politics
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Dec 15, 2025 – “Needles, Drugs, Poverty”: A Poster and What It Misses
I recently came across a poster that read “BC NDP stands for needles, drugs and poverty.” At first glance, it looked like a sharp political statement. But the longer I sat with it, the more it felt like something else. Not an argument, not even a critique, but a reduction. Three words were asked to Continue reading
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Dec 10th, 2025 – Reflecting on Human Rights Day: Beyond the Headlines and the Toxic Drug Crisis
On December 10th we mark the anniversary of the signing of the UN Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. Each year BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner invites us to pause, reflect, and engage with pressing issues that shape our collective life. Today I had the privilege of attending the Beyond the Headlines speaker Continue reading
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Nov 29, 2025 – From Encounter to Education: Listening to A’s Story
Recently, I had the privilege of meeting an individual; let me call them A for privacy. A came to Canada from Jamaica many years ago, carrying with them the hopes and resilience that so many newcomers bring when they begin life in a new country. As we spoke, A shared with me some of the Continue reading
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Nov 27, 2025 – Building Hope: Reflections on the Senior’s Housing Forum
Yesterday, St. Alban’s was privileged to host the Building Hope – Senior’s Housing Forum, organized by the Richmond Poverty Reduction Coalition. The forum brought together community members, advocates, and leaders with one shared purpose: to ensure that seniors in our city are not left without a place to call home. As rector of St. Alban’s, Continue reading
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Nov 20, 2025- What Does a Victory Look Like? A Shared Mandate for Compassionate Civic Solutions
When Surrey City Council recently rejected a proposed supportive housing project, it followed a rally of over a thousand people, primarily homeowners and business owners, who voiced their concerns with clarity and conviction. Some quickly celebrated the decision as a victory. One Richmond resident even posted, “Congratulations to the residents of Surrey for a well-deserved Continue reading
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July 8, 2025 – 🗣️ A Thoughtful Afternoon: Engaging with Government on Social Issues
This afternoon, I had the opportunity to visit downtown Vancouver and meet with Alex Chan, the Manager of Communication & Stakeholder Relations in the office of the Premier’s executive branch. I genuinely appreciate Alex—and his boss (whose name escapes me for the moment)—for their willingness to connect with me directly and give space for my Continue reading
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June 10, 2025 – When “Anti-Drug” Becomes a Tool for Inciting Hatred: Reflections on the Richmond Incidents
Recent videos circulating in Richmond have brought to light a disturbing phenomenon: individuals are deliberately provoking people who use drugs, recording their reactions, and then disseminating these videos online. Their aim appears to be to incite public disgust towards drug users, often linking it to racial issues. This type of behavior, disguised under the banner Continue reading
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March 13, 2025, – Beyond Housing: Leadership, Elections, and Richmond’s Uncertain Future
Last month, I wrote a letter to the Richmond News questioning whether the cancellation of the supportive housing project at Cambie and Sexsmith was truly a “victory for public opinion.” The letter sparked conversations among community members, and now, I feel compelled to offer a deeper reflection on what this decision means for our city Continue reading
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March 2, 2025,- “Welcome to Anglican Church”: Holding Space in the Midst of Contempt
Serving at St. Alban’s Friday Lunch program is always a humbling experience. It’s a chance to connect with our community, to offer a warm meal, and to share a moment of human connection. But sometimes, those moments are tinged with something other than warmth. Several days ago, a gentleman approached me with a familiar mix Continue reading
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Feb 9, 2025 – Reflecting on Inclusion and Challenges at Alan Hill’s Farewell Dinner
On February 8, we gathered to bid farewell to Alan Hill, the Inclusive Communities Program Coordinator at RMCS. The evening was filled with gratitude for Alan’s contributions and meaningful conversations about the ongoing work of inclusion in our community. One of the central topics of our discussion was the concern about racism in our community. Continue reading