Mike Klassen
Vancouver City Councillor
Assumed office
November 7, 2022
Personal details
Born
Michael Aaron Klassen

1962
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Political partyABC Vancouver (municipal, 2022-present)
Other political
affiliations
Residence(s)Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Alma materUniversity of British Columbia

Mike Klassen is a Canadian politician and communications strategist who was elected to Vancouver City Council in the 2022 municipal election. He is a member of ABC Vancouver.

Early life and career

Klassen attended Killarney Secondary School in Vancouver and earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of British Columbia. He worked as a production assistant in Vancouver's film industry and as a digital producer at Electronic Arts.[1]

Prior to his election, Klassen served as British Columbia provincial director for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) and vice president of public affairs at the BC Care Providers Association.[2][3] As provincial director, Klassen led CFIB's response to several issues. Klassen criticized the provincial government for shifting the fee burden of recycling to businesses,[4] critiqued municipalities' spending on wages and benefits for public sector employees,[5] praised the City of Langford for eliminating annual business license fees,[6] and highlighted the need for a comprehensive plan for the province's reversion from the Harmonized Sales Tax.[7]

Vancouver municipal politics

From 2008 to 2012, Klassen wrote for CityCaucus.com, which he founded with Daniel Fontaine, now also a city councillor in New Westminster.

Under Sam Sullivan's mayoralty, Klassen served as vice chair of the Vancouver City Planning Commission.[1] Klassen previously ran for city council in 2011 with the conservative Non-Partisan Association (NPA). He placed 13th, receiving votes from 33% of voters.

In the 2022 municipal election, Klassen was elected to city council with the upstart ABC Vancouver, largely composed of former NPA members. After his election, he stated his main focus as councillor would be protecting seniors, especially after the 2021 heat dome. Klassen pledged action on a "no net new GHG" policy to aid Vancouver's climate change mitigation efforts.[8]

Klassen, previously executive director of the BC Wine Appellation Task Group, introduced a motion in April 2023 to expand the sale of wines in Vancouver grocery stores. The motion was approved unanimously.[9][10]

In May 2023, Klassen moved an amendment to a city staff report concerning the municipal vacancy tax, which had been raised from 3% to 5% by the previous council under mayor Kennedy Stewart. City staff recommended lowering the tax back to 3%, but $3.8 million had already been collected from property developers and was allocated for social housing. Klassen's amendment directed staff to return the funds to developers and was approved by the ABC council majority in an 8-3 vote.[11]

Klassen led a city-wide "Vancouver Beautification Day" in June 2023 to remove graffiti and repair vandalism in partnership with business improvement associations.[12]

Electoral history

2022 Vancouver municipal election: Vancouver City Council
Party Candidate Votes%Elected
ABC VancouverSarah Kirby-Yung (X)72,54542.30Green tickY
ABC VancouverLisa Dominato (X)70,41541.05Green tickY
ABC VancouverBrian Montague68,61840.01Green tickY
ABC VancouverMike Klassen65,58638.24Green tickY
ABC VancouverPeter Meiszner63,27536.90Green tickY
ABC VancouverRebecca Bligh (X)62,76536.60Green tickY
ABC VancouverLenny Zhou62,39336.39Green tickY
GreenAdriane Carr (X)41,83124.39Green tickY
OneCityChristine Boyle (X)38,46522.43Green tickY
GreenPete Fry (X)37,27021.73Green tickY

References

  1. 1 2 "Mike Klassen: Independent focus". Business in Vancouver. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  2. ↑ Mckenzie, Kevin Hinton & Ryan. "BCBusiness". BCBusiness. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  3. ↑ L, Jamie (2022-10-17). "Mike Klassen Elected to Vancouver City Council". BC Care Providers Association. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  4. ↑ "Recycling changes in B.C. continue to raise ire of businesses | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  5. ↑ Clarke, Katrina. "Canadian cities headed for financial crisis if they continue to overspend: report". National Post.
  6. ↑ "On the Street: Langford praised for licence decision". Times Colonist. 2013-10-26. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  7. ↑ "Official end of HST divides British Columbians". The Globe and Mail. 2013-03-31. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  8. ↑ "Meet Vancouver's four new city councillors". Vancouver Is Awesome. 2022-10-28. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  9. ↑ "Vancouver looking to expand wine sales in grocery stores | Dished". dailyhive.com. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  10. ↑ "CityNews". vancouver.citynews.ca. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  11. ↑ Fumano, Dan. "Dan Fumano: Vancouver council opts to return millions in taxes to developers". Vancouver Sun.
  12. ↑ "'Vancouver Beautification Day' tackles graffiti across the city". British Columbia. 2023-06-17. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
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