For over 25 years, Richmond Councillor Chak Au has dedicated himself to public service, advocating for safety, sustainability and cultural understanding. After immigrating to Canada from Hong Kong in 1988, Au initially worked as a mental health consultant with the Richmond Health Department. This role gave him unique insight into the struggles of immigrant families navigating cultural and linguistic barriers.
“I worked closely with families, schools and institutions,” Au recalls. “The pressures immigrants faced in adapting to a new system were immense. I saw firsthand the impact of cultural misunderstandings, particularly in schools.”
It was this experience that pushed Au to seek a role within the education system itself. In 1999, he ran for and became Richmond’s first bilingual (English and Chinese) School Trustee. Au recognized that immigrant families often didn’t understand how the education system worked, and schools were unprepared for the cultural challenges they faced.
“I realized I could do more by being part of the system,” he explains. One of his key achievements was establishing cultural interpreters in schools, a program that evolved into the Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) initiative.
“It helped immigrant families adjust to the education system and the community,” Au says.
In 2011, Au transitioned to city politics, becoming a City Councillor. Fluent in both Mandarin and Cantonese, he felt a strong responsibility to represent Richmond’s diverse population.
“Richmond was changing, and I wanted to ensure all voices were heard,” he says.
Au’s background as a family therapist played a critical role in shaping his political approach, especially when addressing controversial issues.
“In family therapy, you learn to listen to different perspectives and find common ground,” he explains. This ability proved essential during the heated debate over Chinese-only signage in Richmond in 2013. While many Councillors hesitated to address the issue, Au was the only one to insist it be resolved.
“Ignoring it would have only deepened the divisions,” he says. Drawing on his training, Au listened to concerns from all sides — those worried about a lack of English signage and others who valued the cultural significance of Chinese-language signs. His persistence led to the passage of a resolution requiring that at least 50% of signage be in English, a move that promoted inclusivity.
“It was about ensuring everyone in the community felt welcome,” Au adds.
Au has consistently emphasized open communication in his work, especially concerning difficult community issues. This approach was crucial when anti-Asian hate crimes surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Au led the effort to implement a zero-tolerance policy against racism in Richmond and developed a protocol for responding to hate incidents.
“We had to make it clear that racism has no place in our city,” Au says.
In addition to cultural and social issues, Au has long championed environmental sustainability. He was an early advocate for banning single-use plastics in Richmond, helping to position the city as a leader on environmental issues.
“Environmental sustainability is about leaving a better future for the next generation,” Au says. He also promoted textile recycling and supported the city’s circular economy procurement policy to combat waste.
Community safety has also been a consistent theme in Au’s career. Known for his independent thinking, he applies a research-driven approach to decision-making. In 2017, Au participated in a parliamentary hearing to oppose the legalization of cannabis, citing concerns over community safety. After legalization passed, he successfully lobbied for stricter regulations, leading to Richmond banning cannabis retail stores.
“My goal was always to ensure the safety and well-being of our community,” he explains.
Earlier this year, Au took a firm stand against a proposed supervised consumption site in Richmond’s city center. After conducting extensive research and considering the risks, Au voiced his opposition due to concerns about public safety. His stance helped raise public awareness and contributed to the provincial government halting the project.
“Balancing public health initiatives with community safety is critical,” Au says.
Reconciliation with Indigenous communities has been another priority for Au. In 2019, he introduced a motion to restore the First Nations bunkhouse at the Britannia Shipyards.
“This project wasn’t just about preserving a building; it was about honouring the deep cultural heritage of Richmond’s Indigenous peoples,” Au says. With Richmond’s immigrant population continuing to grow, he believes it’s important for newcomers to understand the history and heritage of the land they now call home.
In May, Au marked 25 years of public service with a celebration attended by over 400 people.
Reflecting on his career, Au says, “Public service has been a journey of building bridges — between cultures, between communities and between different generations. I’m proud of the work we’ve done together, but I know there’s more to do. I look forward to continuing to serve Richmond and finding solutions to the challenges we face.”
To learn more about Chak Au, his career and his plans for the future, visit richmond.ca/city-hall/city-council/members/ChakKwongAu.
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