Vancouver mayoral candidate Patrick Condon withdraws from race after stroke

Patrick Condon (Facebook)

After announcing about a month ago that he was planning to run for mayor in this fall’s municipal election in Vancouver, Patrick Condon is now pulling out of the race, after suffering a stroke this week.

Condon, who said he planned to seek the nomination of Coalition of Progressive Electors (COPE) as their mayoral candidate at a meeting next month, said that is no longer the case.

“On Tuesday, I was hospitalized with a stroke while visiting the United States,” he said in statement. “I have been advised by doctors that I need to concentrate my efforts fully on recovery.”

Condon said the last few weeks of working with COPE’s volunteers, team members, and a “terrific and dedicated slate” of council candidates have been an “incredible and rewarding” experience.

However, “because I’m not able to dedicate my full capability to the party as it readies itself for the upcoming election, I must end my nomination campaign as a mayoral candidate for COPE,” he said.

Patrick’s full statement is below:

About a month ago, I announced my intention to seek COPE’s mayoral candidacy at the August 19th nomination meeting. I felt that my background in academic research, especially my hands-on experience in my work with other jurisdictions on affordable housing projects and in affordable and efficient public transit systems, was a very good fit with a party whose 50-year history for seeking a just and sustainable city, closely mirrored my own values.

The last few weeks of working with our committed volunteers, team members, and a terrific and dedicated slate of council candidates, Jean Swanson, Anne Roberts, and Derrick O’Keefe, have been an incredible and rewarding experience for me. However, today I regretfully announce that I am leaving the race, effective immediately. On Tuesday, I was hospitalized with a stroke while visiting the United States. I have been advised by doctors that I need to concentrate my efforts fully on recovery.

Therefore, because I’m not able to dedicate my full capability to the party as it readies itself for the upcoming election, I must end my nomination campaign as a mayoral candidate for COPE. It is my hope that voters support the Council, School Board, and Parks Board candidates under the banners of COPE and Green party in the general election on October 20th.

More than ever, Vancouver needs a real change of civic leadership to address the pressing issues that face our city. Vancouver needs real affordable housing for the most vulnerable, for working people and for young people and seniors —clearly, they are amongst the forgotten when it comes to our current crop of politicians. A renewed effort to enable a true City Plan with neighbourhood collaboration will help accomplish these objectives, while providing surety for both citizens and developers. We need far better ways for our City Hall to work in partnership with citizens as we promote healthy neighbourhoods and vibrant communities. The market cannot solve the housing crisis. We need a huge rethinking, and the development of at least 50% non-market housing should be called for in this election. We CAN do better. We MUST do better.

I look forward to making a full recovery. I am determined to keep speaking out and will lend support to see that these objectives become reality in the city of Vancouver.

Finally, I’d like to acknowledge and thank all the wonderful volunteers, advisors, and supporters who have believed in what I have stood up for, for decades—a Vancouver that is just, fair, and affordable for all its citizens.

Vancouverites head to the polls on Saturday, October 20.

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