“Our new city council has a very interesting mix of people, with varied backgrounds and experiences,” said Libby Davies, the former NDP MP for Vancouver East, who was the MC for the inaugural ceremony. “I think it’s fair to say that the eyes of Vancouver are upon you, to see what you do, both individually and collectively,” she told the new councillors. “There is no clear majority from any one group and so for the first time in many years — well, decades — there is no sure bet about anything. This presents a unique challenge that might unsettle some people. But it also produces an opportunity to be a city council that breaks through partisan histories and traditions, to find ways of learning and co-operating.”