VANCOUVER, B.C. – Green Party of Vancouver Candidate for Park Board, Zahra Esmail, has stepped down as a candidate in the upcoming municipal election due to a potential conflict of interest arising from her position as Chair of BC’s Poverty Reduction Advisory Committee (PRAC).

Zahra Esmail was informed that the Province’s Crown Agencies and Board Resourcing Office advised the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction that potential conflicts were identified if she were to concurrently hold the role of Vancouver Park Board Commissioner and Chair of BC’s PRAC.

As a result, Zahra Esmail informed the Green Party of Vancouver Board and candidates that she had made the difficult decision to withdraw as a Green candidate for Park Board.

“I was hoping to make a positive impact on the Park Board by employing my experience with community development, but my work on BC’s Poverty Reduction Advisory Committee is my top priority right now,” said Zahra. “I appreciate the confidence of the Green Party of Vancouver’s membership and wish the other candidates all the best in the upcoming election.”

The Green Party of Vancouver fully supports Zahra Esmail’s decision and the important work she is doing on BC’s PRAC. 

“We wish Zahra all the best in her role as Chair of PRAC” said Priyan Samarakoone, Co-Chair of the Green Party of Vancouver. “We are disappointed to lose such an incredible candidate, but we appreciate the critical work she is doing for the people of our Province and we are grateful that she chose the Green Party for her first run in municipal politics.”

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