After a period of internal conflict, the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation has taken a significant step by voting to request a legal opinion regarding the potential disqualification of one of its commissioners due to consistent absence from meetings.
The decision came following a motion presented by Park Board Commissioner Brennan Bastyovanszky, who highlighted that Commissioner Marie-Claire Howard has been absent from six out of the 10 scheduled meetings this year. Bastyovanszky pointed out that missing three consecutive meetings brings Howard close to the disqualification threshold.
In his motion, Bastyovanszky emphasized Howard’s repeated absenteeism, lack of transparency, and failure to meet obligations outlined in the Vancouver Charter. He expressed concerns about her suitability to hold public office, stressing the importance of active participation in meetings.
During discussions, Bastyovanszky emphasized the value of having all commissioners present at meetings in person, underlining the collaborative nature of their roles.
Howard, a member of the ABC Party on the city council led by Mayor Ken Sim, has faced criticism for her frequent absences. The ABC Party has been advocating for the dissolution of the Park Board.
In a show of support, fellow ABC Commissioner Jas Virdi defended Howard, citing her recent trip to France following her mother’s passing. He questioned the motives behind the motion, suggesting that the issue could have been handled internally rather than through public scrutiny.
The board ultimately decided to seek legal advice to determine if Howard’s repeated absences violate the Vancouver Charter.
1130 NewsRadio has reached out to Howard for her response to this development.