Question: How long have you lived in Burnaby?
Answer: I've lived in Burnaby for 16 years.
Q: Why do you think you are uniquely qualified to represent the riding?
A: I'm a lifelong organizer and as an organizer, I've learned how to listen to people, and I've learned how to listen between the lines and get a sense of what people are really thinking and feeling. And I am able to draw people out, and I think that's really important as an MLA to be able to know I really reflect what people want from government and also to feel empowered, that they can actually make a difference and want to participate in democracy.
Q: What would be your own personal priority as an MLA?
A: I think it's really important that the things that government does passes the filter of, does it build a sustainable economy and does it promote social equality? And that will be important to me, to always be checking that those things apply to our decisions and our policies.
Q: What accomplishment in your life are you proudest of?
A: I would have to say, the role that I played in organizing people in Burnaby North and throughout Burnaby to sign the petition that gave them the right to have a vote and turn down the HST (harmonized sales tax). That was actually a massive undertaking. I'm not only proud of the fact that we were able to get enough signatures, but that we did it in a way that organized people and let people feel like they were really participating in democracy.
Q: Who, in your life, has been a role model for you?
A: I would have to say my mother. My mother was a strong woman who taught me to stick up for myself and taught me to care about other people and taught me that as a member of the community you have to give back. So she's been one of my role models.
To view a video of the interview with Routledge, click here.
