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Richmond votes Conservatives to House of Commons

By Don Fennell

Published 4:26 PDT, Tue October 22, 2019

Last Updated: 2:13 PDT, Wed May 12, 2021

Richmond voters have elected a pair of Conservatives to represent them in the House of Commons.

On election night Oct. 21, incumbent Alice Wong was re-elected to serve a fourth consecutive term as Member of Parliament for the riding of Richmond Centre. And in the Steveston Richmond East riding, Kenny Chiu defeated incumbent Liberal MP Joe Peschisolido to earn his first term in Ottawa. It was a reversal of the 2015 election results.

“On a national level the Liberals still hold the most seats, although no longer a majority (government),’ Wong told supporters at her victory party. “I want to assure you we will hold (the government) to the highest level of accountability.”

Wong said she knocked on at least 80 per cent of homes in the Richmond Centre riding, hearing residents concerns about both “the future of our country and their own future prospects.”

“I wish to reaffirm my determination to work hard for you to get ahead, to work with integrity, and to continue to listen to what you have to say. There is much to be done in the coming months and years. Tomorrow, the heavy lifting begins.”

Chiu said he is “humbled, ecstatic and privileged” at the opportunity to serve the people of Steveston Richmond East.

“I love my country, and to be able to run as a candidate and win is such a gift. I’m going to serve with all my heart.”

Chiu said as an MP for Richmond, he will push for help in addressing the affects of climate change, while also recognizing the need for more fiscal responsibility at a national level.

Both Wong and Chiu have ties to local education.

A lifelong learner, Wong worked at Kwantlen Polytechnic University until 2006 as faculty and manager of international programs. She also taught entrepreneurship and English as a Second Language, and offered the first English and Chinese small business management classes for immigrants. Chiu served as a trustee on the Richmond School Board from 2011 to 2014. During this time, he helped to increase the district’s school building fund to ensure the district is ready to meet Richmond’s ever-growing needs.

Wong received nearly 19,000 votes or about 49 per cent of the roughly 38,000 votes cast in the Richmond Centre riding. Less than 52 per cent of the 73,000 registered electors cast ballots.

Chiu received some 17,000 votes or about 42 per cent of the roughly 41,000 votes cast in the Steveston Richmond East riding. About 55 per cent of the 73,840 eligible voters cast ballots.

Overall, the Liberals under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau won the majority of seats, 157, (down 20 from 2015) to form a minority government. The Conservatives, under leader Andrew Scheer, will form the official opposition after winning 121 seats, an increase of 26 from the 2015 election. 

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