Darren Boidman
Climate Change, Heat, Fires, & the Environment
Local Government, Planning, & Democracy
Budgeting
Liberal promises
Cancel Ken Sim's $800-million Second City Hall and reinvest the money in services that matter, like pools and parks.
Shift spending from managers to front-line services by hiring 400 new unionized workers for garbage pickup, roads, parks, and libraries.
Ban foreign travel for councillors and City staff.
Call for an independent Auditor General investigation into the failed $600-million Art Gallery project and all related spending.
Good Governance
Liberal promises
Create a City of Vancouver Lobbyist Registry, like the ones our federal and provincial governments already have.
Reduce Freedom of Information fees so the public can see what City Hall is doing with their tax dollars.
Launch an independent external review of the Integrity Commissioner's office and strengthen the Code of Conduct for elected officials.
Require politicians to disclose their cryptocurrency holdings and accounts along with their other financial interests.
Public Engagement
Liberal promises
Convene a citizens' assembly to study a ward system for Vancouver, with its recommendations going to a public referendum.
Mental Health, Drugs, & Addiction
Mental Health Crisis Response
Darren Boidman's promises
We certainly need to be putting more resources into Mental Health
We will certainly be supportive with all stakeholders to bring attention to the Mental Health Crisis in Vancouver
We will certainly be supportive with all stakeholders to bring attention to the Mental Health Crisis in Vancouver
Mental Health in Schools
Darren Boidman's promises
We need to make sure the requisite services and staff are there for children in Need of such services or help
We need to make sure the requisite services and staff are there for children in Need of such services or help
Public Safety & Policing
Police in Schools
Darren Boidman's promises
We will continue supporting the SCHOOL LIASON OFFICER program.
Support safe and welcoming schools for every student, including an effective School Liason Officer Program.
Liberal promises
Keep the School Liaison Officer Program so schools remain safe, welcoming places where students can learn and thrive.
Upstream Causes of Crime
Darren Boidman's promises
The income disparity in Vancouver is certainly adding to the stress and people needing to resort to crime to get by.
The income disparity in Vancouver is certainly adding to the stress and people needing to resort to crime to get by.
Liberal promises
Crack down on the Bitcoin ATMs and money laundering that fuel the toxic drug trade, organized crime, and street-level disorder.
Ken Sim's approach to safety amounts to "give the police whatever they ask for." While we support our men and women in uniform, this approach isn't working. Crime thrives when there is money to be made, and the spread of Bitcoin ATMs across our city is enabling the toxic drug trade and the violence that comes with it. Ken Sim has promoted Bitcoin at every opportunity, calling it his "hill to die on," while organized crime thrives here. We will go after the root causes of crime through smart, well-considered policy that actually makes our streets safer.
Phase out unregulated currency exchanges and replace payday loan shops with trusted institutions like Pigeon Park Savings.
Reconciliation & Indigenous Nations
Schools & Public Education
Artificial Intelligence in Schools
Darren Boidman's promises
Generative AI is here to stay, and trying to keep it out of our schools would leave students unprepared for the world they are entering.
Students must also learn to recognize inaccurate information, bias and fabricated content. We should neither embrace AI without safeguards nor pretend we can ban it out of existence.
Liberal promises
Align with the Province and the BC Teachers' Federation on giving students AI chatbot accounts, with ethics and oversight built in.
Bullying & Bigotry
Darren Boidman's promises
There is no room in our schools for any of this. Schools should be safe and inclusive.
We plan to enhance the SLO programs in schools
Indigenous Schooling
Darren Boidman's promise
The History of Indigenous peoples should be learned and celebrated in the VSB curriculum.
Media Literacy & Critical Thinking
Darren Boidman's promise
Our responsibility is to teach students how to use AI ethically and effectively while ensuring they can still think independently, question what they are given and contribute ideas of their own.
Neurodivergent Students & Support
Darren Boidman's promise
We need to make sure that the students get the assistance they should get.
Police in Schools
Darren Boidman's promises
We will continue supporting the SCHOOL LIASON OFFICER program.
Support safe and welcoming schools for every student, including an effective School Liason Officer Program.
Liberal promises
Keep the School Liaison Officer Program so schools remain safe, welcoming places where students can learn and thrive.
Student Involvement & Engagement
Darren Boidman's promise
We want to encourage Student Involvement, engagement and participation in their schooling.
Biography
submitted by the candidate or their team
Darren Boidman is a Vancouver business owner and talent manager with 30 years of experience. With degrees from McGill and an MBA in Finance, he brings strong financial oversight, practical leadership and a commitment to protecting arts education in Vancouver schools.
Reason for running
submitted by the candidate or their team
I'm running to bring practical business experience, strong financial oversight and accountability to the VSB. I want to protect arts education, ensure our schools are safe and ionclusive, expand childcare options for families and make sure resources reach students and classrooms.
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