# Vancouver votes AI out of schools ![[city-hall.png]] On October 17, Vancouverites showed that AI is not "inevitable". They voted for candidates who support a pause on AI, or a reduction on its use in classrooms. According to the [unofficial results that will be confirmed on October 21](https://vancouver.ca/news-calendar/unofficial-2026-vancouver-election-results-oct-2026.aspx), the elected school board trustees are: | Candidate | Party | Stance | | --- | --- | --- | | MAH, Suzie | COPE | ✅ Supports pause on AI | | CHENG, Melanie | COPE | ✅ Supports pause on AI | | GIESBRECHT, Gwen | COPE | ✅ Supports pause on AI | | O’KEEFE, Derrick | COPE | ✅ Supports pause on AI | | STRILESKY, Julie | GREEN | ✅ Supports pause on AI | | MASONGSONG, Alisha | GREEN | ✅ Supports pause on AI | | SIGURDSON, Krista | OneCity | ⚠️ Supports some reductions on AI in classrooms | | BROWN, Rory | OneCity | ⚠️ Supports some reductions on AI in classrooms | | CARDWELL, Steve | OneCity | ⚠️ Supports some reductions on AI in classrooms | We want to say a huge thank you to the candidates for supporting classrooms where students education is prioritised over the tech hype. Also a huge thank you to everyone who voted! What we are seeing in Vancouver is not an outlier. It is part of a wider trend of re-evaluating tech in schools. In September [[2026-09-02 NYC and LA Pause AI in Schools|New York City and Los Angeles school districts paused AI in their schools]]. This is only the beginning. See the end of the page for more about the [[#What next?|upcoming provincial election]]. ## Elected party statements on AI In the lead up to the election, we asked parties what their stance is on AI and whether they would support pausing its unregulated use in classrooms. ### COPE <img src="vsb-cope.png" width="200" /> > [!Success] Supports a Pause on AI > COPE has provided us with the following statement regarding their stance on AI in schools. > > > - COPE is opposed to the 2026 spring implementation of Microsoft Copilot at VSB, including the use of GenAI and chatbots in Vancouver schools. > > - COPE will put a pause on the use of GenAI and chatbots. > > - COPE will engage and consult with stakeholders and the broader community to implement a technology audit with a specific focus on the use of AI in schools. > > - COPE will engage and consult with stakeholders and the broader community to create VSB policies and procedures to address the concerns below: > > - Safety and privacy for students > > - Impact of AI usage on learning outcomes > > - Impact of AI usage on student mental health > > - Equity of technology resources > > - Need for transparent and robust consultation with stakeholders and community on AI usage and adoption in schools. > > - Impact on the use of and validity of results when AI is used for public engagement and consultation. > > - Impact on climate and the environment of AI usage and adoption > > - Lack of student AI usage policies and procedures > > - Lack of staff AI usage policies and procedures > > - VSB practises potentially in conflict with proposed Federal Bill C-34, The Safe Social Media Act ### Green Party of Vancouver <img src="vsb-green.png" width="200" /> - [Party website](https://www.vangreens.ca/candidates) > [!Success] Supports a Pause on AI > Statement received via email: > > The Vancouver Greens support a pause and thorough review of the use of generative AI in Vancouver schools. While students need to understand emerging technologies, AI should not replace the development of critical thinking, writing, creativity and independent learning. Any future use should include strong safeguards related to student learning, cognitive impacts, ethics, privacy, safety, academic integrity and wellbeing. Educators should help shape how these tools are used, and trustees have a responsibility to establish clear standards and ensure technology is serving students’ best interests. ### OneCity Vancouver <img src="vsb-onecity.webp" width="200" /> - [Party website](https://www.onecityvancouver.ca/our_candidates) > [!Warning] Supports some reductions on AI in classrooms > Statement received via email: > > OneCity supports a learner-centred, research-informed, and teacher-driven approach to generative artificial intelligence at the VSB. We recognize both the importance and potential usefulness of developing a critical understanding of this emerging technology. At the same time, we will work to identify and minimize the risks to learning, critical thinking, well-being, privacy, and equity. > > > > We note that the VSB currently has no policies guiding the use and review of Gen AI in schools. The rationale for the rollout of Copilot in grades 8-12 was that knowledge of AI tools is necessary to prepare learners for a world in which AI would be part of daily life and work and that AI can engender “innovative thinking.” OneCity Trustees would take a more cautious approach. GenAI in VSB schools would be limited to use under the guidance of teachers. Teaching is to be done by teachers, and **AI should never replace the role of teachers**. Instead, we propose that GenAI be available for teachers to use as an instructional tool with learners in senior grades, if they so choose. > > > > - AI should support, not replace, students’ own thinking. Its use should be age-appropriate, with independent access to VSB-approved AI chatbots limited to Grades 10–12. > > - OneCity will work with students, teachers, families and the educational community to continue to ensure clear safeguards for ethical/appropriate use, privacy, safety, academic integrity, misinformation and bias, and accessibility. > > - OneCity will focus on making critical AI literacy an important part of digital education, so students learn to question AI-generated information, recognize misinformation and bias, verify information using reliable sources, protect their privacy, and understand that AI should support rather than replace their own thinking. > > - We will make sure professional learning opportunities and educational resources are available for teachers while respecting their professional autonomy. > > - We will ensure regular reviews of AI tools and policies are conducted as evidence and technology evolve ## What next? With the [[BC Provincial Election]] happening in less than a week, there is still work to do. So far only the [[BC Provincial Election#Green Party|BC Green Party]] have made a statement on their plans for AI in schools. They [proposed a two-year moratorium on AI in K-12 classrooms](https://bcgreens.ca/announce-plan-to-regulate-ai-and-hold-big-tech-accountable/). They plan to: > Develop clear, province-wide direction on the safe and ethical use of AI with students, placing a moratorium on AI use in K–12 classrooms until that plan is in place. and in detail: > Enact a moratorium on the use of AI in classrooms from K-12 in order to develop a comprehensive response to AI in the classroom, and direction on safe, ethical use of AI with students. This includes protecting privacy, enforceable safeguards, digital literacy support for all educators, and working with the federal government to hold tech companies accountable for ensuring that systems are safe before they reach the classroom. The [[BC Provincial Election#NDP|BC NDP]] have yet to make a statement. Call and email your candidates and MLAs to find out why they have not yet made a stand against US big tech invading our classrooms.