Jason Lamarche

Jason Lamarche (born November 28, 1976) is a Canadian politician,"Jason Lamarche: We need to raise our standard of living in Vancouver". The Georgia Straight, October 25, 2011. professional skateboarder,"Jason Lamarche: Professional skateboard footage". Instagram, August 11, 2021."Jason Lamarche: Skateboard Plaza speech to Vancouver Park Board". YouTube, August 11, 2021. and political activist."City of North Vancouver Public Hearing Minutes Regarding Cannabis Bylaws". City of North Vancouver, August 11, 2021.
As of 2018, Jason Lamarche currently lives in Ottawa, Ontario.
==Early life and career==
Jason Lamarche was born in Ottawa, Ontario in 1976 and raised in Hull, Québec. He dropped out of high school in grade 9 to pursue a career in skateboarding. His first sponsor was a skateboard shop called G-Style in Hull, Québec. 
After moving to Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1997, Lamarche made skateboarding his full-time profession. His sponsors included: Westbeach Skateboard Shop, Circa Footwear, Funkshun Clothing, and District Skateboards. 
He played a central role in the Vancouver skateboard community, and was elected Vice President of the Vancouver Skateboard Coalition (VSBC)."Jason Lamarche: Skateboard Plaza speech to Vancouver Park Board". YouTube, August 11, 2021. This organization lobbied the City of Vancouver for over ten years in order to build the world's first skateboard plaza. In 2007, the VSBC became the first skateboard organization in the world to participate in an LGBT pride parade."Vancouver Skateboard Coalition Vancouver Pride Parade". Vancouver Skateboard Coalition, August 11, 2021.
Lamarche created a skateboard company called Rough Riders Skateboarding. This company sponsored top skateboarding athletes across Canada. Rough Riders Skateboarding was one of the first companies to sponsor female skateboard athletes in Canada. 
Rough Riders Skateboarding also produced major skateboard events including Canada's first National event for Professional and Amateur skateboarders called East Meets West. This event ran for four years in Toronto, Calgary, Montréal, and Vancouver.
Rough Riders Skateboarding also sold their own products including skateboards, clothing, and accessories. 
==Federal politics==
In 2005, Lamarche quit skateboarding so he could return to school and complete his high school diploma. He then went to Langara College and the University of British Columbia where he studied commerce and political science. 
During his time at University, he became active in party politics and spent the next five years volunteering and working for dozens of Federal Members of Parliament across Canada. He spent several years as the communications director for Federal Member of Parliament, Dr. Hedy Fry."Photo Gallery: The Liberal Convention 2009 (Day 1)". Maclean’s, August 11, 2021."Liberal Minute #75 - Hedy Fry Vancouver Pride 2010". YouTube, August 11, 2021.
He also created a successful online video series called the "Liberal Minute" and produced over 100 episodes featuring interviews with Canadian Prime Ministers, Senators, Members of Parliament, and the general voting public."LIBCON2009 #28 - Justin Trudeau & Youth Involvement". YouTube, August 11, 2021.
In 2010, Lamarche ran unsuccessfully for Organization Chair of the B.C. chapter of the Federal Liberal Party of Canada."LPCBC 2009—Jason Lamarche—Organization". YouTube, August 11, 2021.
==Municipal politics==
In 2011, Lamarche decided to run for Vancouver City Council under the right of centre Non-Partisan Association banner."Jason Lamarche – Candidate for City Council". Non Partisan Association NPA Vancouver, August 11, 2021.
Lamarche promoted accepting Bitcoin payments for Municipal fees."Bitcoin donations allowed in B.C. municipal elections". YouTube, September 17, 2014.
He was also the first person in the world to use a Bitcoin atm."World's first bitcoin ATM opens in Vancouver coffee shop". YouTube, October 29, 2013.
Lamarche earned 37,286 votes, but was not elected."2011 Candidates and Results". CivicInfo BC, November 19, 2011.
==Municipal politics part II==
In 2018, Lamarche ran for Mayor of Vancouver as an Independent candidate. He lost to Kennedy Stewart in a grueling campaign."2018 election results". City of Vancouver, August 11, 2021.
==Provincial politics==
In August, 2019, Lamarche announced his intention to seek public office as the Member of Provincial Parliament in the 2020 by-election for the riding of Ottawa—Vanier, as a registered member of Ontario Premier Doug Ford's Progressive Conservative Party.
However, the nomination race was cancelled, and another candidate was acclaimed through an executive veto of party brass.
Category:1976 births
Category:People from Ottawa, Ontario
Category:University of British Columbia alumni
Category:People from Vancouver