Question: How long have you lived in Burnaby?
Answer: First time I lived in Burnaby was 1973. After living here for a couple of years, moved to Surrey, back to New Westminster then to Victoria and ... since 2000 living back in Burnaby again.
Q: Why do you think you are uniquely qualified to represent the riding?
A: I have been MLA for Burnaby-Edmonds since 2005. I have the experience. I have had the opportunity and privilege to meet with so many different people. Burnaby-Edmonds is a very diverse community. You really need to be there to learn their issues, know what they think, what they want.
Q: What would be your own personal priority as an MLA?
A: Well to be the voice of people. Since 2005 I have been very vocal, talking about people's issues, seniors, students, women's issues, equality issues, social justice issues, in the community as well as in the legislature. I have been looking forward to continue to be that voice for people.
Q: What accomplishment in your life are you proudest of?
A: There are so many. Well, since 2005 I started representing people in Burnaby. We have had so many people walking through the MLA's office door who have had different issues, different concerns, but I just remember one story.
At one time there was a lady who was taken to hospital. She was an elderly lady, on low income. After about three or four days after being in hospital she was brought back to her house, during that time she lost her dentures. When she came home, she contacted her social worker and asked either to find her dentures or give her new dentures.
The government staff told her, "Sorry, no, you just had your new dentures only a few months ago. We can't do it. What we will do, we will buy you a blender so you can liquefy your food and you can drink it."
A 79-year-old lady drinking her food was not very healthy. So she was losing weight and she was really concerned about her health, so she contacted my office in Burnaby, and that day I was in the legislature in Victoria when my staff told me about that story, and I called her back, spoke with her, then I immediately raised that issue with the minister responsible.
Within two hours she was told she would get her new dentures.
Q: Who, in your life, has been a role model for you?
A: Well, I would say, my sister. I was quite young when my mom passed away.
At that time my older sister, she was in her final year doing her master's.
So, basically she adopted me and my other younger brothers and sisters, and she decided not to get married. ... So she is my role model.
