Teresa Wat: Richmond and the future of B.C.

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      In many ways, Richmond Centre represents the future of the Metro Vancouver.

      It is a vibrant international hub servicing the Asia-Pacific with key business, cultural, educational, and trade links.

      Canada really does start here. Our ties with China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, and the Philippines have raised Richmond’s presence in both business and cultural relations. We have become Canada’s Asia-Pacific centre of trade and transportation.

      The future is golden. But that future, and those vital links, depend heavily on the outcome of the provincial election on May 14.

      The choice is clear: move forward with a B.C. Liberal government, a balanced budget, a solid credit-rating, prudent plans, and support for business, and a made-in-B.C. job-creation plan that is already working and supporting families—as well as a future in which natural-gas development and exports to the Asia-Pacific region will bring B.C. a Prosperity Fund, to support health care and education, and bury the provincial debt.

      Or you can take a step backward to the time when B.C. actually became a have-not province under the NDP. To the time when B.C. had eight consecutive deficit budgets—and doubled the province’s debt. When B.C. suffered six consecutive downgrades of its credit rating, because of the worst fiscal record in Canada.

      That was also a time when the NDP imposed $2 billion in new taxes, giving us some of the highest taxes in North America. Businesses—in particular small businesses—were crippled with taxes and strangled with government red tape.

      Why do I want to represent Richmond Centre in B.C.’s future?

      Because of the three Richmond ridings, Richmond Centre is the one undergoing the most change. The city centre is becoming a leading-edge community to live, work, and play, thanks to a creative and committed mayor and council.

      As a new Canadian, who was given great opportunities in Richmond, and one who has had many opportunities to see and hear success stories about Richmond in my work in the Chinese-Canadian media, I feel I have a unique and broad perspective on Richmond’s development as an international centre of trade, culture, and education.

      I feel that I need to give back to the community that has been so good to me and my family. I know that I can contribute to the quality of life and to balanced business and cultural growth. Richmond has been blessed with MLAs who have helped make Richmond a better place. John Yap of Richmond-Steveston has done much to improve cultural and trade relations. Richmond East’s Linda Reid has stood up for Richmond in social services, health, and quality-of-life issues.

      And my predecessor in Richmond Centre, Rob Howard, helped to boost the city’s tourism business, create equitable taxation, and help YVR become more competitive.

      I am proud to join this team, and to pull for Richmond Centre and its people.

      Teresa Wat is the B.C. Liberal candidate in Richmond Centre. Wat is also the president and CEO of Mainstream Broadcasting Corporation (CHMB AM1320), and was named one of B.C.’s 100 most influential women by the Vancouver Sun in 2010.

      Comments

      10 Comments

      Richmonite

      Apr 9, 2013 at 6:51pm

      Then why aren't you living in Richmond? Same for the NDP candidate?

      RUK

      Apr 10, 2013 at 10:03am

      See, this is why I think that the Libs have a shot despite their many scandals: new Canadians don't give a fiddle for safe injection sites, transit, the atmosphere, or whatever else we who fancy ourselves progressive are on about this week. They care about establishing their businesses and creating security for their families and community, period. (Not an irrational goal, at all.)

      The pro-profit party will always have an edge in this demographic.

      604resident

      Apr 10, 2013 at 8:27pm

      None of the candidates live in the riding, so you have to vote based on principle and not location.

      Richmond residents

      Apr 10, 2013 at 11:43pm

      Teresa, thank you for your introduction. We don't know you. You look fresh and never heard of you in town. Did you do any social service for Richmond? Why are you running in Richmond? You and your family is not living in Richmond and you are talking about Richmond. Why Why Why??? Is it because Liberal always won in Richmond Centre. You are such an opportunist. I do not think you have heart in Richmond. Like many of my friends, I will vote for Gary who is a Resident and has been long time serving helping the Richmond community. I talked to 10 people. Only two persons will vote for Liberal in the election. I will say, Teresa you are in big trouble.

      P. Chan

      Apr 11, 2013 at 12:02am

      No,Wat from Liberal and Huang from NDP lives in Burnaby, but Law lives in Richmond.

      to 604 resident

      Apr 11, 2013 at 12:35am

      To 604 resident,You are wrong. One independent Candidate living in Richmond.
      Major Gary Law is a Commanding officer at the Richmond 2381 Cadets. He is living in Richmond for 22 yrs..

      peter aardvark

      Apr 11, 2013 at 9:14am

      the greatest increase in taxes I've seen is under the Liberals.
      Thanks to the 2 week olympic party that my kids will still be paying for, as a business owner my property tax in Richmond has more than doubled in a couple of years, with no corresponding increase in services. Speaking of debt why are taxpayers on the hook for a half a billion dollar plus stadium roof? In my books an even bigger fiasco than the fast ferries. Why not leave it to the private market? Sports and conferences make the big bucks anyway, why should BC taxpayers have to subsidize it.

      John.W.

      Apr 12, 2013 at 4:14pm

      Listen from the radio AM1470, you reason why you are not living in Richmond. Is because of your old age parents. If this is the reason. Why don't you run for MLA in Burnaby? Doesn't make sense. Then you will spend less time in traffic and spend more time with your parents. Such a long drive to Richmond. Agree with Richmond Residents "You are such an opportunist."

      Reality Chak

      Apr 27, 2013 at 5:59pm

      teresa wat was Glen Clark's Chinese media manager. as wat tells everyone her family suffered the so called 10 years of hell under the NDP regime in the 1990s, in fact she was not exactly telling the truth, because surely Wat did not find it so offensive that she had to quit working working for glen clark for five long years. in fact, she had a great time traveling with Glen Clark to China , building bridges for the Party she now condemns. she also spent all her time singing the NDP praises to Chinese immigrant voters. Funny how it did not occur to her that it was even a problem then! and yes, Wat does have a serious credibility problem in this election campaign, because rather than quitting her super powerful position of the woman who calls all the shots at one of the only two Chinese language radio stations in B.C. she decided to stay on as president of her radio station as well as running for the BC Liberals. It would be equivalent to the president of CKNW running for the Liberals. is there something fishy here? you bet!

      Gwen Tavares

      May 13, 2013 at 8:21pm

      I want to thank you as you were the only one who contacted us with regard to the up coming election, You have my vote..thank you