An urban geographer and a wealth manager are among the latest to explore the idea of running for mayor of Vancouver.

Colleen Hardwick and Chris Hasek-Watt have expressed interest in representing the Non-Partisan Association (NPA) in the October 2018 municipal election.

Hardwick is the founder and CEO of PlaceSpeak, an online community-consultation platform. She ran unsuccessfuly with the NPA for council in 2005.

Hasek-Watt is the vice president of Connor, Clark & Lunn Private Capital, a company that provides wealth management services.

Hardwick and Hasek-Watt have not officially announced their intentions, but according to NPA president Gregory Baker, they have obtained application packages for the mayoral nomination of the party.

NPA councillor Hector Bremner and former Cedar Party council candidate Glen Chernen have declared they are seeking the mayor nomination of the NPA.

Baker is pleased with the interest received by the party from likely contenders.

“It’s a good start,” Baker told the Georgia Straight in a phone interview Wednesday (February 21).

The NPA opened its nomination process on January 30 this year, and Baker is hoping more will come forward.

“I think we need more,” Baker said.

Kirk LaPointe, who ran for mayor with the NPA in 2014, has decided not to go for a second try.

Last year, former Vancouver South MP Wai Young indicated interest in becoming the standard bearer for the NPA.

Young has not decided yet if she’s in.

“All options are open at this point,” Young told the Straight by phone Monday (February 19).

According to Baker, contenders have until March 23 to hand in their applications.

A candidate selection committee will review the applications and interview aspirants.

Members of the city’s oldest civic party will choose their mayoral candidate by the end of April this year.