Mayor Gregor Robertson on the passing of Jim Green

Jim Green, defender of the poor, activist, politician, football-lover, died Tuesday morning. He was 68 years old, and was battling lung cancer.

"It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of Jim Green," Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said in a statement today.

In his speech, Mayor Robertson lauded the late City Councillor as a "passionate advocate for Vancouver" and commended him for his "tireless activism for social justice, democracy, the arts and the shaping of a fair, inclusive and sustainable city."

"His work on the Downtown Eastside in particular has left a remarkable legacy of new opportunity and hope for many of Vancouver’s most marginalized and vulnerable citizens," he said.

The mayor talked about Green's unwavering involvement with the poor and his goal to bring about positive change, adding:

"He taught communities and citizens across Vancouver how to mobilize for positive change both for their neighbourhoods and in their own lives, and devoted his life to the idea that a city is strongest when it empowers its citizens. Many of the policies we take for granted today were championed by Jim long before they were common practice in Vancouver."

The City presented Jim Green with Vancouver's top honour for a citizen's leadership and service, "Freedom of the City," this past weekend. 

"He will be greatly missed by his colleagues at City Hall, by his large network of friends and fellow advocates, and by the many grateful citizens whose lives he touched and inspired," Mayor Robertson concluded. "On behalf of City Council and the citizens of Vancouver, I wish to extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time – and to thank Jim one final time for his lasting contributions to making the City of Vancouver a better place."