Candidate: Martin Li
Riding: Richmond Centre–Marpole
Party: New Democratic Party (NDP)
Where do you live (city and neighbourhood)? Richmond Centre
Contact information:
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://martinli.ndp.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martin.li.richmond/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/martin.li.richmond.marpole#
X: https://x.com/CityOfRMartin
Why are you running for federal office?
I’ve lived in Richmond for over two decades, growing up here after my family immigrated to Canada when I was a child. This community gave me everything—my education, my first job and my sense of belonging. I’m running to give back. Families in Richmond Centre and Marpole are facing real challenges: unaffordable rent, long ER wait times and rising food prices. People deserve a local MP who knows this community, listens, understands and delivers practical results that make life better.
What is your professional background?
Richmond is my home—I grew up here, learned to swim at Richmond pools, and got my start working for the City of Richmond in aquatics, public works and building approvals. Those years gave me first-hand insight into how local government supports our community. I later served in HR roles at UBC and Langara College, and today, I run a Richmond-based HR consulting firm helping non-profits and small businesses. Whether supporting workers through layoffs or helping newcomers land their first job, I’ve always worked to uplift people, and a deep love for this community, to everything I do.
If elected, how will you ensure you are available to your constituents?
I will ensure my community office is fully accessible, with multilingual staff, weekend hours and mobile clinics serving neighbourhoods like Marpole and East Richmond. I’ll be present at cultural events, community centres, places of worship, seniors’ gatherings and local markets. Richmond’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths, and I’m committed to listening and engaging with people where they are. Representation means being accessible—not just during campaigns, but every day in between.
What are your top three campaign promises?
1. Build 500,000 affordable and co-op homes—faster—by using public land and streamlining permits.
2. Deliver universal dental and pharmacare, saving families $1,200/year.
3. Improve safety with more youth programs, treatment centres and port enforcement to stop fentanyl and guns.
How will you and your party approach the changing relationship with the United States?
Trade with the U.S. supports over 400,000 Canadian jobs, including many tied to Richmond’s ports, processors and small exporters. I’ll support diversified trade, protect supply chains and invest in clean energy manufacturing right here. We need stability—and a seat at the table—so Richmond’s economy stays resilient.
With threatened annexation by the U.S. president, do you and your party support an increase in defence spending?
We need smart investments to keep Richmond safe. That means hiring back the 1,100 border officers cut in recent years, upgrading cyber and port security and cracking down on fentanyl trafficking through YVR and Fraser Port. National security is vital—but so is keeping families housed, fed and healthy. I believe we can do both.
How will you support Richmond businesses and citizens in the face of uncertain economic times?
Richmond and Marpole have over 14,000 small and medium-sized businesses. From Aberdeen Centre to the independent shops in Marpole, local businesses are key to our economy and deserve real support. I’ll work to reduce processing fees, promote stable commercial rents and streamline access to federal programs. We’ll make sure local businesses have a fair and competitive opportunity to benefit from public contracts, especially those that contribute to community well-being and local jobs. I’ll also support measures that ensure fair pricing across the supply chain, so families and small businesses aren’t left absorbing rising costs alone.
Given the housing crisis, what should be done to get homes built faster?
The average home price in Richmond is $1.5 million, and rents top $2,700/month. That’s not sustainable. I’ll push to use federal land for affordable housing, streamline permits and stop investment firms from buying entire apartment buildings. Housing should be for people, not portfolios.
How will your party support renters?
Half of Richmond Centre–Marpole residents are renters.
Many are spending more than 50 per cent of their income on rent. I’ll fight for a national ban on renovictions, crack down on fixed-term lease loopholes and build non-profit rentals. People shouldn’t have to leave the neighbourhood they love just to afford a bedroom.
How will you and your party improve income support for seniors and people with disabilities?
One in five Richmond residents is a senior, and many live on fixed incomes. I’ll advocate for raising the Guaranteed Income Supplement and protecting pensions. For the one million Canadians with disabilities in poverty, I’ll push for full, immediate funding of the Canada Disability Benefit. No one should have to choose between medicine and groceries.
Canada’s overdose epidemic is a national crisis. What will you and your party do to combat this crisis?
Richmond’s overdose deaths have doubled since 2019. I’ll work to expand detox and recovery programs and provide wraparound mental health support. At the same time, we must increase enforcement at ports and stop the flow of toxic supplies before it reaches our streets.
How will your party improve the health-care system and support provinces to bring in more family doctors?
6.5 million Canadians—including many in Richmond—don’t have a family doctor. I’ll support training 30,000 new health workers, accelerating recognition of international credentials and expanding community health centres. With dental and pharmacare included, we can reduce pressure on ERs and make care more accessible for all.
📣 Got an opinion on this story or any others in Richmond? Send us a letter or email your thoughts or story tips to [email protected].
📲 To stay updated on Richmond news, sign up for our daily headline newsletter.
💬 Words missing in article? Your adblocker might be preventing hyperlinked text from appearing.
