Taleeb Noormohamed withdraws from Vancouver mayoral race after ‘sudden cardiac event’
After officially announcing his plan to run for Mayor of Vancouver just over a week ago, tech entrepreneur Taleeb Noormohamed announced today he’s pulling out of the Vancouver Mayoral race.
Noormohamed had planned to run with Vision Vancouver, citing the party’s history “in terms of setting the city on a trajectory of success.”
Noormohamed has served as Chief Growth Officer of Farfetch, VP at HomeAway.com, President and CEO of Serebra.
He was VP of Strategy and Partnerships of VANOC for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and unsuccessfully ran for MP of North Vancouver in the 2011 federal election under the Liberal Party.
Noormohamed’s full statement is below:
I began my official journey to seek the office of the Mayor of Vancouver under the Vision banner just 8 days ago. We did so with great hope for the future of Vancouver, and with a strong vision to build a truly great city for everyone who lives here.
Over the last week, I have been amazed at the incredible support and excitement so many across our city have shared with us, and am overwhelmed by the number of people who have joined us on this journey.
Today, I maintain that hope, but it is with difficulty and disappointment that I announce I must leave the race. Yesterday, I was hospitalized following a sudden cardiac event. Doctors have advised me that rest, monitoring, and follow-up are required. I will be taking their advice. While I am passionately committed to this race and to the type of city we can be, my health must come first.
Because of this, I am not able to give the campaign the full effort that it requires and that my supporters and volunteers deserve. It is with great disappointment that I am therefore making the difficult decision to end this nomination campaign.
I was inspired to seek the mayoral nomination because I believe in the great potential of our city, but also because Vision Vancouver is the kind of welcoming, progressive, and forward looking political party that Vancouver needs.
I continue to believe Vancouver needs to bring forward world class solutions for housing and infrastructure that build strong, intergenerational communities; that we need to build strong support for arts and culture; that we embrace and support innovation and sustainability, and that we continue to work hard to support those who need a hand up to achieve their dreams, and that we never forget that what makes us great is the diversity and potential of our people.
As I exit the race, Ian Campbell will likely become the Vision nominee and have the opportunity to be Vancouver’s first indigenous mayor. I wish Ian all the best in his campaign ahead and pledge my continued commitment to a city with inclusive, forward looking values where all of us belong.
Thank you to all my volunteers, supporters, donors, advisors. I am ever grateful for your support, and for the trust and confidence you placed in me. Our work does not stop here, and I look forward to continuing to do my part to make this city one of the best in the world for all of us.
Vision Vancouver responds
While they said his announcement was “disappointing news,” Vision Vancouver’s board of directors said it “deeply respects Taleeb’s personal decision, and wishes him a fast recovery and ongoing good health.”
Decisions like this “are never easy,” said Vision in a statement.
During Noormohamed’s short time in the mayoral race, Vision said, “his passion and commitment to Vision and to Vancouver was clear. His campaign advanced new ideas, and encouraged and facilitated a healthy conversation about a future of our city that is inclusive, sustainable and affordable.”
Vision added that it looks forward to continuing to work with Noormohamed as we move towards the fall election.
Vision Vancouver will hold its nomination vote meeting to decide the party’s mayoral candidate on Sunday, June 24.
Squamish hereditary Chief Ian Campbell is amongst those in contention.