I’m Derrick O’Keefe, and I’m running for School Board with the Coalition of Progressive Electors to fight for our kids, to fight for parents, and to fight for all the education workers doing their best with limited resources.

I’m running to close the gap between rich and poor, to close the gap between funding for elite private schools and the public system we all depend on, and to close the gap between the inadequate schools we have and the beautiful, functional, well-resourced schools we need and deserve.

I’m a parent of two school-aged kids, a renter, a union member, a community volunteer, a writer and researcher, and a life-long social justice advocate. For nearly 30 years I’ve been fighting to protect the public good in Vancouver against the unfair system that puts the greed of the few above the needs of the many.

I have a degree in Education from the University of British Columbia and have worked on curriculum development for K-12 and post-secondary institutions. I’m currently the administrator for a Vancouver-based non-profit and also working as a writer, editor, and researcher. I have written and edited a number of non-fiction books, including co-writing the memoir of Afghan women's rights activist Malalai Joya. I was a nominee at this year's Canadian Screen Awards for my research work on the documentary 'The Good Canadian.'

As a School Trustee I will insist on fully-funded and safe schools, equipped with all the support and opportunities our kids need and deserve. And I will make sure we don’t allow any more giveaways of public land to real estate speculators and the billionaire class.

Last year’s selloff of the basketball courts at Fleming Elementary in East Vancouver was outrageous, and led to my deeper engagement on School Board issues. It’s absolutely essential that we elect representatives who will make it clear to real estate speculators and profiteers that Vancouver is not for sale.