Patti Bacchus

Patricia "Patti" Bacchus is a politician and journalist from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, who served as Vancouver School Board chair for six terms, trustee for eight years, and one of nine trustees fired by the Government of British Columbia in October 2016. As chair of the Vancouver School Board, Bacchus repeatedly tabled deficit budgets and, in 2016, was a member of the Board fired for not just tabling a deficit budget, but refusing to pass a controversial balanced budget.
Trustee and Board Chair History and Controversy
First elected to the Vancouver School Board in 2008 and chair from 2008 to 2014, Bacchus was long associated with seismic safety campaigns and attempts to diversify the board's educational offerings. Bacchus's six-year run as chair ended when the Vision Vancouver Party lost majority control in 2014 Vancouver election and the Green Party's Janet Fraser helped vote NPA trustee Christopher Richardson to chair.
2016 VSB Budget Controversy and Board Removal
In October 2016, Bacchus and eight other school board trustees were fired by the education minister and the provincial government after they refused to pass a balance budget. Public consultation had steered the trustees from passing the budget.
She was named one of BC's Top 100 Influential Women by The Vancouver Sun. She was a key influence in the development of BC's first Aboriginal focus and Mandarin immersion public schools. Since being removed from her position as trustee, Bacchus has served as an education writer for The Vancouver Observer. She is also a director of the Broadbent Institute.
Background
Born and raised in Vancouver, Bacchus attended public school, leaving the public system briefly after her gifted program was cut, and returning to attend public secondary school. She graduated from the University of Victoria and Langara College and worked in journalism and public relations. Bacchus is married to journalist Lee Bacchus and they have three children together.

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