The NOW asked all Burnaby candidates to submit a profile to help readers learn more about them.
The following is a profile of BC NDP candidate in Burnaby South-Metrotown Paul Choi.
Name
Paul Choi
Current occupation
Lawyer
Short biography
Paul Choi is a lawyer, former first responder, and small business owner. He served as President of the Burnaby North Road Business Improvement Association and on the Board of Governors at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. His passion for community service drives his dedication to making Burnaby a better place.
Why are you running for provincial office?
I’m running for the BC NDP to continue my lifelong commitment to public service and make a real difference for the people of Burnaby South-Metrotown. Growing up, I helped my parents run a small grocery store, where I learned the value of hard work and the challenges faced by everyday families. As a former police officer and lawyer, I’ve experienced first-hand how governments can impact public safety, housing, and healthcare. Throughout my life, I’ve worked to support my neighbours, but I want to do more. I believe in the work done so far by David Eby and the BC NDP and joining his team allows me to advocate for policies that will continue to make our community stronger, safer, and more affordable for everyone. I believe my practical experience working on the streets and in courtrooms will offer valuable insight in the policy-making process.
What are the top three issues facing Burnaby today, and what are your plans to address them?
Burnaby faces several issues that need urgent attention with health care, housing and public safety at the forefront. I hear on the doorsteps that healthcare is a top priority. Our communities are growing, our family members are aging, and many health care workers are retiring. The BC NDP has made significant progress by hiring over 800 family doctors in the last year alone. We’ve also opened the Metrotown Urgent Primary Care Centre in Burnaby and invested in the Burnaby Hospital redevelopment.
BC is a great place to live, but housing is too expensive. The BC NDP’s Housing Action Plan is tackling housing costs by taking on speculators, placing restrictions on short-term rentals, and cutting red tape to get more homes built faster. Experts say the plan will deliver 300,000 more middle-class homes in the next decade. We have also introduced a new plan to provide financing for up to 25,000 units over the next five years through partnerships with the non-profit and private sectors. BC Conservative leader John Rustad was part of a government that ignored the growing housing crisis as prices spiralled out of reach.
On the issue of public safety, everyone deserves to feel safe in their community. The BC NDP has hired over 250 police officers and worked with police to launch new specialized teams to go after gangs, guns and drugs. We’re taking action to ensure people face the consequences for violent acts and that there are strong intervention services to tackle root causes.
What is your housing situation? Are you a homeowner, renter or something else (describe)? Do you own rental property/properties?
I am a homeowner.
Contact information
- Website: https://paulchoi.bcndp.ca/
- Campaign office phone number: 778-888-9266
- Campaign office address: #100-4900 Kingsway
- Social media handles and hashtags:
- Paul Choi BC - Facebook
- @PaulChoiBC - Twitter/X
- paulchoibc - Instagram
