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They may still in the future!
In the meantime, you can learn more about them on their website.
Biography
Sara Eftkehar is a Nurse Practitioner, mother, and Health Equity Advocate with a strong commitment to social justice and community well-being. Originally from Iran, she immigrated to the unceded territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Nation) at the age of eight. Growing up on the North Shore, she became an active volunteer, setting the foundation for her future endeavors.
Sara’s nursing career has focused on women’s health and research, including Canada’s first study on a health promotion program for survivors of intimate partner violence. Her work in a rural Indigenous community and with refugees in Egypt reflects her dedication to health equity. As a Nurse Practitioner, she has advocated for systemic change, championing policies like free prescription contraception and paid leave for survivors of Gender-Based Violence. Sara played a key role in establishing forensic nursing services at Lions Gate Hospital and has contributed to various initiatives to raise awareness about healthcare barriers and improve services for women experiencing intimate partner violence.
Her leadership has been recognized with awards such as the YWCA Young Woman of Distinction Award, RBC's Top 25 Immigrants of Canada Award, and the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal. Sara holds degrees in nursing and a Master of Arts in Peace, Conflict, and Development as a Rotary Peace Fellow. Her advocacy has garnered media attention, with appearances on CBC and CTV news.
In addition to her professional achievements, Sara serves as an elected Vancouver Councillor for Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of BC (NNPBC), a Board Member of North Shore Community Resources, and a member of the North Shore Coordinating Committee to End Violence Against Women. She is also an Honorary Governors Council member at the Vancouver Foundation and an advisor on the Child Care Action Board at the City of West Vancouver. Sara’s extensive contributions exemplify her dedication to creating a more just and compassionate society.
Reason for running
Politics was never a path I expected to take. My journey began in healthcare, where I have had the privilege of working with a wide array of communities, from the North Shore, to Indigenous communities, the Downtown Eastside, and even leading initiatives at British Columbia’s first COVID-19 testing site during the pandemic. My commitment to taking care of people is at the core of who I am, but over the years, I’ve seen firsthand how our healthcare system—and many of our broader societal systems—need transformative change.
On the front lines of healthcare, I’ve treated patients dealing with issues far beyond physical health: poverty, housing insecurity, and lack of access to services. I’ve seen firsthand how policy decisions affect lives. While I have always been committed to helping my patients, it became clear that I couldn’t address systemic issues from the clinic alone.
My desire to create meaningful change on a broader level led me to advocacy. Through my various positions such as the Vancouver Councillor for Nurses and Nurse Practitioners of BC, I’ve been a staunch advocate for increased access to healthcare and health care systems change such as improving nursing retention/recruitment. I have worked tirelessly to advance free prescription contraception and establish gender-based violence projects on the North Shore. I've also played a crucial role in setting up forensic nursing services at Lions Gate Hospital, ensuring survivors of violence receive the specialized care they need.
But advocacy alone isn’t enough. What I’ve learned is that we need more than just voices calling for change—we need a government that will take action. That’s why I’m running with the BC NDP in the upcoming provincial election. The BC NDP has shown that it’s willing to take bold steps on critical issues like healthcare, affordability, and housing.
saraeftekhar.bcndp.ca saraeftekhar.bcndp.ca