ABC Vancouver names two candidates for spring byelection

Mayor Ken Sim’s ABC Vancouver Party has announced its two candidates for this spring’s municipal byelection.

In a media event at False Creek Thursday, Sim presented Vancouver Police Sgt. Ralph Kaisers, and Jaime Stein, who ABC calls a leader in tech and a community and business advocate.

Sim says he believes in his party’s commitment to deliver for Vancouver.

“[Kaisers] is also the president of the Vancouver Police Union. Ralph received the Order of Merit from the Governor General for his dedication to public safety, and he has seen firsthand what it takes to make our city a safer place to be,” said Sim, flanked by five of his remaining city councillors.

“[Stein] has extensive experience in the tech community. And his volunteer work has focused on improving health outcomes, including Alzheimer’s research. He knows what it takes to have businesses and communities thrive, and he is known as a person who gets things done,” Sim added.

Both candidates noted the topic of public safety in their initial addresses. The party and Sim have made public safety through policing a campaign and policy focus, recently announcing a $5 million investment in a new police task force.

The municipal byelection follows OneCity Coun. Christine Boyle leaving council for a seat in the provincial legislature and the departure of Green Party Coun. Adriane Carr, who resigned in January, citing frustrations with Sim and the governing ABC Party.

Earlier this month, ABC announced it had asked Coun. Rebecca Bligh to leave the party.

“Mayor Ken Sim has abandoned the core principles that brought me to ABC in the first place, and while this was not my decision, I think it’s the right direction for me and for our city,” said Bligh last week.

In January, OneCity announced road safety advocate Lucy Maloney as its candidate for the election.

With files from Emma Crawford, Charlie Carey, and Ben Bouguerra.