Vancouver Greens on inclusive education, school food, mental health and student voice
The Green Party of Vancouver says its trustees would expand support for students with diverse learning needs, address a five-year fall in literacy and numeracy, grow school food programs, keep support for SOGI123, add trades and career pathways, and ask students for input before major decisions.
SCHOOL BOARD · PAGES 57 TO 60
Every Student Equipped to Learn: what the Platform 2026 says
The Green Party of Vancouver starts this part of its school platform from the idea that learning depends on more than lessons. The party lists hunger, accessibility, mental health, safety, belonging and access to support as things that shape how well a student can learn. Its first commitment is to students with diverse learning needs: educational assistants and support staff based on need, better access to buildings and learning materials, and a new look at the decisions that reduced vice-principals, music teachers and librarians. The party also says it would address a five-year downward trend in literacy and numeracy results, with a focus on grade 10.
On food, the Greens would expand nutritious school food programs, ask the Province and the federal government for stable funding, and support school gardens and composting. On health, they would ask for more counsellors and school-based mental health staff, work with health authorities, and give help early, before a student is in crisis. The platform says the party would continue support for SOGI123 so that students of all sexual orientations and gender identities feel safe, and would support English language learners, settlement workers in schools and newcomer families.
The last two sections look ahead. The Greens would expand climate learning within the provincial curriculum, build links to trades apprenticeships and to jobs in clean energy, construction and electrification, and support early learning programs such as Strong Start as well as adult education. They would ask students, especially those from underrepresented communities, for input before major decisions. The Board of Education runs these programs in Vancouver schools, while the Province sets the funding formula, so several items take the form of requests to other governments.
THE PARTY'S NUMBERS
Figures in this chapter
Length of the downward trend in literacy and numeracy proficiency that the party cites, particularly among grade 10 students
The party's figure, page 5733 COMMITMENTS
What the party says it would do
Support diverse learning needs and assess staff reductions
The Greens would give priority to adequate support for students with diverse learning needs. They would also assess the decisions that led to fewer vice-principals, music teachers and librarians.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board decides how staff and programs are spread across its schools.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 57
Seek funding for inclusive education
The party would ask the Province for funding that reflects the real cost of inclusive education.
- Who has the power
- Province School funding is set by the Province, so the board can only ask for it.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 57
Address falling literacy and numeracy
The Greens would address what they call a five-year downward trend in literacy and numeracy proficiency across every student group, particularly among grade 10 students.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board runs Vancouver public schools and sets its own policies, so it can act on this alone.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 57
Access to educational assistants based on need
The party would improve students' access to educational assistants and other support staff based on student need.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board hires support staff and decides where they work.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 57
Improve accessibility of schools and materials
The Greens would make school buildings, programs, communications and learning materials more accessible.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board runs Vancouver public schools and sets its own policies, so it can act on this alone.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 57
Identify gaps in participation
The party would find the gaps that keep students with accessibility or diverse learning needs from taking full part in school life.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board runs Vancouver public schools and sets its own policies, so it can act on this alone.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 57
Consider accessibility earlier
The Greens would include accessibility earlier in decisions on buildings, programs and policies.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board runs Vancouver public schools and sets its own policies, so it can act on this alone.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 57
Keep support steady between grades and schools
The party would work with families, students, educators and specialists so support continues as students move between grades and schools.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board runs Vancouver public schools and sets its own policies, so it can act on this alone.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 57
Expand school food programs
The Greens would expand access to nutritious school food programs.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board runs food programs in its own schools.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 58
Seek stable school food funding
The party would ask the Province and the federal government for stable school food funding.
- Who has the power
- Province The money would come from the Province and the federal government, so the board can only ask.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 58
Expand food programs with partners
The Greens would work with community organizations and other partners to expand food programs and cooking lessons.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board can make its own partnerships with community groups.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 58
Favour fresh and local food
The party would favour fresh, nutritious and locally produced food where practical and affordable.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board decides what its own food programs buy.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 58
Reduce food waste
The Greens would reduce avoidable food waste through food recovery and composting.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board runs Vancouver public schools and sets its own policies, so it can act on this alone.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 58
Food literacy and school gardens
The party would support school gardens and other hands-on ways for students to learn about food.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board runs Vancouver public schools and sets its own policies, so it can act on this alone.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 58
Seek more school-based mental health resources
The Greens would ask for more school-based mental health resources, including counsellors and support staff, to give students and families clearer paths to help.
- Who has the power
- Province The platform frames this as advocacy, and health funding is provincial, so the board can only ask.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 58
Partner with health authorities and service providers
The party would strengthen partnerships with health authorities, community organizations and service providers.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board can make partnerships, but health authorities are run by the Province.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 58
Support prevention and early help
The Greens would support prevention and early help so schools act before students reach a crisis.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board runs Vancouver public schools and sets its own policies, so it can act on this alone.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 58
Expand equity and belonging programs
The party would expand programs on equity, anti-oppression, belonging, social connection and resilience.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board runs Vancouver public schools and sets its own policies, so it can act on this alone.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 58
Continue support for SOGI123
The Greens would continue support for SOGI123 and make sure students of all sexual orientations and gender identities feel safe, supported and welcome in Vancouver schools.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board runs Vancouver public schools and sets its own policies, so it can act on this alone.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 58
Carry out the Accessibility Act
The party would continue carrying out the Accessibility Act by supporting the district's Accessibility Plan and Accessibility Committee and acting on the feedback received.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board runs its own accessibility plan and committee.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 59
Support language learners and newcomer families
The Greens would advocate to all levels of government for English language learners, Multicultural Liaison workers, Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) and family support programs. They would make sure the district works together to support new immigrant and refugee families.
