A group of volunteers gathered at Lansdowne Centre on Saturday to encourage the local Chinese-speaking community to vote in the upcoming federal election.
“Richmond Centre had the lowest voter turnout in the last federal election,” said Ivan Pak, one of the Chinese Canadians Go To Vote volunteers at Lansdowne Centre.
“It’s time to get out to fulfill your responsibility as a citizen.”
The volunteers were part of a campaign to spread the message of “your vote matters” to the local Chinese-speaking community.
Richmondite Ally Wang, the campaign’s organizer, told the Richmond News ahead of Saturday’s effort that heading to the streets to remind people about the importance of voting is more powerful than sitting at home and sending texts to friends and family.
“Just imagine if you are sitting on your couch, watching TV, and my message comes in, asking you to head to the voting booths on Sept. 20. You would probably roll your eyes and ignore it,” she previously told the News.
“Some cars might honk at you, and some people will talk to you. These social interactions will give immigrants a sense of belonging that they are members of society, rather than guests.”
In addition to Lansdowne centre, volunteers gathered from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Richmond-Brighouse Canada Line Station, Yaohan Centre, Aberdeen Centre and Richmond Centre.
The federal election is Monday, Sept. 20.
