COPE is fighting for public education.
You shouldn’t have to be super-rich to raise a family in Vancouver. Our public schools are being starved of the stable funding they need. But Vancouver doesn’t have to be this way. We can fight back.
On October 17th, vote Suzie Mah and the COPE team for School Board.
Suzie Mah
For School Board Trustee
Suzie Mah is fighting for an education system where everyone has the ability to raise a family in this city and has the right to the best educational experiences.
A retired teacher and union organizer of over 30 years, Suzie has taught every grade from Kindergarten to Grade 12, including non-graduated adults. She knows what our students need and understands our system.
As COPE's VSB Trustee since 2022, Suzie has held the line and fought back against ABC's callous agenda – and won for students. Since being elected, she has helped win life-saving defibrillators in schools, saved school meal programs threatened by cuts, led the fight for free transit for teens, and she's opposed ABC's war on democracy and their handouts of city land to private developers every step of the way.
Derrick O’Keefe
For School Board Trustee
Derrick O'Keefe is fighting for fully funded and high quality education for all students – regardless of learning needs. As a parent of two school-aged kids, he has seen up-close how the system is failing under Ken Sim and ABC’s cuts.
Bringing his experience in advocacy for public education and his work as a journalist and writer, Derrick will fight for the needs of the many ahead of the wealthy few. He understands that in order to empower the next generation to fight for their communities, we need universal meal programs, affordable and accessible childcare, and public land that is used for the public benefit.
Melanie Cheng
For School Board Trustee
Melanie Cheng has seen first-hand the need for transparent, accountable decision-making grounded in the needs of students and school communities.
A mom of three teenagers and a senior paralegal, Melanie has used her background in law and governance to advocate for students and families in education over the past ten years.
As Former Chair of the Vancouver District Parent Advisory Council and a leader against school land sell-offs under ABC, Melanie has fought hard to protect public school land, strengthen parent voice, and push for transparency and accountability in decision-making. She is ready to bring this experience and continue this work as a School Board Trustee.
Gwen Giesbrecht
For School Board Trustee
Gwen Giesbrecht understands that public education is a public good. While provincial dollars go to private schools, our public schools are being starved of the stable funding they need.
As the former Chair of the Vancouver District Parent Advisory Committee and a former Park Board Commissioner with COPE, Gwen has the experience and integrity to fight for families, students, and teachers on the Vancouver School Board.
Gwen will fight to use public land for community good, not subsidise budget shortfalls, and for every student to have access to school meal programs.
Vancouver doesn’t have to be this way.
This October, we can elect a School Board that works for people instead of the billionaires.
COPE is the real alternative to Ken Sim and ABC.
We got this.