BC NDP

MLA for Vancouver-West End

Spencer Herbert was first elected in a by-election on October 29, 2008. He was re-elected on May 12, 2009.

He is currently critic for Tourism, Culture and the Arts.

Spencer has been involved in building community and finding solutions all his life. Some of his notable achievements include:

Vancouver Park Board Commissioner from 2005 to 2008: Spencer oversaw a budget of over $90 million, more than 220 parks, 23 community and recreation centres, and took the lead on key environmental, social, and cultural initiatives.

While an opposition member of the Parks Board, Spencer was an environmental leader who:

• Initiated the first of many fundraising drives for the restoration of Stanley Park just days after devastating storms in 2006. Stanley Park fundraising has raised over $9 million so far.
• Helped make the Vancouver Parks Board North America's first level of government to serve only sustainably caught seafood.
• Successfully led the charge to defeat the installation of robotic dinosaurs in Stanley Park and increased the number of bike paths in the park.
• Proposed the Parks Board devise a plan to become carbon neutral, develop a sustainable purchasing policy and institute a 'no net loss of park land' policy.
• Worked closely with the Stanley Park Ecology Society, and the Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre as their liaison. 
• Was instrumental in the re-development of Nelson Park in the West End, and worked hard on the expansion of Emery Barnes Park in Yaletown.

Spencer is also an avid baseball player, keen environmentalist and community gardener. Spencer lives in the West End with his partner Romi Chandra.

Spencer is an award winning artist who helps create community through art. 
As an artist he has worked with:

• The Public Dreams Society - on large scale community celebrations
• Vancouver Coastal Health's Addictions Services, and the LGBT Centre to develop theatre with students, and youth about drug abuse, homophobia, and how to change the situation which premiered at the Coal Harbour Community Centre.
• Judith Marcuse Productions on a large scale performance about violence amongst youth called fire...where there's smoke that went on to tour Canada, and received numerous responses from youth thanking the production for leading to a stop of violence in their lives.

Spencer has been co-awarded two Jessie Richardson Theatre awards (Vancouver's version of the Tony's) for his contributions to the wider community.

Spencer is currently a member of the Alliance for Arts and Culture's Advocacy Committee.

Contact Information:

Spencer.Herbert.MLA@leg.bc.ca

Constituency Office:
923 Denman Street
Vancouver, BC
V6G 2L9
Phone 604-660-7307