- Who has the power
- Province The platform frames this as advocacy to all levels of government, so the board can only ask them; how the district works with newcomer families is its own choice.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 59
Coordinate education, health and social supports
The party would improve coordination between education, health and social supports where responsibilities overlap.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board can coordinate its own services, but health and social services belong to other governments.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 59
Safety policies that cover wellbeing
The Greens would make sure school safety policies reflect both physical safety and student wellbeing.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board runs Vancouver public schools and sets its own policies, so it can act on this alone.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 59
Expand climate and sustainability learning
The party would expand climate and sustainability learning in line with provincial curriculum requirements.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board chooses what its schools offer, within the provincial curriculum the platform refers to.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 59
Hands-on environmental learning
The Greens would support hands-on learning through school gardens, habitat restoration and other environmental projects.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board runs Vancouver public schools and sets its own policies, so it can act on this alone.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 59
Expand skilled-trades programs
The party would partner with trades organizations and expand skilled-trades programs and links to apprenticeship programs.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board chooses which programs and partnerships its schools offer.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 59
Build career pathways
The Greens would build stronger pathways into careers in clean energy, construction, electrification and other key sectors, and show students a wider range of career options.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board chooses which programs and partnerships its schools offer.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 59
Partner for learning outside the classroom
The party would partner with post-secondary institutions, employers and community groups to expand learning by doing (the PDF says 'experiential learning'). It would encourage local education programs that meet the needs of Vancouver students.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board can make its own partnerships with colleges, employers and community groups.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 59
Support learning from preschool to adult education
The Greens would work toward lifelong learning by supporting preschool programs such as Strong Start, Ready Set Learn and Welcome to Kindergarten, as well as adult education.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board runs Vancouver public schools and sets its own policies, so it can act on this alone.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 59
Seek student input before major decisions
The party would seek student input, especially from underrepresented communities, before major decisions on school life, buildings or programs.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board sets its own meeting rules, consultation and reporting, so it can do this itself.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 60
Let students speak directly to the Board
The Greens would give students more chances to speak directly to the Board on policies that affect them.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board sets its own meeting rules, consultation and reporting, so it can do this itself.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 60
Strengthen student leadership
The party would encourage schools to strengthen student leadership and democratic participation.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board runs Vancouver public schools and sets its own policies, so it can act on this alone.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 60
Widen access to extracurricular activities
The Greens would widen fair access to extracurricular, leadership, arts, sports and enrichment activities.
- Who has the power
- School Board The board runs Vancouver public schools and sets its own policies, so it can act on this alone.
- Source
- Platform 2026, page 60
WHO WOULD HAVE TO ACT
Where the power sits for this chapter
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Questions about every student equipped to learn
What does the Green Party of Vancouver plan for students with special needs?
The Green Party of Vancouver would put adequate support for students with diverse learning needs first and give access to educational assistants and support staff based on student need. It would also ask the Province for funding that reflects the real cost of inclusive education (platform, page 57).
What would the Vancouver Greens do about falling literacy and numeracy scores?
The Greens say they would address the five-year downward trend in literacy and numeracy proficiency across every student group, particularly among grade 10 students. In the same section the party says it would assess the decisions that led to fewer vice-principals, music teachers and librarians (platform, page 57).
Does the Green Party of Vancouver support school food programs?
Yes. The Green Party of Vancouver would expand nutritious school food programs, favour fresh and locally produced food where practical and affordable, and ask the Province and the federal government for stable school food funding (platform, page 58).
Do the Vancouver Greens support SOGI 123 in schools?
Yes. The Greens say they would continue support for SOGI123 and make sure students of all sexual orientations and gender identities feel safe, supported and welcome in Vancouver schools (platform, page 58).
What would the Greens do for student mental health in Vancouver schools?
The Green Party of Vancouver would ask for more school-based mental health resources, including counsellors and support staff, and work with health authorities and community groups. It would support prevention and early help before students reach a crisis (platform, page 58).
Would the Green Party of Vancouver add trades programs in high schools?
The Greens would partner with trades organizations, expand skilled-trades programs and links to apprenticeships, and build pathways into careers in clean energy, construction and electrification (platform, page 59).
Can the Vancouver School Board pay for these student supports on its own?
Partly. The Board of Education approves the district budget and decides which programs its schools run, but the Province sets the funding formula. That is why the Green Party of Vancouver asks the Province, and for school food the federal government too, for stable funding (platform, pages 57 and 58).
How would the Vancouver Greens give students a say in school decisions?
The Greens would seek student input, especially from underrepresented communities, before major decisions on school life, buildings or programs, and give students more chances to speak directly to the Board (platform, page 60).
ON THE BALLOT
The Green Party of Vancouver candidates behind this
Sources
Every commitment on this page comes from the party's own material, marked SAYS SO ITSELF. It proves what the party says it would do. Who holds each power is our own addition, from the sources listed after it.
- Platform 2026, Green Party of Vancouver (72-page PDF, last updated September 29, 2026) SAYS SO ITSELFGreen Party of Vancouver · pages 57 to 60 · published · checked