VANCOUVER – The BC NDP’s candidate in Vancouver-Strathcona is Amanda Burrows.

Amanda Burrows is a community builder, renter and nonprofit leader who has lived and worked in Vancouver-Strathcona for more than a decade. As Executive Director of First United Church in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, she led a $94 million redevelopment delivering Indigenous social housing and space for frontline community services.

“Vancouver-Strathcona is my home, and for more than a decade I’ve worked alongside renters, workers, families and people living in poverty across this community,” said Burrows. “And we’re making progress. Thanks to our efforts to build homes and take on speculators, housing costs are beginning to come down. But there’s more work to do. We need a government that’s ready to stand up for BC, protect people and the services they count on, and build for the future. That’s the BC NDP.”

Burrows is running to succeed Vancouver-Strathcona MLA Amshen Joan Phillip, a beloved and longtime community advocate who dedicated her life to fighting for justice, human rights, and the environment. Joan passed away in August, and her legacy was honoured by community leaders from across the political spectrum, and from outside of politics. Amanda is proud to receive the endorsement of Grand Chief Stewart Phillip.

“Amanda is a champion for social, economic and environmental justice, a strong voice for reconciliation and for Vancouver-Strathcona neighbourhood people’s interests,” said Grand Chief Phillip. “Joan loved Amanda. And I know how much Amanda loved Joan, respected her leadership and valued the work they did alongside one another. Joan fought fiercely for the people of Vancouver-Strathcona, and Amanda understands the critical need to continue to carry that work forward. I am honoured to stand in support of Amanda Burrows. I know in my heart Joan would have wanted that.”

“Joan was an extraordinary leader, and her loss is deeply felt across our community. I feel incredibly grateful to have known her and to have witnessed the fierce love she had for her community and the people she served,” said Burrows. “I will carry what I learned from Joan with me, and I’m committed to continuing the work she cared so deeply about with humility, respect and a lot of heart.”

Throughout her career, Burrows has worked with communities to advance human rights, affordable housing and climate justice. She has advocated for stronger renter protections, a living wage and action on homelessness and the overdose crisis. A trusted voice in faith and civic circles, she brings people together to create change.

“Amanda has spent her career fighting for people and making sure they have what they need,” said David Eby, Leader of the BC NDP. “She is ready to stand up for people in Vancouver-Strathcona as we protect the things that matter and build a stronger province.

British Columbians go to the polls on October 24, 2026.

Amanda Burrows (headshot)
Amanda is a community builder who believes in the power of people to create change. As Executive Director of First United in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, she led a $94m redevelopment delivering Indigenous supportive housing and space for frontline services.
For decades, Amanda has worked alongside communities advancing human rights and climate justice, fighting for renters, and working on the frontlines of the homelessness and overdose crises. A trusted voice in faith and civic circles, she ran for Mayor of Vancouver on affordability, safety rooted in care, and a city where everyone belongs. She holds a master’s in museum studies from the University of Toronto and completed leadership training at the Harvard Kennedy School and London School of Economics.
Amanda is a renter in Chinatown in Vancouver-Strathcona, on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh. She believes change starts with listening to and learning from the people most affected.