3 September 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Vancouver Liberals Announce Aviation Professional & Community Activist Amir Bajehkian as Candidate for Vancouver Park Board Commissioner
Amir Bajehkian joins Kareem Allam’s team to ensure a vibrant future for Vancouver’s parks and recreation facilities.
Vancouver, BC – The Vancouver Liberals are proud to announce that Amir Bajehkian will be running for Park Board Commissioner as part of Kareem Allam's Vancouver Liberals team. He believes his experience in advocating for and raising awareness among new Canadians and diverse communities will make him an effective Commissioner.
Prior to moving to Canada from Iran, Bajehkian was surrounded by politics, going back to his great grandfather, Ali Khan Eghbal-ol Mamalek, a member of Iran’s national parliament in the 1920s. He didn’t directly get involved in politics prior to moving to Canada, saying “I was an observant bystander. There was always this question in the back of my mind - what can I do about it? But in 2009, I realized that I have to actually take a step in.” It was in 2012 that he got involved with Canada’s NDP, supporting Nathan Cullen’s campaign as it emphasized the collaboration of progressive parties to protect our democracy. Bajehkian’s focus on democracy in Canada has since turned into working with new Canadians to strengthen their civic and community engagement, and raise their awareness about Canadian politics, electoral system, and history - including reconciliation with indigenous people.
Should Bajehkian be elected Park Board Commissioner, he has emphasized several priorities.
The Independence of the Park Board
Passion for supporting Canada’s democratic systems is part of his motivation to run for Park Board Commissioner. “Seeing Ken Sim trying to get rid of the democratically elected Park Board; it offended me to the core. That’s not democratic. That’s when I went to look for someone to actually fight back and that’s how I got to know Kareem Allam,” explained Bajehkian. He wants to protect the independence of the Park Board so that Vancouver’s residents will continue to have a say, and so that its operations and mandate aren’t needlessly encroached upon.
Improved Governance and Accountability
“Transparency, accountability, and integrity are front and center for me,” said Bajehkian. “We should not take peoples’ votes for granted.” The Vancouver Liberals are committed to being accountable to their voters, and this includes at the Park Board. Opaque processes and withheld information are reasons that someone might try to justify weakening the independence of the Park Board, and Bajehkian wants Vancouverites to see in action that the Park Board can be trusted to be independent.
Investment in the Future of Vancouver’s Parks
Bajehkian is a strong proponent of the Vancouver Liberals’ $1.35B Parks Plan which will significantly increase funding for the Park Board’s next budget cycle. Vancouver’s parks and recreation facilities are neglected and in some cases, closing entirely due to operational issues. Bajehkian believes Park Board infrastructure is a precious asset which must be managed, maintained, and upgraded judiciously so that existing and future residents can continue to enjoy them.
Vancouver’s parks will also inevitably be subjected to the effects of climate change, and Bajehkian wants the Park Board and City to take preparatory and preventive measures to mitigate any effects.
Media Contact:
Vancouver Liberals Communications