Community. Belonging. Connection.

I truly, deeply love Vancouver. I still look at this city with bright eyes and fond memories of visiting Chinatown with my mom as a kid, visiting the VPL Central Branch as a teen, sitting on a log in English Bay before my first Battle of the Bands in the West End, or walking down the Drive on my way to Open Mic Night at Cafe Deux Soleils.

I understand the rich history of the communities that have built this city. From the labour unions who literally built this city, and still maintain our parks, streets, and libraries, to the Militant Mothers of Raymur and the Lesbian Kiss-In at Joe’s Cafe. Vancouverites have a rich and hard-won history that deserves to be accounted for and appreciated.

I have been an activist and community organizer for 20 years. Advocating, organizing, and leading within the spaces I’ve been honoured to be invited into. I have spent the better part of the last decade building safer spaces for my queer community. I have door knocked across Vancouver in every election, at all levels of government, from “Red Square” off the Drive to Fraserview to Kitsilano. What I hear in every instance has never changed: people want to feel heard by their Elected Officials, safe in their communities, and connected to each other and this city.

I want that for all of us. It is time for a City Council that listens to residents, appreciates our city’s deep cultural history, and is committed to building a future where we can all thrive. I believe that I am that person, and I would be honoured to represent you as OneCity’s next City Councillor.

My goals are clear:

• work with city staff to develop a budget that puts community safety first: invest in parks and community spaces that provide safe and well-maintained places to connect, meet neighbours, and even use a washroom when needed;

• ensure we are appropriately staffing our services including re-opening the conversation with library workers regarding adding social workers to support their work;

• protect and invest in our public workers by protecting jobs from AI dependence;

• develop housing policies that show real leadership on affordability and accessibility across the province, like reopening the renters advocacy office and giving that office enforcement powers, and approving low-density building across the city.

It is time for leadership that isn’t afraid to disrupt the status quo. It is time for leaders who can dream big and have the courage to act on those dreams. Who lead with heart, and with a deep commitment to the people they serve.

We can have that city councillor. I’d be honoured to represent you.