Mike Klassen

Klassen attended Killarney Secondary School in Vancouver and earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of British Columbia. He worked as a production assistant in Vancouver's film industry and as a digital producer at Electronic Arts.[1]

Prior to his election, Klassen served as British Columbia provincial director for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) and vice president of public affairs at the BC Care Providers Association.[2][3] As provincial director, Klassen led CFIB's response to several issues. Klassen criticized the provincial government for shifting the fee burden of recycling to businesses,[4] critiqued municipalities' spending on wages and benefits for public sector employees,[5] praised the City of Langford for eliminating annual business license fees,[6] and highlighted the need for a comprehensive plan for the province's reversion from the Harmonized Sales Tax.[7]

From 2008 to 2012, Klassen wrote for CityCaucus.com, which he founded with Daniel Fontaine, now also a city councillor in New Westminster.

Under Sam Sullivan's mayoralty, Klassen served as vice chair of the Vancouver City Planning Commission.[1] Klassen previously ran for city council in 2011 with the conservative Non-Partisan Association (NPA). He placed 13th, receiving votes from 33% of voters.

In the 2022 municipal election, Klassen was elected to city council with the upstart ABC Vancouver, largely composed of former NPA members. After his election, he stated his main focus as councillor would be protecting seniors, especially after the 2021 heat dome. Klassen pledged action on a "no net new GHG" policy to aid Vancouver's climate change mitigation efforts.[8]

Klassen, previously executive director of the BC Wine Appellation Task Group, introduced a motion in April 2023 to expand the sale of wines in Vancouver grocery stores. The motion was approved unanimously.[9][10]

In May 2023, Klassen moved an amendment to a city staff report concerning the municipal vacancy tax, which had been raised from 3% to 5% by the previous council under mayor Kennedy Stewart. City staff recommended lowering the tax back to 3%, but $3.8 million had already been collected from property developers and was allocated for social housing. Klassen's amendment directed staff to return the funds to developers and was approved by the ABC council majority in an 8-3 vote.[11]

Klassen led a city-wide "Vancouver Beautification Day" in June 2023 to remove graffiti and repair vandalism in partnership with business improvement associations.[12]