Mike Klassen
Councillor
Vice President, BC Care Providers Association (2016-present)
President, Performing Arts Lodge (2012-2021) Director, Small Business Roundtable (2013-2014) Vice Chair, Vancouver City Planning Commission (2007-2008)
“We need to elect and support councillors that can deliver. Whether it’s getting housing built or showcasing our city to the world, I bring a track record of getting things done. We have big challenges ahead of us but by working together, we can, and will, be excited about the future of our city once again.”
“I’m excited to be have joined a team that is bringing leadership back to City Hall and is focusing on building a better future for our city.”
Mike Klassen brings two decades of experience as a community organizer in the Fraser Street neighbourhood and many years of executive leadership in the non-profit sector. He was also a civic affairs columnist with Vancouver Courier newspaper until 2020.
He currently works as Vice President, Public Affairs for BC Care Providers Association where at the start of the pandemic, Mike was elevated to Acting CEO at the height of the biggest crisis in the continuing care sector’s history. Mike championed initiatives to ensure families could visit and care for loved ones during the COVID pandemic, as well as for increasing public access to rapid test kits. Mike firmly believes that supporting older adults in our community is critical when our population is aging.
Mike served as President of the board of directors for PAL (Performing Arts Lodge) Vancouver, a unique social housing organization that supports our local creative and performing arts community. In 2019, his efforts to increase the amount of affordable housing for arts and entertainment professionals resulted in the ground-breaking of a new 8-storey 66-unit apartment building now under construction.
Mike’s past roles include serving as Vice Chair of the Vancouver City Planning Commission, Vice Chair for DOXA Documentary Festival board, and a director on the B.C. Small Business Roundtable.
As the Executive Director of the Appellation Task Group, Mike led a province-wide industry consultation that led to significant regulatory reforms to grow B.C.’s successful wine and grape growing sector.
Mike was recognized by Vancouver Sun business columnist Don Cayo for excellence in small business advocacy, citing his ‘clear and credible’ campaign leading a nine-member business coalition. He was later recognized with an award for his leadership in that coalition.
During the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, Mike co-founded an online free events guide that attracted 2.5 million web hits. Mike was lauded by the Provincial cabinet minister responsible for his work to promote community events during the Olympics.
Mike is a UBC graduate (Bachelor of Arts studying English literature and political science), as well as being an avid running and fitness enthusiast. Mike is a father of one and lives with his wife in the Fraser Street community.
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ABC proactively seeks to support and elevate those from traditionally marginalized and underrepresented communities including women, members of the 2SLGBTQAI+ community, indigenous persons, racialized persons, persons living with a disability, immigrants, and those who experience or have experienced economic hardship.
Authorized by the Financial Agent for ABC Vancouver -- A Better City.