Claire Preston wants to bring her young, progressive and passionate voice to Burnaby city council.
The 31-year-old is launching an independent bid for councillor in the Oct. 20 civic election.
A self-described “politically left” and “democratic socialist at heart,” Preston described the ruling NDP-affiliated Burnaby Citizens Association as “quite conservative.”
Preston said her campaign will focus on two main issues: the environment and housing.
“I’m a big believer in social housing,” she said.
The current council, made up entirely of Burnaby Citizens Association (BCA) members, has done far too little to ensure the preservation and creation of affordable rental housing, Preston said.
“Up until recently, the BCA have been not working towards ending the housing crisis,” she said.
If elected to council, Preston said she would push for the city to buy up land and partner with BC Housing to create new social housing in the city.
Preston said she has signed countless petitions, sent letters to politicians and has marched in rallies, including the March 10 protest against the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion that brought thousands to Burnaby.
Recently, however, Preston said she realized those efforts weren’t enough.
“I decided enough was enough was enough,” she said.
Mayor Derek Corrigan and the current council have, however, impressed Preston with their dogged opposition to the pipeline. She said she supports their decision to pursue a variety of court challenges to the project. (The NOW spoke to Preston before the Federal Court of Appeal ruled the National Energy Board’s consultation with First Nations was inadequate and quashed the federal government’s approval of the pipeline expansion.)
Preston said she has struggled to find the time to be more involved in politics, as she holds down three jobs – technical writer, fabric designer and food delivery courier.
“I work a lot,” she said.
Preston also said she hopes to bring a younger perspective to city council. Should she win a seat, she would likely become the youngest councillor and only millennial.
“It’s important to have a diverse group of people on the council so more people are actively represented,” she said.
Preston is the second independent council candidate to enter the race, after retired fire captain Rudy Pospisil. All seven sitting councillors are running for re-election, with current BCA school board trustee Baljinder Narang running to fill the seat left vacant by now-MLA Anne Kang. Burnaby First Coalition has named four candidates and the Green Party has nominated three people so far.
