Stuart Mackinnon is active in parks and green space issues, with a focus on access, preservation and conservation. He has sat on the boards of many non-profit organizations including Axis Theatre, the Wilderness Committee, Follow Dr. Norman Bethune to China, and SPEC (the Society Promoting Environmental Conservation).
From 2008-2011 Mackinnon was an elected Vancouver Park Board Commissioner representing the Green Party of Vancouver. He also has served as a Trustee of the Vancouver Public Library.
When he served as Green Park Board Commissioner from 2008-2011, Mackinnon earned a reputation as the most knowledgeable, well-prepared Park Commissioner – he attended Park Board meetings and paid close attention to Park Board issues for years before being elected.
Mackinnon has been a strong, consistent advocate for maintaining Vancouver’s parks and green spaces in pristine condition. Mackinnon will campaign for the same this fall.
"I want to return Vancouver to the beautiful city with well-maintained parks and gardens it once was. A city where everyone can play in their own neighbourhood, and where common sense and community values are what drive decision making,” says Mackinnon. "Park maintenance must be a priority. That is what we pay our taxes for."
Regarding last year’s controversy over Vision’s removal of community centre associations’ financial autonomy, Mackinnon says "Community centre associations are the heart of our neighbourhoods. They should be partners not adversaries."
Mackinnon teaches and is currently the Special Education Department Head and School Based Resource Teacher at Killarney Secondary in Vancouver.
In 2012 Mackinnon became a Governor of the VanDusen Botanical Garden Association, where he currently serves as the 2nd Vice-President.
Mackinnon lives, works and shops in the Fraserlands neighbourhood in Vancouver.
Facebook profile page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterparks/
Twitter handle: @betterparks
Website: betterparks.ca
