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Candidates seek voters’ support to represent Richmond in Ottawa

By Richmond Sentinel

Published 1:19 PDT, Tue October 1, 2019

Last Updated: 2:36 PDT, Tue October 1, 2019

In our ongoing coverage of the Oct. 21 federal election, we present biographies of four candidates who were previously not included in our mid-September issue. They are listed by riding, and in alphabetical order.

All told, nine individuals (five in the riding of Richmond Centre and four in the riding of Steveston-Richmond East) are seeking your support to represent Richmond in the House of Commons.


Richmond Centre:

Dustin Innes, NDP

Steven Kou, Liberal

Ivan Pak, PPC

Francoise Raunet, Green

Alice Wong, Conservative

(incumbent)


Steveston-Richmond East:

Kenny Chiu, Conservative

Jaeden Dela Torre, NDP

Nicole Iaci, Green

Joe Peschisolido, Liberal

(incumbent)


Richmond Centre

Dustin Innes, NDP

Growing up in Richmond where he continues to live and work, he is a graduate of J.N. Burnett Secondary School and has earned many awards for his community work, organizing Terry Fox events and leadership programs. He has also worked with schools, hospitals and orphanages, including in Haiti and the Dominican Republic and has volunteered with United Way and the BC Cancer Foundation. 

His passion at college was philosophy and political science, and later studied art history in Europe. As a lifeguard he learned how to help people drowning; he sees people drowning in debt from housing prices, medication costs, mental health, and a future with climate crisis.

Having served two terms as a union vice-president and a labour activist, he is a delegate for the BC Federation of Labour and CUPE BC. He believes that we’re all stronger when we stand together, and that every individual matters and has worth. 

He hopes to encourage more young people to get politically engaged and run for office to face issues impacting our present and future. 


Steven Kou, Liberal

A chartered accountant, Steven Kou immigrated to Canada in 2001 and is the author of three books on Canadian taxation.

A devoted community advocate, Kou is actively involved in various community initiatives and encourages and educates newcomers to integrate into Canadian society.

Kou has firsthand experience with the challenges that face small business owners and middle-class families. He cares about education, our social welfare system, job opportunities and economy development, creating new job opportunities and building a better future for families throughout the region. 


Steveston-Richmond East

Kenny Chiu, Conservative

A former Richmond school trustee and recent co-host of NewsTalk on Fairchild morning radio, Chiu moved to Canada in 1982, and has worked, raised his family in, and been serving the community for over 25 years. 

While building his career in Richmond’s high-tech industry as a software engineer and senior development manager, Kenny has also been active in numerous boards around Richmond such as the city’s Family and Youth Court Advisory Committee. 

Previously on the board of the Mennonite Housing Society, he helped provide housing for low-income families and assisted living for seniors. As a member of the Philippine Canada Trade Council, he encouraged entrepreneurship for new immigrants. He was also a past executive for the Richmond Rotary Club, giving back to the community through projects supporting Richmond’s local organizations and institutions. 


Jaeden Dela Torre, NDP

Currently studying political science at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Dela Torre is a lifelong Richmondite who is passionate about tackling climate change and fixing income inequality. 

As an active volunteer during the 2017 provincial election, the 18-year-old gained a better understanding of the issues facing Canadian families. In 2018, he led a youth campaign in favour of temporary modular housing for homeless in Richmond, including a camp-in outside of city hall. He also ran a campaign to have youth representation on the Richmond School Board.

Dela Torre believes the environment needs to be protected with better laws and science-based targets and timelines. He is also calling for a federal climate plan to protect the community from flooding and introducing clean, well-paying jobs to Richmond.

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