Question 6

Question 6. We have to ask: are you planning – secretly, overtly, or otherwise – to abolish or reform the Park Board? If yes, what are you intending to do? In general, what’s your vision for Park Board governance?

Stephen MENON (200) – No plans, secret or otherwise, to abolish it. Keeping the Park Board independently elected is part of Vote Vancouver’s platform. I’m running because I believe in an independently elected park board, not just in name, but also a financially independent park board.

The abolition debate took years of energy that should have gone into fixing pools, renewing community centres and caring for the urban forest. The better question is what an elected board should do to earn its independence.

My vision is a Park Board that is:

Accountable: published service standards, like how long a tree hazard or stump waits and how quickly residents hear back.

Transparent: plain language budgets, and honest capital plans that separate “named” from “funded.”

Properly funded: a working relationship with Council based on evidence and working towards financial independence.

A good partner: with Community Centre Associations, and with the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and səlilwətaɬ Nations.

Leonard VANDERSTAR (202) – I hear your concern since there has been movement afoot to do so, hence one of the reasons why I stepped forward as a candidate. VIPP will be steadfast in ensuring that the Park Board is not abolished and it maintains its authority of jurisdiction over the City’s parks.

Tamiko SUZUKI (206) – Absolutely not. COPE believes in an independent, democratically elected Park Board — one where collaboration and clear communication with City Council are a given, staff and community members are heard, and Commissioners work together with mutual respect and a shared commitment to caring for Vancouver’s Public Commons.

Independence is not about working in isolation. It is about having the authority to make decisions in the best interests of our parks and recreation facilities, while working constructively with Council. It also means changing the financial relationship with Council so the Park Board is not so vulnerable to year-to-year budget decisions. Our parks and recreation facilities need stable, predictable funding so we can plan for the long term, address aging infrastructure, and meet the needs of a growing city.

Summit AMBEAULT-WANNAMAKER (210) – No. I have no plans to abolish nor reform the park board.

My view for governance lies in four pillars: transparency, accountability, independence, and partnership.

Transparency, for me, means no open ended questions that facilitate the erosion of public trust.

Accountability, in my opinion, means actively listening to the concerns of other board members, staff, and the wider community.

Independence, in my view, is a process to reduce the financial reliance on the city council, while maintaining strong relations in order to continue to best serve the community.

My vision for the park board is to enable a space where collaboration and knowledge can come from anywhere: Citizens, staff, and fellow commissioners.

And finally, partnership is a crucial step to this process: In my view, partnership is about actively working with local indigenous nations, provincial partners, and even the federal government to most effectively serve Vancouverites.

Shayla BIRD (211) – I support an independent, democratically elected and properly funded Vancouver Park Board. The Vancouver Liberals have committed to maintaining its independence while reforming how the Board works with the City, including a Joint Budget Advisory Committee and restoring Park Board oversight of parks and recreation facilities.

I believe reform should focus on making the Park Board work better: clearer accountability, better communication with City Council, transparent budgeting and capital planning, and stronger relationships with residents and community organizations.

Independence and collaboration are not opposites. An independent Park Board can work collaboratively with City Council while remaining directly accountable to Vancouverites for the parks and recreation system entrusted to it.

Cam ROTHERY (213) – Absolutely not. In fact, we are planning to expand the level of engagement the Parks Board has with the citizens of Vancouver. We will convene monthly town halls to meaningfully engage with citizens and their concerns. Then based on that engagement elected commissioners will set policy for the parks and public facilities. Unelected city staff will implement those policies, but those same staff will not be allowed not usurp the authority of commissioners to push their own policies that go against the public will.

Tyler PETERSEN (214) – I am overtly looking to keep and sustain a thriving Park Board.

By implementing the no- and low-cost tools, previously mentioned, we can increase the independence and resiliency of the Park Board. Once we can show Vancouverites the value proposition of a functional, funded Park Board, we can pursue longer-term strategies to reinforce these.

My vision for the governance of the Park Board is to serve as a single hub for folks to raise concerns and ideas regarding our parks, pools, beaches, and community centres – without as much need to make that same pitch to City Council later (often requiring one to take time off work).

