Candidate Replies – Richmond Riding MLAs

1. Steveston’s historic fishing village is one of Richmond’s best-known heritage places, but far from its only one. What do you see as the Province’s role in protecting and supporting heritage in Steveston and across Richmond?

Steveston’s fishing village is the heart of Richmond’s heritage, and our local historic sites tell the story of our community’s roots. The provincial government has three key roles here.

First, stable, dedicated heritage funding. Many heritage societies and museums rely on short-term project grants only. As MLA, I will advocate for ongoing provincial operating funding, not just one-time grants, to maintain buildings, run exhibits and keep local heritage sites open year-round.

Second, protect heritage lands and buildings from overdevelopment. The province sets legislation and zoning oversight. We need balanced rules: we welcome reasonable growth, but historic structures like Steveston’s cannery buildings, fishing docks and heritage homes should get stronger provincial protection so they are not lost to redevelopment.

Third, partner with local volunteers and community groups. Most heritage work is done by volunteer-run societies. The province should reduce red tape for heritage non-profits, support youth and immigrant heritage programs, and promote Steveston and Richmond’s heritage sites as BC tourism assets.

Richmond’s heritage is not only Steveston. From old farm sites to early immigrant landmarks across Richmond, these places deserve provincial recognition and support. The province should work with the City of Richmond, local First Nations and volunteer groups together to preserve our shared history for future generations.
Short version (for questionnaire / social media)
The province must provide reliable long-term heritage funding, strengthen protection for historic buildings and sites against excessive development, and cut bureaucratic barriers for volunteer heritage groups. Steveston’s fishing village and Richmond’s other heritage landmarks are valuable community assets. The provincial government should collaborate with local governments, Indigenous communities and volunteers to preserve these sites and pass our shared history to younger generations.

2. With tariffs putting pressure on BC’s economy, do you see heritage and cultural tourism as part of the response? What would that look like in Richmond?

As MLA, I would push for provincial support focused on three practical actions in Richmond:

1. Provincial marketing funding to promote Richmond’s heritage sites alongside other BC tourist destinations, targeting both domestic and international visitors.

2. Infrastructure grants for safer walking trails, heritage signage, washroom facilities and accessible visitor amenities in Steveston and other heritage locations. This makes sites easier for tourists to visit and benefits local residents too.
3. Support local small businesses and volunteer heritage groups to develop cultural events, seasonal festivals and guided history tours. These low-cost initiatives bring visitors into our community, generate local spending, and create jobs without large high-density developments.
This tourism growth must be balanced. We will protect neighbourhood quality of life, avoid overcrowding, and keep the focus on celebrating authentic local history rather than mass commercialization. Cultural tourism is a win-win: it preserves our heritage while bringing stable, diversified local revenue to help buffer our economy against tariff shocks.
Yes, heritage and cultural tourism should be part of BC’s response to tariff pressures. Richmond’s unique history, especially Steveston, can attract visitors, support small local businesses and diversify our economy. I will advocate for provincial tourism marketing, heritage site infrastructure funding and support for community-led cultural events. Growth will be carefully managed to protect our neighbourhoods and authentic local heritage.

3. Would you support a provincial action plan or strategy for arts, culture and heritage, as the sector has called for?

Yes, I support a provincial arts, culture and heritage action plan. This plan should be built with community input, deliver stable multi-year funding, reduce bureaucracy for volunteer groups, and support Richmond’s heritage sites and local artists while growing responsible cultural tourism.

I support a community-led provincial arts, culture and heritage action plan with stable funding to protect local heritage and support artists.

4. Most of BC’s community museums, including those run by heritage societies here in Richmond, are small, volunteer-founded and run on project grants. Would you support a stable provincial operating program for them, separate from project funding?

Yes. I support a separate provincial operating funding program for volunteer-run community museums. Project grants only fund one-time initiatives. Stable core funding will help cover ongoing operational costs, cut red tape for volunteers, and keep Richmond’s local heritage sites open and accessible.

I support stable provincial operating funding for volunteer community museums, separate from short-term project grants.

5. Community events like the Steveston Salmon Festival and seasonal village celebrations depend on provincial event funding that has come and gone. Would you support restoring a stable fairs, festivals and events program?

Yes. I support restoring a stable provincial fairs, festivals and events program. Voluntary organizers of events like the Steveston Salmon Festival need predictable multi-year funding, instead of inconsistent short-term grants. Simplified paperwork will help these celebrations continue, strengthen community ties and support Richmond local businesses.

I support restoring stable provincial festival funding, so events like the Steveston Salmon Festival can plan ahead and thrive.

1. Steveston’s historic fishing village is one of Richmond’s best-known heritage places, but far from its only one. What do you see as the Province’s role in protecting and supporting heritage in Steveston and across Richmond?

