A voter's guide to Richmond-Bridgeport
A voter's guide to Richmond-Bridgeport
This one comes with a twist—it's written by one of the candidates
The wheels are falling off the B.C. Conservative bus right before our eyes. It’s not because of some of their most disturbing policies, such as around the climate, responding to the toxic-drug crisis, or their utter fiscal irresponsibility.
No, it’s because of what two high-profile nominees have said about First Nations. South Surrey Conservative candidate Brent Chapman and Vancouver-Quilchena candidate Dallas Brodie would probably have been invited into John Rustad’s cabinet were he to form government.
I don’t need to repeat what they said here—it’s all over the Internet. Both of them may still get elected and sit on the Opposition side of the legislature. However, B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad’s chance of becoming premier has gone down the drain as a result of the recent revelations.
Where does that leave voters in Richmond-Bridgeport? They have five options, including me. Here are my biased thoughts on the matter.
Teresa Wat (Conservative)
Wat chose to abandon her BC United caucus to join the B.C. Conservatives, which was built, in part, by the anti-mRNA vaccine crowd. In light of all the revelations about the people Wat is running with, her decision raises serious questions about her judgment.
Wat is a former minister of multiculturalism who represents a very diverse constituency. She’s now on a team that still hasn’t released a fully costed platform and whose candidates have offended leaders in the Muslim and First Nations communities.
One of those speaking out has been prominent Musqueam member Wade Grant. The Musqueam people have a long and glorious history in Richmond-Bridgeport. Will Wat also speak out against the B.C. Conservative candidates’ comments in solidarity with Grant? Not likely. She’ll probably just keep her mouth shut like every other B.C. Conservative candidate.
Wat has already qualified for her full MLA pension. She’s in her mid-70s, according to Wikipedia. The way the campaign is going, she will spend another four years on the Opposition side of the legislature if she’s elected in Richmond-Bridgeport.
Voters should send Wat into retirement to create space for a new generation of leaders of Chinese ancestry to carry the torch in Richmond. We need less partisan posturing and more solution-oriented thinking in Richmond-Bridgeport.
Linda Li (B.C. NDP)
The B.C. NDP candidate has an impressive record of community service. She’s a decent human being. But if the B.C. NDP is re-elected, I don’t see her going into cabinet. She’ll be a backbench MLA. As a result, she will just be another vote in the legislature rubber-stamping the policies of David Eby, who played a role in stigmatizing Chinese people in the past (and for which he has apologized).
Li would also be part of the legislature cheering section for senior ministers like Adrian Dix and Mike Farnworth, two other partisan warriors who should be thinking of retirement to clear the way for fresh blood in politics.
Furthermore, Li declined to answer one of the most critical questions on the Richmond News candidate survey: Do you support a safe supply of drugs for people with a severe substance-use disorder? Let’s get real. Last year, 2,500 British Columbians died from toxic drugs. It’s one of the most compelling issues in the election. For me, her refusal to answer this question is a deal breaker as a provincial candidate.
I think Richmond would be better served with Li on city council in the future rather than in the B.C. legislature. On council, her understanding of housing and land-use issues would be a real asset. On council, she could also learn more about a wide range of public policies before graduating to the big leagues of provincial politics.
Tamás Revóczi (B.C. Green)
Tamás is a good person, an excellent listener, and he has a quick mind. In the time I’ve gotten to know him, I feel that I share some of his core values. But here’s my problem with Tamás. He’s president of the Sea Island Community Association and he says he supports Bills 44 and 47. But he wants exemptions for Aberdeen Station.
Moreover, the two B.C. Greens in the legislature voted against Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon’s motion to pass Bill 44 unamended.
I feel this legislation is necessary to bring on much-needed housing supply. I believe that city councils across the region have played a monumental role in creating this housing shortage that’s punishing young British Columbians—and the province has responded appropriately.
Tamás is supported by Richmond city councillors who have contributed to the problem by opposing much greater densification in Burkeville, where Tamás lives.
I’m also not convinced that Tamás has enough understanding of the breadth of provincial issues and diverse communities at this point in his life to be the MLA, though he’s bright enough to learn over time. However, like Linda Li, he could be a superb city councillor in the future. I also believe he has a bright future in politics, even if he loses this election. Tamás could even be a future B.C. Green leader if he ever wanted to do this.
Glynnis Hoi Sum Chan (Independent)
Glynnis brings some genuine strengths to the table. First of all, she’s trilingual and communicates effortlessly in Mandarin, Cantonese, and English. She’s also a workhorse, which is demonstrated in how she built up a successful travel agency as a single mom. Glynnis is Hakka and Hakka women have a reputation for being incredibly hard workers.
Moreover, Glynnis is hardnosed and blunt-speaking, so I’m confident that she would demand answers on behalf of her constituents. Furthermore, she can be counted on to stand up for immigrants should she become the MLA for Richmond-Bridgeport. She has also worked hard to raise money for health charities.
In the past, Glynnis was very active with BC United. She accepts the reality of the climate crisis, unlike some B.C. Conservatives running in the election.
By now, readers are probably expecting me to get to the “but” about Glynnis. While her heart is in the right place, I strongly disagree with her approach to the drug issue. She led a campaign against a methadone clinic in Vancouver’s Chinatown.
I think Glynnis needs to sit down with the leaders of a group called Moms Against the Harm and listen to what they have to say. Truly listen. If she did that and really absorbed what they had to say, I think she would become a better politician and would be worth supporting if you’re a centrist or centre-right in your perspective.
I prefer Glynnis over Teresa Wat if you think Richmond-Bridgeport needs a fully bilingual or trilingual MLA. That’s because Glynnis would never join a party led by John Rustad and which fields candidates who oppose mRNA COVID vaccines.
Charlie Smith (Independent)
I’m tempted to say that he’s handsome, clever, considerate, compassionate, open-minded, knowledgeable, and has excellent judgment. But that would probably only bring on Internet trolls to dispute all of those assertions. So instead, I encourage you to read my recent posts on this Substack account and draw your own conclusions.
In closing, I think I’m ready to walk into the legislature and hold whatever government is in power accountable. I’ve been doing that as a B.C. journalist for more than 30 years. I also taught other journalists as a faculty member at Kwantlen’s Richmond campus for seven years. And if you wonder about my ability to represent diverse communities in Richmond-Bridgeport, I will leave the final words to my friend, journalist Ng Weng Hoong, who’s an immigrant from Singapore.
"Charlie brings a perspective and experience that will be sorely needed in culturally diverse Richmond. He understands the challenges faced by the diverse Chinese communities at a time when they are hurting from both the ordeal of Sinophobia and Sinofascism. His track record, first as the editor of the Georgia Straight (2005 to 2022), and now with his new outlet, speaks of an exceptional individual who is totally at ease working in a multicultural and diverse environment. He is tuned in to the sensitivities of the numerous ethnic groups living side by side in Canada."
After initial publication, I amended this article to better reflect Tamás Revóczi’s positions on Bills 44 and 47.