The October 2020 provincial election resulted in three new NDP MLAs in Richmond: Kelly Greene in Richmond–Steveston, Aman Singh in Richmond–Queensborough, and Henry Yao in Richmond South Centre.

Host Jim Gordon spoke with Greene, Singh, and Yao for an update on their experience as MLAs so far.

Editor’s note: Richmond North Centre MLA Teresa Wat was unavailable, but was interviewed at a later date.

What made you want to run (to be an MLA)?

Greene: I’ve lived (in Richmond) just about my entire life. I want to raise my kids here, and I want to make sure that the city that they’re inheriting and all the kids are going to be inheriting is the best it can possibly be.

Yao: In politics, one thing we learn very quickly is (there are) a lot of challenges and difficulties (that) we often don’t see unless you actually get involved. There’s a lot of great work our community advocates are doing, but the real change has to come from (the) government’s side. The more we work with younger generations, the more we realize that the future is so important for us. We need to start investing and looking after issues right now.

Singh: My parents instilled in me that public service was a really big part of us, and that’s not only part of who I am, it’s part of my spiritual faith as well. I want to make sure that British Columbia is welcoming and affordable for everybody, and that (it) has a climate we can actually live in. 

How do you inspire (youth) to (be engaged in politics)?

Greene: Talking to young people about the things that matter to them, and then connecting the dots to where those decisions and pressure points come from—it might be municipal government, it might be provincial government, it might be federal government. Voting is really the best way to express yourself and make a contribution towards what happens next.

Talk about some of the work you do to make sure people know where to find you in your riding.

Yao: Unfortunately, I’m still setting up my office, so we do lots of email (and) telephone. Of course the pandemic makes it easier for us to do a lot of things virtually. We go to community events and connect with people to really understand what kinds of challenges they’re facing. We connect with our fellow citizens to really hear (what) they’re saying and let them know they have an MLA (who) will try (their) best (to help) them address the concerns they have.

Everybody’s got families—how are you balancing being in Victoria (and) being here? Is it overwhelming at first?

Singh: The pandemic made it less overwhelming because we weren’t physically in Victoria, we were doing everything virtually. But now (that) we’re back, it is challenging. You really have to be committed to this job to want to do it, and I think all three of us are very committed to that change.

Greene: I think that for every single person that is in elected office, their family is making a lot of sacrifices. Not only am I missing my family, but my family isn’t having the support that they would enjoy if I was home. 

Yao: At times, I doubted whether being an MLA (was) the right thing for me. Sunday afternoon, before I have to take off, my wife (has) to find a way with my parents to distract (our daughter) so I can quickly sneak out into the car. Child care (and) family care can be a huge barrier for elected officials, and I think if we want our democracy to be properly supported, we do need to continue to find different solutions to ensure good people can represent, and we need people who are in those difficult situations so they know how to walk (the) difficult walk and bring that perspective in.

What are the most important things that need attention in this city, and specifically (each of) your (ridings)?

Greene: The hospital replacement project is top of mind for Richmond. The Steveston Interchange is a huge crunch point for people in my riding trying to get within Richmond. And everybody in my riding is talking about environment (in) almost every conversation. We’re in a very low-lying area in the world, and people know that we have to be serious about mitigating climate change if we’re going to protect our city.

Yao: One of the most common concerns is affordability. People are talking about housing (and) food prices, because small families (are) just trying to make a living and (take) care of our future generation. Anti-racism is a huge issue too, because (Richmond South Centre is) a very diverse riding. We want to help our families to live (in) a more affordable, accessible, and livable environment.

Singh: In the pandemic, health care and services that people depend on really became the foremost issue. Our government has tried to address (the affordability and housing crises) over the last few years—reducing (child care) fees by 50 per cent by the end of 2022, we’re well into our 10-year $10 a day child care plan, (and) getting rid of tolls, getting rid of (Medical Services Plan premiums). With Richmond–Queensborough, the majority of the riding is farmland so food security is something that we’re going to see, especially with the war in Ukraine (and) the Russian invasion, we will see an impact on that as well.

Can you talk about any updates on the arrival of refugees from Ukraine?

Greene: We’re standing by to support the federal government in finding places for Ukrainians to come and be safe. There is so much support in the community to make them feel safe and settled in their community of choice.

Singh: The provincial government has (sent) a million dollars to the Red Cross, and is standing ready to help refugees not only from Ukraine but other places as well. Once we hear more from the federal government, you’ll all hear about it.

Yao: This is really a war between Putin and his government versus the suffering Ukraine. We should not (take) our anger out just because somebody is a Russian-Canadian. We need to fight against hate; hate in any form, any form of discrimination is not healthy. We’re here as Canadians supporting one another. Let us focus on the Russian Putin government, we’re going to exercise our sanctions, support Ukrainian-Canadians, and really supporting (with) peace and love Russian-Canadians, and any other global citizens who also embrace peace.

Any final thoughts?

Singh: Thank you for having us. It’s always great to have these sorts of conversations, and we look forward to more of them.

Greene: I enjoy being able to have these conversations and talk about issues that matter to people in Richmond. Our offices are always open, and we’re very easy to find on Google, so if anybody needs anything, please do look us up.

Yao: I appreciate (these) conversations. A lot of people look at elected officials with a title, but not realize we are all human beings behind it. We try our best to break free of our labels and really understand our constituents, when they come to approach us, we want to do our best to accept you for who you are and really hear you out. We might not solve our constituents’ concerns or challenges, but we’ll definitely do our best to find out all the details and information to support as far as we can.

The MLAs can be reached at:

Greene: Kelly.greene.mla@leg.bc.ca or kellygreene.ca

Singh: Aman.singh.mla@leg.bc.ca

Yao: Henry.yao.mla@leg.bc.ca or 604-775-0891