Richmond, B.C.'s complicated relationship with election participation and representation at city hall

Richmond, B.C.'s complicated relationship with election participation and representation at city hall

Some residents say council's makeup should reflect the city's demographics

Statistics Canada says Richmond's Chinese community makes up half of the city's voting population — referring to those who are citizens old enough to cast ballots.

"So, they should be [a] similar proportion in the council," said Borg Chan, a longtime Richmond resident.

Yet the makeup of Richmond's elected leaders has never fully reflected its demographics. The current council only has one person with an East Asian background — Alexa Loo. Chak Au was the only other member of East Asian descent, but he vacated his seat to become a member of Parliament.

The perceived lack of representation has become a sensitive issue this municipal election.

Richmond's current mayor and council, elected in 2022. Alexa Loo and Chak Au were the only ones with an East Asian background, and Au has since left to become a member of Parliament. (City of Richmond)

In July, a controversial image on social media questioned why a leading mayoral candidate didn't appear to reflect the community’s ethnic makeup.

More recently, a post seemed to suggest one council candidate's supporters would only back candidates with a Chinese background — or a Chinese spouse. That candidate's party later blamed the post on a bad translation.

Both posts were deleted after facing heavy criticism — but they exposed an underlying concern.

"We need more councils [with a] Chinese background," said Richmond resident Jimmy Yuan.

"To represent our voice from the city."

Andy Yan, director of SFU's City Program, says it's necessary to examine the historical context of how Canada excluded Chinese Canadians. (Steven Chua/CBC)

Simon Fraser University professor Andy Yan said that part of the issue is related to Canada's long history of excluding Chinese Canadians in the political process.

"Do we actually have systemic barriers — hopefully accidental systemic barriers — that we have kind of established over time that we can perhaps remove?" said Yan.

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He also noted that Chinese Canadians didn't get the right to vote until 1947.

"You have to understand, really, the kind of long and complicated history in terms of inclusion and exclusion of Chinese Canadians in the electoral system, much less in the voter system," Yan said.

Borg Chan, a Richmond resident of 29 years, says that city's council should proportionally reflect its demographic makeup. (Steven Chua/CBC)

Only about 24 per cent of Richmond’s eligible voters cast a ballot in the last municipal election.

The head of a local immigration assistance group said Richmond has many newcomers — and they may come from places where political participation is discouraged.

"In some countries of origin, many believe that anybody associated with politic[s] or even authorities, or whether it is police authority or political work, will be condemned," said Queenie Choo, CEO of SUCCESS.

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Chan, a 29-year Richmond resident from Hong Kong, said some fear their Canadian politics could have consequences in their country of origin.

"They may be worried about something — it's political people," he said. "When I go back to my home country of Hong Kong or China, maybe [they will] have some concern."

Queenie Choo, CEO of SUCCESS, says voter education is key to overcoming some of the perceived barriers newcomers may face when participating in elections. (Steven Chua/CBC)

Many point to voter education as crucial in fixing this.

Chan said the next generation may be getting more politically active.

More than 17,400 people cast ballots in Richmond during advance voting this month.

That's more than double the number who participated in advance voting in the last municipal election.

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