Vancouver Liberals add three candidates as party pivots left

The Vancouver Liberals have announced three new candidates for the October 2026 civic election, continuing their pivot from centrist positioning toward a broader "big tent" that includes left-wing voices.

The recruits are Mark Halyk, a former Vancouver Park Board manager laid off in January after 12 years; Shayla Bird, a teacher, entrepreneur, and public historian; and Armor Valor, who recently crossed over from OneCity Vancouver.

Halyk, a trained chef and former catering owner, ran the Park Board's food and beverage operations. He was forced out during mayor Ken Sim's budget cuts and has argued that uncertainty about the Park Board's future has hampered staff initiatives. He says he's interested in improving revenue generation through Park Board food operations.

"I'm immensely proud of the work I was able to do at the Park Board in making our food operations and sourcing strategy profitable and hyperlocal," Halyk said. "It's work like that I would love to continue to champion with the Vancouver Liberals as a Park Board Commissioner."

Bird aims to focus on recreation access and community development. She helped develop B.C. Ministry of Education teaching materials about Hogan's Alley and racial discrimination.

Valor, a trained chef working at BC Children's Hospital and BC Women's Hospital, was shortlisted by OneCity but didn't make their final four City Council candidates. He's served as head chef at Indochine Kitchen+Bar and owned the take-out restaurant KaonTa Chicken.

The Liberals now have 10 candidates announced, including mayoral hopeful Kareem Allam (former campaign manager for Sim) and former BC cabinet minister Moira Stilwell. The party has positioned itself as representing both progressive and centrist values, drawing defectors from ABC Vancouver who disagree with the party's stance on the separately elected Park Board.