Sean Orr

Orr was born in Surrey to Northern Irish immigrant parents and raised in the Metro Vancouver area. He credits his family for his involvement in politics from a young age.^[5]

He studied geography at the University of British Columbia before dropping out in his third year^[6] and soon began writing letters to the editor and blogging. This led to Orr writing for Toronto-based Beyond Robson's Morning Brew column in the mid-2000s, through which he gained popularity.^[7][8]

Sean has undertaken many art projects. In 2009, he self-published a photography book called "Pretty Drifted," encapsulating snapshots of urban Vancouver.^[9] Sean has been a musician in multiple bands such as Taxes, Kidnapping, producing music via the project Tassels, and most recently as front man for the hardcore-punk band NEEDS, since 2012.^[10][11]

Since 2011, Sean has been a writer for Vancouver-based Scout Magazine. His column Tea and Two Slices showcases Orr's outspoken leftist political commentary and has provided a digital outlet for his advocacy and activism.^[12][13][14]

Orr graduated from Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor of Arts in geography and political science in 2025.^[15]

Orr first ran as a candidate for Vancouver City Council in the newly formed municipal party VOTE Socialist during the 2022 Vancouver municipal election.^[16] Orr received 13,744 votes in the election. Orr previously ran as a Green Party of British Columbia candidate in Surrey-Tynehead in the 2005 British Columbia general election.^[17]

Ahead of the 2025 Vancouver City Council by-election, the VOTE Socialist party officially deregistered as an electoral party in support of Sean Orr's candidacy with COPE.^[18] His campaign focused on homelessness, rent control, the Downtown Eastside, and climate change.