The Province has an important role to play in protecting and supporting Richmond’s heritage, while working in partnership with the City of Richmond, First Nations, heritage organizations, museums and local communities.

Steveston is one of Richmond’s best-known heritage places, but our heritage extends far beyond the village. It includes our fishing and maritime history, agricultural lands, historic buildings, waterways, industrial heritage, cultural traditions and the stories of the many communities that have shaped Richmond.

As MLA for Richmond Centre, I would advocate for stable provincial support for heritage conservation, restoration, collections care, interpretation and public education. Provincial programs should also help smaller community organizations access funding and professional expertise.

Heritage preservation is not simply about protecting old buildings. It is about keeping our stories alive and making them accessible to future generations. That means supporting museums, cultural programming, educational opportunities and responsible heritage tourism.

I also believe heritage can contribute to a stronger local economy. By investing in heritage sites and programming, we can support local businesses, attract visitors and strengthen Richmond’s sense of identity.

The Province should be a reliable partner—providing long-term support while respecting local knowledge and decision-making. Richmond’s heritage is part of British Columbia’s story, and we have a responsibility to preserve it for future generations.

2. With tariffs putting pressure on BC’s economy, do you see heritage and cultural tourism as part of the response? What would that look like in Richmond?

Yes. I believe heritage and cultural tourism should be part of British Columbia’s response to the economic pressures created by tariffs and uncertainty.

Richmond has tremendous potential. Steveston’s fishing and maritime heritage, our museums and historic sites, cultural festivals, agricultural history, culinary traditions and diverse communities provide a distinctive visitor experience.

We should build on these strengths by encouraging visitors to stay longer and explore more of Richmond. This could include heritage trails, improved interpretation at historic sites, cultural and culinary tourism, stronger festival programming, and partnerships between museums, tourism organizations, restaurants, retailers, artists and community groups.

The Province can help by providing predictable funding, tourism marketing support, infrastructure investment and programs that allow smaller cultural and heritage organizations to participate in the visitor economy.

As MLA for Richmond Centre, I would advocate for better coordination between provincial tourism initiatives and local organizations. I would also support partnerships with Indigenous communities so that cultural tourism is respectful, authentic and community-led.

Cultural tourism is not simply about bringing tourists into Richmond. It creates opportunities for local businesses, artists and cultural organizations while giving residents opportunities to share and celebrate our history.

At a time when we need to strengthen and diversify our economy, investing in Richmond’s heritage and culture is an investment in local jobs, small businesses, community identity and long-term economic resilience.

3. Would you support a provincial action plan or strategy for arts, culture and heritage, as the sector has called for?

Yes. I would support a provincial action plan or long-term strategy for arts, culture and heritage.

British Columbia has a remarkable cultural sector, but many organizations face uncertainty because they depend heavily on short-term project grants. A provincial strategy should provide a clear long-term vision and greater stability.

The strategy should be developed in meaningful consultation with artists, cultural organizations, museums, heritage societies, Indigenous communities, municipalities and community organizations. It should address sustainable funding, cultural infrastructure, heritage conservation, arts education, accessibility, workforce development and cultural tourism.

For Richmond, the provincial strategy should complement local priorities and recognize the needs of our diverse and growing community. Our museums, heritage societies, artists, festivals and cultural organizations contribute to quality of life, education, community connection and our local economy.

Most importantly, a strategy must be supported by predictable, multi-year funding. Organizations need to be able to plan, retain staff and volunteers, maintain collections and facilities, and develop programs without facing uncertainty every year.

As MLA for Richmond Centre, I would advocate for a practical provincial strategy with clear goals, transparent funding programs and ongoing consultation with the sector.

Arts, culture and heritage are not optional extras. They are an important part of strong communities, economic development, tourism and British Columbia’s identity.

4. Most of BC’s community museums, including those run by heritage societies here in Richmond, are small, volunteer-founded and run on project grants. Would you support a stable provincial operating program for them, separate from project funding?

Yes. I would support a stable provincial operating program for community museums and heritage organizations, separate from project-based funding.

Many of these organizations were founded by volunteers who have devoted years to preserving local history. They care for collections, archives and historic buildings, provide educational programs and keep important community stories alive. Yet many operate with very limited resources and must rely on short-term project grants for ongoing needs.

Project funding remains valuable, but it should not be expected to replace core operating support. Community museums need predictable resources for staffing, insurance, utilities, building maintenance, collections care, accessibility and basic programming.

I would support developing a multi-year operating program with clear and transparent eligibility criteria and appropriate accountability for public funds. The program should recognize that small volunteer-led organizations have different administrative capacity from larger institutions.

In Richmond, this would help strengthen the organizations preserving our fishing, agricultural, industrial, maritime and multicultural heritage.

