KIRK LaPointe, who has held some of Canadian journalism’s most senior positions, is running as the Non-Partisan Association’s mayoral candidate in Vancouver’s November 15 election, the NPA announced on Monday.

“I am entering this campaign to focus on constructive ideas that will make our great city greater, and to cast aside the harmful politics of division,” LaPointe said. He adds he is running with the NPA team because the party is driven not by ideology, but rather by a desire to seek solutions to challenges facing the city.

He said his media career has given him the experience and ability to initiate and deliver change. “And there is a strong desire among Vancouverites for change.”

LaPointe has served as managing editor of The Vancouver Sun, CBC ombudsman, head of CTV News, founding executive editor of the National Post, and host of CBC Newsworld, among other senior positions. He is an adjunct professor and executive-in-residence at the University of British Columbia Graduate School of Journalism, where he teaches ethics and leadership.

LaPointe said that during his media career, he worked hard for greater access to information. As mayor, he will continue in that spirit to make City Hall the most open government in the country. “As a journalist, I fought to get the answers people wanted. As mayor, I will fight to create the solutions Vancouverites want.”

LaPointe, an avid runner, cyclist, blogger and new-music fan, is married with three children. He has been a volunteer coach for girls’ softball for seven years and is past president of the Vancouver Minor Softball Association.

He has stepped down from his role as Executive Director of the Organization of News Ombudsmen to run in the campaign.

He will blog about the campaign at thevancouveriwant.ca.  Learn more about Kirk LaPointe at npavancouver2014.ca.