Where the candidates stand on parks & recreation
Every candidate for Mayor of Vancouver in 2026, on each parks & recreation question in the questionnaire. Verified positions come from the candidate’s own public material. Where there is none, a clearly labelled AI-assisted estimate is shown instead. How positions are found.
Vancouver should keep an independently elected Park Board.
Amauri Caliman · Independent candidate
Somewhat agree
I support keeping an independently elected Park Board while improving coordination and accountability between the Board and City Council. Residents should be able to see who is responsible for decisions, spending and results.
Confirmed by candidateConfirmed by candidate via email on September 30, 2026
Colleen Hardwick · TEAM for a Livable Vancouver
Strongly agree
Supports preserving an independent elected Park Board and returning finance, operations and facilities to its jurisdiction.
Published campaign materialParks & Recreation (2026) ↗
Kareem Allam · Vancouver Liberals
Strongly agree
Strongly supports keeping and properly funding an independent elected Park Board.
Published campaign materialKareem's Plan for a Better Vancouver ↗
Ken Sim · ABC Vancouver
Somewhat agree
ABC no longer seeks to dissolve the elected Park Board and is running Park Board candidates in 2026.
Candidate's own materialABC Vancouver announces position on Vancouver Park Board ↗
Muhammad Ahmad · Bright Future Vancouver
Neutral or mixed
The Blueprint sets out parks and service priorities without taking a recorded position on Park Board governance.
Why the model reads it this way: The source does not indicate whether parks should remain under an elected Park Board, so the estimate is mixed.
Pete Fry · Green Party of Vancouver
Strongly agree
Supports retaining the elected Park Board and is running a Green Park Board slate.
Published campaign materialPete Fry for Mayor ↗
Rebecca Bligh · Vote Vancouver
Strongly agree
We strongly agree with this, and it remains a part of our platform.
Confirmed by candidateConfirmed by Vote Vancouver via email on October 1, 2026
Scott Gilbert · Independent candidate
Somewhat agree
Keep an independently elected Park Board: 4.
Confirmed by candidateConfirmed by candidate via email on October 2, 2026
Vancouver should substantially increase capital spending on parks, pools and recreation facilities.
Amauri Caliman · Independent candidate
Neutral or mixed
I support targeted investment where asset condition, safety, accessibility, demand and long-term value justify it. I would not commit to a blanket increase in capital spending without first reviewing priorities, costs and the condition of facilities citywide.
Confirmed by candidateConfirmed by candidate via email on September 30, 2026
Colleen Hardwick · TEAM for a Livable Vancouver
Strongly agree
...pledge $739 million over four years to invest in our parks and recreation facilities
Condition: Subject to an annual baseline review of the Park Board budget.
Published campaign materialParks & Recreation (2026) ↗
Kareem Allam · Vancouver Liberals
Strongly agree
That's why we're committing 400 new frontline workers and a historic $1.35B investment in parks, recreation, and pools.
Published campaign materialKareem's Plan for a Better Vancouver ↗
Ken Sim · ABC Vancouver
Somewhat agree
Rebuilding and renewing community centres across Vancouver.
Published campaign materialPriorities — ABC Vancouver ↗
Muhammad Ahmad · Bright Future Vancouver
Somewhat agree
Would protect revenue for infrastructure, intergenerational community hubs and neighbourhood resilience.
Why the model reads it this way: Ahmad proposes dedicated funding for public infrastructure and community hubs, indicating support for more capital investment without specifying a parks-and-recreation total.
Pete Fry · Green Party of Vancouver
Somewhat agree
The Vancouver Greens describe parks and recreation services as essential public services that must be supported as the city grows.
Why the model reads it this way: Treating parks and recreation as essential services indicates support for increased capital investment, although Fry has not published a specific total.
Rebecca Bligh · Vote Vancouver
Strongly agree
Deliver a 50-metre pool. Committing to pools at Sunset and Marpole Community Centres. ... Restoring full practical public access to Kitsilano Pool.
Confirmed by candidateConfirmed by Vote Vancouver via email on October 1, 2026
Supporting public source:Vote Vancouver — Policy Priorities (version 1.1) ↗
Scott Gilbert · Independent candidate
Neutral or mixed
Transit extensions and major recreation projects require credible costs, funding, alternatives and operating plans.
Confirmed by candidateConfirmed by candidate via email on October 2, 2026
Vancouver should build more public washrooms.
Amauri Caliman · Independent candidate
Strongly agree
I support a citywide network of accessible public washrooms with dependable hours, clear wayfinding and service levels based on demand. Public washrooms are basic civic infrastructure, particularly around parks, transit and busy commercial areas.
Confirmed by candidateConfirmed by candidate via email on September 30, 2026
Colleen Hardwick · TEAM for a Livable Vancouver
Somewhat agree
Pledges major capital investment in parks and recreation facilities.
Why the model reads it this way: A large parks-and-recreation capital plan makes additional washrooms plausible, but TEAM does not make a specific citywide washroom commitment in the reviewed material.
Kareem Allam · Vancouver Liberals
Strongly agree
...the Vancouver Liberals will also build new public washrooms across the city.
Published campaign materialKareem's Plan for a Better Vancouver ↗
Ken Sim · ABC Vancouver
Somewhat agree
Commits to major renewal of parks and community facilities across Vancouver.
Why the model reads it this way: Large public-facility investment makes additional washroom provision plausible, but the platform does not state a specific washroom commitment.
Muhammad Ahmad · Bright Future Vancouver
Somewhat agree
The Universal Care pillar includes accessible civic spaces and the plan funds neighbourhood infrastructure.
Why the model reads it this way: Accessible public-space and infrastructure commitments make more washrooms plausible, but the Blueprint does not specifically promise them.
Pete Fry · Green Party of Vancouver
Somewhat agree
The Green Park Board slate prioritizes accessible public spaces and increasing public washrooms and water fountains.
Why the model reads it this way: The party slate running with Fry expressly supports increasing public washrooms, providing strong party-level evidence for support.
Rebecca Bligh · Vote Vancouver
Somewhat agree
Building more public washrooms in and near: commercial districts, parks, the Downtown Eastside, community centres, pedestrian plazas, and other highuse public areas.
Confirmed by candidateConfirmed by Vote Vancouver via email on October 1, 2026
Supporting public source:Vote Vancouver — Policy Priorities (version 1.1) ↗
Scott Gilbert · Independent candidate
Strongly agree
Build more public washrooms: 5.
Confirmed by candidateConfirmed by candidate via email on October 2, 2026