As MLA for Richmond Centre, I would work with the sector to develop a sustainable operating model that complements municipal and community contributions rather than replacing them.

Supporting these organizations is an investment in volunteers, local knowledge and the ability of future generations to understand where our communities came from.

5. Community events like the Steveston Salmon Festival and seasonal village celebrations depend on provincial event funding that has come and gone. Would you support restoring a stable fairs, festivals and events program?

Yes. I would support restoring a stable and predictable provincial fairs, festivals and events program.

Events such as the Steveston Salmon Festival and seasonal village celebrations are an important part of Richmond’s identity. They bring residents together, preserve local traditions, provide opportunities for artists and performers, attract visitors and generate economic activity for local businesses.

The challenge is that many community events depend heavily on volunteers and cannot plan effectively when provincial funding is uncertain or intermittent. Costs for insurance, equipment, venues, security, transportation and performers continue to rise.

A provincial program should provide predictable annual or multi-year funding, with a straightforward application process that is accessible to smaller community organizations. Funding should support established community events as well as new initiatives that strengthen community connections.

Provincial support should complement municipal and community contributions, not replace them. The goal should be to give organizers the certainty they need to plan ahead, build partnerships and maintain high-quality events.

As MLA for Richmond Centre, I would advocate for stable provincial support for community festivals and events.

Investing in these events is an investment in community life and the local economy. Richmond has a strong tradition of bringing people together, and the Province should be a reliable partner in preserving these traditions while creating opportunities for new cultural experiences.

Campaign website: bcgreens.ca/candidates-2026/luc-burns

1. Steveston’s historic fishing village is one of Richmond’s best-known heritage places, but far from its only one. What do you see as the Province’s role in protecting and supporting heritage in Steveston and across Richmond?

From SGang Gwaay to Craigdarroch Castle, to Fort Langley National Historic Site and the Gulf of Georgia Cannery, I believe the BC government should help conservation by means of providing both legislative protection and financial grants that go towards sites maintenance.

2. With tariffs putting pressure on BC’s economy, do you see heritage and cultural tourism as part of the response? What would that look like in Richmond?

Heritage is something that needs continuous maintenance and people, especially children, benefit greatly from being able to to revisit the past and connect to it. I don’t think tariffs change that picture.

3. Would you support a provincial action plan or strategy for arts, culture and heritage, as the sector has called for?

Yes, after watching my fiancee navigate the art grant space as a musician, I think an action plan sounds like a great idea.

4. Most of BC’s community museums, including those run by heritage societies here in Richmond, are small, volunteer-founded and run on project grants. Would you support a stable provincial operating program for them, separate from project funding?

For projects that have run for multiple years and received funding across all of them, we can absolutely create new ways of reducing bureaucracy and approval around funding.

5. Community events like the Steveston Salmon Festival and seasonal village celebrations depend on provincial event funding that has come and gone. Would you support restoring a stable fairs, festivals and events program?

Yes, although we would need to revisit amounts allocated and I would need support from the rest of the Legislative Assembly, I would be open to restoring the stable fairs, festivals, and events program that the NDP suspended in 2025.

Campaign website: www.BarryWosk.com

1. Steveston’s historic fishing village is one of Richmond’s best-known heritage places, but far from its only one. What do you see as the Province’s role in protecting and supporting heritage in Steveston and across Richmond?

All levels of government need to ensure heritage sites are protected and funded. The provincial government, specifically, should continually identify new heritage opportunities and work with organizations to ensure heritage assets are accessible and encourage public engagement.

2. With tariffs putting pressure on BC’s economy, do you see heritage and cultural tourism as part of the response? What would that look like in Richmond?

Yes. While tariffs deeply impact certain areas of the province’s economy, expanded tourism is one way to help offset those losses. Heritage & cultural tourism is already supported by the Province and already a key part of Richmond’s strategy.

3. Would you support a provincial action plan or strategy for arts, culture and heritage, as the sector has called for?

Yes. Such a plan would create an opportunity for everyone in the sector to discuss and align, enabling prioritization of provincial resources.

4. Most of BC’s community museums, including those run by heritage societies here in Richmond, are small, volunteer-founded and run on project grants. Would you support a stable provincial operating program for them, separate from project funding?

Yes. I would look for opportunities to transition from project funding to a stable operating program, empowering museums and other heritage organizations to best direct the funds.

5. Community events like the Steveston Salmon Festival and seasonal village celebrations depend on provincial event funding that has come and gone. Would you support restoring a stable fairs, festivals and events program?

Yes. Events and festivals are critical to our community. First, we need to reign in out-of-control spending by the provincial government, then we can look to restart a stable funding program for fairs, festivals, and events.