This out today from the NPA, an announcement about two more park-board candidates. Now, the party needs to find more school-board candidates. At the moment, it doesn’t have enough to form a majority there, even if every one of its candidates was elected.

Vancouver — NPA Mayoral Candidate Suzanne Anton and the rest of the NPA team are welcoming two additional candidates to the NPA campaign: Gabby Kalaw and Jason Upton. Both are candidates for the Vancouver Park Board. Gabby Kalaw, a first generation Filipino-Canadian, has spent most of his life dedicated to community and recreation. In university, he volunteered and worked in a variety of roles with the City of Richmond Parks and Recreation. After university, he worked on development in Ghana and while there raised money to provide soccer balls for over 300 kids. Kalaw is a Business Development Manager for a local software firm. On his off time, he can be found training for the Vancouver Sun Run on the seawall, paddling in False Creek with one of the Dragon Boat teams or playing basketball or volleyball at one of the local Community Centres.  “I am excited to be joining the NPA team and look forward to channeling my experience into smart, resourceful management of the Vancouver Park Board,” said Kalaw. “We need to build an independent, accessible and enjoyable park system that everyone can be happy with.” Jason Upton is a lifetime resident of Vancouver and has worked in the Real Estate industry for over 18 years. His small business successfully weathered the 2008/09 economic crisis and he wants to bring this prudent financial management to the Park Board. The mismanagement of the Bloedel Conservatory and Stanley Park petting zoo highlighted the need for people who were passionate about preserving Vancouver’s park system. “Vision Vancouver has presided over the largest cuts in the Park Board’s history,” says Upton. “It’s time for change. The Park Board needs passionate, creative people so citizens and visitors can continue to enjoy our parks for generations to come.” The NPA Board of Directors unanimously approved both candidates.