Vancouver mayoral candidate Patrick Condon steps aside after stroke

Patrick Condon has announced his campaign to become mayor of Vancouver is ending after he suffered a stroke.

"I have been advised by doctors that I need to concentrate my efforts fully on recovery," he wrote Friday morning in a statement posted to his Facebook page.

Condonannounced last month he would seek the nomination of the Coalition of Progressive Electors, Vancouver's oldest left-wing party.

"Therefore, because I'm not able to dedicate my full capability to the party as it readies itself for the upcoming election, I must end my nomination campaign as a mayoral candidate for COPE."

Condon, a UBCurbandesign professor, had focused his campaign aroundmaking non-market housing half of the city's housing stock.

Seven running for mayor

Condon's announcement means there are now seven people actively running to replace Gregor Robertson as mayor of Vancouver: Ian Campbell (Vision Vancouver), Ken Sim (NPA), David Chen (ProVancouver), Wai Young (Coalition Vancouver) independents Kennedy Stewart andShauna Sylvester, and Hector Bremner (who has not formally announced his campaign for his new Yes Vancouver party, but is expected to soon).

COPE co-chair Connie Hubbs called Condon's announcement "devastating,"but said the party would continue to hold a nomination meeting on August 19.

"The members have the option of either choosing not to endorse or nominate a mayor," she said.

"We also have the option of nominating a candidate. Unfortunately, that's not going to be Condon, but other names may well emerge."

The deadline to declare as a candidateis Sept. 14, with election day on Oct. 20.