The Burnaby NOW asked every candidate running for office in the OCt. 20 civic election to fill out a questionnaire. We hope this helps you make an informed decision at the ballot box.
Candidates were given strict word limits and a deadline to submit their answers. Those who missed the deadline will not have their questionnaires posted and answers exceeding word limits will be cut off.
More candidate questionnaires can be found here and more of our election coverage can be found here.
Name: James Wang
Current occupation: Advisor, Canada Export Centre
Tell us about yourself.
I came to Canada in 1996, and moved with my family to Burnaby almost 20 years ago. Twice elected a School Trustee, I was elected to Council in 2014 and serve on committees for: International Relations and Friendship Cities, Planning and Development, Public Safety and Sustainable City. I'm a founding member of the Chinese Ambassador Society for the Burnaby Hospital Foundation, Charter President of the Rotary Club of Dragon-Vancouver, and a 2014 winner of RBC's Top 25 Canadian Immigrants Award. I work to be a bridge between Burnaby's diverse communities, building harmony to improve our quality of life in Burnaby.
What are the top three issues in Burnaby right now and what would you do to fix them?
Housing. The provincial government has now given us the tools like rental zoning to protect the residents in our city. We need to care for all the people.
Community Safety. We’ve added to our safety budgets for things like improved lighting and more RCMP. We must continue to work with Burnaby citizens and listen to their voices.
Upgrading Burnaby Hospital. With provincial funding now becoming available we need to work as partners with the province to build as soon as possible. Community lead campaign for fund raising.
If you have run for office before, what have you learned? If you have not, why are you running now?
Working hard and listening is important for serving people and representing them, and the whole community. Moving from School Trustee to Councillor meant seeing a broader view. There are many more issues and all of them are connected. I work hard to continue learn how to be a better representative.
What is one achievement and one failure of Burnaby council in the last four years?
With 25 percent green space, Burnaby is the Lower Mainland's greenest city. It is also the most diverse. Decades of City Council planning made it happen, and council planning continued the last four years. Giving people a voice in the development of the city is an important part of this success. Our Sustainable City Advisory Committee's development of a strategy is an example for all the Lower Mainland.
Council worked hard on housing, but needed the power to make changes. Now, council has the tools from the province to make changes. We can now do more and improve housing affordability.
What makes you a good councillor?
Burnaby is one the most diverse cities in Canada. I’m a bridge in our multicultural society. I reach out because I want to ensure all citizens are represented in our government.
What movie is most relevant to your life and why?
The Sound of Music. It’s a family favourite. We watch it together, my wife and kids. We also have made a new second home in Canada, here in Burnaby.
How can voters reach you?
