【𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗜𝘀 𝗡𝗼 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲.

【𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗜𝘀 𝗡𝗼 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲.】 ♦️The Journey from Ordinary Citizen to Public Service♦️

There was a time when I never imagined running for public office.

Before late 2025, I was simply a husband, a father, and a businessman. Like many people, I believed that if I worked hard, cared for my family, and obeyed the law, I had fulfilled my responsibility as a citizen. Politics was never part of my life.

In recent years, I have watched communities across Metro Vancouver face an increasingly serious drug crisis, with growing impacts on public safety and the daily lives of residents. In late 2025, one community was confronted with an important proposal that was about to go before City Council, leaving residents only a few days to respond. Many people wanted to take part, but they did not know where to begin or how to make sure their voices were truly heard.

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗲𝗩𝗼𝘁𝗲, a community initiative dedicated to helping ordinary citizens participate in democracy peacefully, respectfully, and effectively. WeVote was never created to support any political party or candidate. It was created because I believed every resident deserves to be heard.

What started as a small grassroots effort quickly grew into something much bigger. Together, we organized peaceful community campaigns, mobilized thousands of residents, collected thousands of petition signatures, and worked alongside communities across Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, New Westminster, White Rock, Vancouver, and many other parts of British Columbia.

Along the way, I met people from every background. Although our experiences were different, the hopes we shared were remarkably similar: safe communities, accountable government, meaningful public consultation, and a better future for our children.

Those experiences changed the way I see public service.

I came to believe that democracy is more than voting every four years. It requires leaders who listen before they decide, governments that remain accountable, and citizens who are encouraged to participate. I also came to believe that safe communities are the foundation upon which families, businesses, and democracy can truly flourish.

Those convictions ultimately led me to one decision.

𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗔 • 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗱.

I am not running because I am a career politician. I am running because I believe public office is a responsibility, not a privilege. If elected, I will continue to serve with the same values that have guided me from the very beginning: integrity, transparency, accountability, public safety, and respect for democratic participation.

My commitment is simple: to put residents first, to help strengthen our local economy, and to contribute to building a Richmond that is safer, stronger, and prepared not only for the next election, but for the next generation.

I am still the same ordinary citizen I was before.

The only difference is that I chose not to remain silent.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I hope to earn your trust, your support, and the opportunity to serve our community.

𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗻𝗴 • Community Advocate • Founder of WeVote • ARCA Candidate for Richmond City Council

Source: Advance Richmond Facebook community update. View original post on Facebook