Add John Yano’s name to the list of candidates for the next mayor of Vancouver.

“I am running for mayor because I believe that Vancouver needs to build strong, inclusive, and sustainable communities,” Yano declared on social media.

Yano, a former member of the executive of the B.C. NDP, also went after two of the most established civic parties in the city, namely the ruling Vision Vancouver and its main rival, the Non-Partisan Association.

“Vision and the NPA have poor records with regard to providing for the needs of our city’s most marginalized,” according to Yano.

Moreover, “It’s time to change city hall, for the people of Vancouver to have a stronger say in what happens in our city, I am running for mayor because it is time for real consultation in this city, we need leadership that will not  only listen but will act based on the feedback of residents.”

Yano did not make any mention of the city’s oldest progressive party, the Coalition of Progressive Electors (COPE).

As of Wednesday (September 12), Yano is listed as one of the members of the executive of COPE.

In his COPE profile, Yano is described as a “red seal journeyman cook”, and a “social and environmental justice advocate”.

According to his profile, Yano was born in Ontario to parents who were originally from Vancouver.

Yano grew up in Toronto, lived for some years in Alberta, and came to Vancouver in 1999.

Yano is also described as a former steward with the Hospital Employees Union, and a member of a local executive and two provincial union committees, one of which is an LGBT committee.

In 2014, Yano sought but failed to get a nomination with COPE to run as council candidate.

Yano has been active with COPE since 2005.

On his Twitter account, Yano describes himself as an advocate for affordable and social housing.