993. He was a member of the Non-Partisan Association (NPA). He served on the council for a total of 15 years.
In the 2002 Vancouver municipal election, Sullivan was the only NPA council member to win re-election. The NPA party lost many seats that year. In 2004, he led a campaign against changing how city councillors were elected. The proposal was defeated in a public vote.
Becoming Mayor of Vancouver
In 2005, the Non-Partisan Association chose Sam Sullivan as their candidate for mayor. He won against Christy Clark for the nomination. Sullivan then led his party to win most of the seats on the City Council, School Board, and Park Board.
In the 2005 Vancouver municipal election, Sullivan ran against Vision Vancouver councillor Jim Green. Sullivan won by a small number of votes.
Citizen Sam Documentary
A documentary film called Citizen Sam was made about Sullivan. It was shown in November 2006. The film was nominated for a Gemini Award.
Olympic and Paralympic Games
Sullivan took part in the 2006 Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony. He was part of the ceremony where the Olympic Flag was passed from Turin to Vancouver. The flag was placed in a special holder on his wheelchair. He then moved his wheelchair back and forth to wave the flag.
After this event, Sullivan received many letters from people around the world. They were inspired by what he did. He also received many invitations to speak at events.
EcoDensity Initiative
In 2006, Sullivan started the EcoDensity initiative. Its goal was to make Vancouver more sustainable and affordable. This included plans to build more homes in the city. Sullivan believed that more housing and smaller ecological footprints were needed for a growing population.
The City of Vancouver later took ownership of the "EcoDensity" name. In 2009, the Canadian Institute of Planners gave the EcoDensity initiative an award.
Project Civil City
In 2006, Sullivan started Project Civil City. This program aimed to improve public order in Vancouver. The project found that police alone could not solve the city's social problems. A key part of this project was creating the Street to Home Foundation. This foundation encouraged people to donate money to help solve homelessness.
Statistics showed that property crimes in Vancouver decreased during his term as mayor. However, homelessness and street disorder increased in the first two years of the project. The project was stopped in 2010.
Civic Strike
In 2007, Vancouver city workers went on strike. This strike lasted 88 days. It was the second longest strike in Vancouver's history. The unions blamed Sullivan for the strike lasting so long. Eventually, a mediator helped resolve the dispute.
After Being Mayor
In 2008, Sam Sullivan lost the nomination to run for mayor again for his party. Peter Ladner won the nomination. Ladner then lost the main mayoral election.
Global Civic Policy Society
In 2009, Sullivan started the Global Civic Policy Society. This group hosts public talks called Public Salons. These talks feature thinkers and doers from Vancouver. The society also has a Greeting Fluency Initiative. This encourages people to learn greetings in different languages. They even have a smartphone app for this. The society also works to increase urban housing in Vancouver. They are also putting old Vancouver City Council meeting minutes online for free.
Chinook Wawa Revival
Sullivan is working to bring back Chinook Jargon. This is an old Indigenous trade language once used in British Columbia. He has hosted events to teach people about this language. He has also published videos of elders speaking Chinook Wawa.
Transcribimus
In 2012, Sullivan started a project called Transcribimus. He hired and recruited volunteers to write out old handwritten Vancouver City Council Minutes. These documents are from 1886 to 1891. His goal was to make these historical records available online for everyone. The project has transcribed 2,500 pages of handwritten documents.
Kumtuks Educational Series
In 2016, Sullivan began publishing Kumtuks. This is a Chinook Jargon word meaning "knowledge." This series includes videos and articles. They cover British Columbia's history, public policy, and general knowledge.
Provincial Politics
In 2012, Sullivan announced he would run for the BC Liberal Party nomination. He wanted to be the MLA for Vancouver-False Creek. He won the nomination and then won the election in 2013.
2017 Provincial Election
Sullivan was re-elected as MLA for Vancouver False Creek in 2017. He was briefly appointed Minister of Communities, Sport and Cultural Development. His time as minister was short. The Liberal government lost a vote and a new government was formed. Sullivan and the Liberals then became the Opposition.
Liberal Leadership
In 2017, Sullivan tried to become the leader of the BC Liberal Party. He was eliminated in the first round of voting. He was defeated in the 2020 provincial election.
Images for kids
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Sullivan in May 2008
