Vancouver politician addresses KidsPlay role after charity co-founder charged

Vancouver Park Board Commissioner Angela Haer has addressed her former volunteer role with KidsPlay Foundation after its co-founder, Kalwinder Dosanjh, was criminally charged last week.

In a statement Monday, Haer said she was aware of comments circulating about her association with the foundation. She said investigators have not approached her, she has not been charged and she is not accused of wrongdoing.

Haer said her work for KidsPlay was voluntary, unpaid and undertaken in good faith because the charity’s stated work focused on children, youth sport and recreation. Supporting opportunities for young people to participate in sport was consistent with her public service as a Park Board commissioner, she said.

She said she left the charity in May 2025 and that her role did not involve finances, banking, accounting, cheque writing or daily operations. Decisions about her political future are separate from the allegations, Haer said.

Haer announced Saturday that she will not seek re-election, citing a wish to be more present in her children’s lives as they move through high school and university. She was previously elected under Mayor Ken Sim’s ABC party, which thanked her for her service in a brief weekend statement.

Dosanjh, a 26-year veteran of the Vancouver Police Department, was arrested Thursday following a years-long internal investigation into alleged theft and fraud. Authorities say they have identified 19 alleged victims with combined losses exceeding $3 million.

Dosanjh and business partner Sarabjit Singh Gill were charged in the case. Dosanjh has denied the allegations and said he looks forward to clearing his name in court.