Bob Mackin
The Vancouver Non-Partisan Association is going with a law and order theme for its slate unveiled during a May 24 Italian Cultural Centre fundraiser.
The John Coupar-led party has recruited three candidates for city council from the policing sphere: Ex-Canadian Border Services Agency intelligence officer Cinnamon Bhayani, South Vancouver Community Policing Centre executive director Mauro Francis, and Vancouver Police Department crime analyst Arezo Zarrabian.
NPA mayoral candidate John Coupar at the party’s May 24 fundraiser (NPA/Twitter)
They join lone incumbent Melissa De Genova on the NPA’s Oct. 15 ticket. De Genova is seeking her third term at 12th and Cambie and is married to a Vancouver Police officer. Three of the other four elected in 2018 left the party in April 2021 when Coupar was appointed the mayoral candidate last year by the party board.
Other NPA candidates running for city council are Skills Canada-B.C. CEO Elaine Allan and Dunbar Theatre operator Ken Charko.
Incumbent Tricia Barker is one of four candidates for Park Board. Sports management consultant Ray Goldenchild, InTech Environmental president Dave Pasin and photographer and travel consultant Matt Pregent round out the team.
NPA candidates for school board are to be announced.
In a prepared statement, Coupar says incumbent Mayor Kennedy Stewart has put Vancouver in trouble.
“It has become unaffordable for too many young people and new arrivals,” Coupar said. “Homelessness is worse than ever and so is crime. The city is dirty and doesn’t work for our residents. And meantime, the Mayor and his allies on council seem clueless about what to do on any of these issues.”
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