Posted by ReyFort Media
Lina Vargas is seeking a seat on the Vancouver School Board as part of Mayor Ken Sim’s ABC Vancouver team in the October 17, 2026 municipal election.
A mother, community leader, businesswoman, and social services worker, Vargas has devoted many years to helping people improve their lives through education, opportunity, advocacy, and community service.
Her journey reflects her strong belief in lifelong learning. From becoming a registered midwife in the Philippines to working as an aesthetician, healthcare worker, entrepreneur, and social services professional in Canada, Vargas has consistently pursued education and professional development throughout her life.
That experience has helped shape her interest in public education. She believes every child deserves a safe, respectful, and supportive classroom where students can learn, grow, and reach their full potential. She supports strong academics complemented by opportunities in the arts, music, and sports, and believes that families, teachers, staff, and schools must work together with student success as their common goal.
As a mother who raised a child with special needs, Vargas also brings a personal perspective to her advocacy for safe and inclusive schools. She believes every student deserves to learn in a secure environment free from bullying and discrimination, with appropriate support for children of different abilities and backgrounds.
Beyond education, Vargas has spent years building connections among Vancouver’s diverse communities. She is the founding president of the Diversity and Inclusion Support Group of B.C. (DISG), a nonprofit organization that recognizes and celebrates the contributions of migrants, healthcare workers, caregivers, volunteers, community leaders, and organizations representing diverse backgrounds.
Through DISG, Vargas has also supported people and families during times of need. The organization has partnered for many years with Canadian Blood Services in promoting blood donation campaigns and encouraging community members to help save lives.
Vargas’s own Canadian journey began in 2004, when she arrived in Vancouver as a caregiver. She reunited with her family in 2010 and continued building a life centered on family, work, education, and service to the community.
Originally trained as a registered midwife in the Philippines, Vargas has earned multiple certifications and diplomas in Canada, including training as a healthcare aide, cosmetologist, entrepreneur, impact leader, and social services worker.
Her professional experience has included work in acute care and as a community support worker, care aide, and community living counsellor. She is also an entrepreneur and owns Care Cut Mobile Salon, which specializes in providing services to seniors and individuals with disabilities.
Vargas has been an active community volunteer since 2016. Among her charitable activities was fundraising for Balding for Dollars, an initiative supporting children with cancer through BC Children’s Hospital.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she helped serve meals to people experiencing homelessness through Union Gospel Mission. She has also provided haircuts for seniors at Collingwood Neighbourhood House and Mount Pleasant Community Centre, as well as occasional haircut services at housing facilities.
Her community involvement has earned her several recognitions. In 2021, Vargas was recognized as an Outstanding Woman by the United Global Chinese Women’s Association of Canada. In 2024, she was nominated for a B.C. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Award.
She also received an Active Community Leader Award in Vancouver in 2024 from the Filipino Migrants International Affairs Society of Canada and was recognized among the Most Outstanding Filipinos Award 2024 honourees through the 35th anniversary celebration of Binibining Pilipinas of the World in Toronto, Ontario.
Vargas has also volunteered in support of Mable Elmore, the first MLA of Filipino heritage elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.
From 2023 to 2025, Vargas served on the board of directors of the Metro Vancouver Alliance, an organization that brings together community groups to advocate on issues affecting residents, including affordable housing.
Now, Vargas hopes to bring her experience as a mother, caregiver, social services professional, entrepreneur, advocate, and community builder to the Vancouver School Board.
For Vargas, education is more than what happens inside the classroom. It is about giving young people the opportunity, confidence, support, and sense of belonging they need to build their future.
Her story—from arriving in Vancouver as a caregiver to becoming an entrepreneur and community leader—is one of perseverance, continuing education, and service. As she seeks to become a Vancouver school trustee, Vargas hopes to use those experiences to help strengthen relationships among students, families, educators, and the wider community.
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Lina Vargas is running for Vancouver school board with the ABC team of Mayor Ken Sim.
ReyFort Media 
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