The federal Liberals have nominated a candidate for the riding of Steveston-Richmond East – although an election has yet to be called.
Richmond resident and Kwantlen Polytechnic University instructor Parm Bains was nominated as the candidate during a virtual nomination meeting on July 17.
Bains – who also ran for Richmond city council in 2018 – said he was motivated to run after seeing the challenges brought on and highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
That includes gaps in mental health supports – particularly for young people – and issues of affordability.
“I teach, so I see the anxiety levels that young people have and not knowing what’s in store for the future,” Bains said.
He added that one of the “huge gaps” in the system that needs addressing is the long wait times faced by many in need of mental health support.
The Liberal candidate moved to Richmond from Victoria when he was a year old, and grew up in the Shellmont area “literally on a soccer pitch in South Arm Park.” He still lives in Shellmont with his wife and two children, and coaches soccer in the city.
“I was fortunate enough to live (in Richmond) my whole life, raise a family here, and I think it’s a great community for that. So I just want to ensure that the other young professionals and young people, moving forward, have that same opportunity.”
Prior to teaching at KPU, Bains worked as a media and public relations officer with the provincial government, and said both of those experiences give him “the ability to navigate through various levels of government.”
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Bains was involved with anti-youth violence efforts to combat issues of gang violence, and spent time mentoring youth and now provides advice to groups working on those issues. He also currently serves as the vice-chair of the Richmond Community Foundation.
There has been widespread talk that the ruling Liberal party will call an election for the fall.
The Steveston-Richmond East seat is currently held by Conservative MP Kenny Chiu, who beat incumbent Liberal MP Joe Peschisolido in 2019. He previously told the Richmond News that he plans to run for re-election.
The NDP named retired teacher Jack Travato as their candidate to run in that riding.
–With files from Maria Rantanen