Sacia BURTON (215) – I have no plans (of any variety!) to abolish the Park Board. The only reform I would be interested in exploring is electoral reform, as it could ensure a more accurate representation and reflection of the electorates’ intention and wishes. Given the Park Board is elected on the same ballot as City Council, Mayor, and School Board, any conversations about electoral reform would need to be first jointly discussed with those levels of local government as well as the public.

Breanne SMART (216) - Absolutely not. An independently run Park Board is the exact reason why we have over 250 parks and 24 community centres. The Park Board is proof that our city prioritizes its community and green spaces. Voters should be wary of any party who claims abolishment of the Park Board as one of its efficiency measures.

John IRWIN (217) – Having the current city council stay in their lane and leave the Parks Board’s (PB) jurisdiction alone is one key critical issue. We would direct staff, and possibly legal counsel, to define and strengthen the PB’s jurisdiction under the Vancouver Charter. This policy work should be multifaceted and would also have staff make recommendations to strengthen the Park Board and would explore how to have the three local nations move towards representation on the Park Board.

Amanda BAINS (221) – I am not running to abolish the Park Board. I am running to rebuild and strengthen it.

The Vancouver Liberals support retaining an independent, democratically elected Park Board with stable funding, clearly defined responsibilities and the authority to protect Vancouver’s parks and recreation system.

Reform should mean better governance—not eliminating democratic accountability. I support stronger financial oversight, transparent capital planning, measurable service standards, improved coordination with City Council and clearer public reporting. Residents should be able to see how decisions are made, how money is spent and whether promised projects are actually being delivered.

Major structural changes to the Park Board should never be imposed without meaningful public consultation and democratic consent.

Tom DIGBY (222) – Greens were honoured to lead the charge for preservation of the elected Park Board. Adriane Carr and Pete Fry were first to show up to defend its preservation.

For improved governance, we expect the new Mayor to meet regularly with Park Board commissioners (Ken Sim did not meet once with the elected Board in 4 years.)

Michael Robert CADITZ (226) – Unequivocal “no.” We will institute bottom-up governance. We will convene monthly town halls to meaningfully engage with citizens and their concerns. Elected commissioners set policy for parks. Unelected City staff implement those policies. Staff will not be allowed not usurp the authority of commissioners.

Tricia BARKER (229) – I plan to fight to keep the Park Board! I was with the group of former Park Board Commissioners that came together to make sure the Park Board remained. I appreciate you asking this question and it’s good to have people answer.

My reason for keeping the Park Board is simple. Good Park Board Commissioners ensure the public has a voice regarding the running of every aspect of what the Park Board oversees.

Dominic DENOFRIO (230) – I am not planning to abolish the Park Board. OneCity believes in an independent, democratically-elected Park Board that is directly accountable to the voters in Vancouver. I would like to see reforms to the Park Board’s funding model, to ensure that an independent Park Board can operate independently of City Council and deliver on promises made to Vancouverites.

Niknaz ALEMI (231) – No secret plans here! I strongly support keeping an independent, democratically elected Park Board!

For me, the value of the Park Board is that Vancouver has an elected body specifically focused on our parks, recreation facilities and public green spaces. Commissioners are directly accountable to residents for those decisions, and I think that democratic accountability is worth protecting. At the same time, protecting the Park Board does not mean saying that everything about the current system is perfect. I would support reforms that make it more transparent, accountable and effective, with clearer responsibilities between the Park Board and City Council, better coordination on budgets and infrastructure, stronger oversight of major decisions, and more meaningful public participation.

My vision is an elected Park Board that is independent enough to advocate for Vancouver’s parks and public spaces, but collaborative enough to work effectively with the City, First Nations, Community Centre Associations, senior governments and local communities. I don’t think efficiency and democracy have to compete with each other. We should be able to improve how the Park Board works without removing an elected body that gives residents a direct voice in how their public spaces are governed.

Wah GEE (233) – No, I do not support abolishing the Park Board. I support TEAM’s commitment to keeping an independent, elected Board.

Vancouver residents should be able to elect people whose main job is to care for parks and recreation. The Board needs the funding, staff and authority to do that job properly.

I also want it to work better. That means clear budgets, meetings people can take part in, and regular updates on what has been promised and delivered.

My approach would be to listen, explain my decisions and follow through. I would work respectfully with Council, First Nations, community centre associations and residents.