Three Vancouver NPA members say John Coupar’s mayoral nomination lacked transparency
Posted April 6, 2021 10:35 pm.
Last Updated April 6, 2021 10:36 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Three Non-Partisan Association Vancouver city councillors say they aren’t happy with the way John Coupar was nominated to be the party’s Vancouver mayoral candidate for the 2022 civic election.
Vancouver’s NPA Board Executives nominated Coupar — a long-time Vancouver Park Board commissioner — who “represents the best of Vancouver,” on Monday.
READ MORE: Vancouver Park Board commissioner nominated as NPA’s mayoral candidate
However, Vancouver city councillors Sarah Kirby-Yung, Lisa Dominato, and Colleen Hardwick released a joint statement Tuesday evening, saying they didn’t learn about the nomination until right before the media announcement.
“We are extremely disappointed there was no open, transparent, and democratic call for mayoral candidates, or applications, or nomination process,” the statement reads. “Thus eliminating any opportunity for elected women in the NPA Caucus to participate or for any others to submit expressions of interest.”
Statement from myself and Councillors @LisaDominato and @CllrHardwick. pic.twitter.com/onriPMUERL
— Sarah Kirby-Yung 楊瑞蘭 (@sarahkirby_yung) April 7, 2021
The three councillors add that the board’s actions “fall short” to the standard of transparency and strong, trustworthy leadership.
Notably, Vancouver city councillor Melissa De Genova who is also part of the NPA party, was not included in the statement.
