Richmond city councillor candidate Melissa Zhang says she would not increase taxes for more police and firefighters and supports several changes to housing and transportation policy.
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Melissa Zhang, running for Richmond city council on the Richmond Forward slate, provided yes-or-no responses to municipal questions published in an online candidate questionnaire series, alongside an introductory profile.
Zhang said she has lived and served Richmond for more than 20 years and listed community involvement with Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives, the Lions Club and the Steveston Historical Society. She said she is running because she wants to apply what she has learned to the city, citing concerns residents raised with her about safer streets, stronger protection for children from drugs, and reducing red tape and fees.
On public safety, Zhang said Richmond is a safe community but cannot take safety for granted. She proposed a prevention-focused approach she described as “Prevention, Partnership, Preparation and Participation,” including stronger Block Watch, youth drug prevention, working with the RCMP, emergency preparedness and safer roads, parks and neighbourhoods.
Asked whether she would increase taxes to pay for more police officers and firefighters, Zhang said no. She also said she would continue the city’s appeal of the Cowichan Tribes ruling and supports increasing reconciliation efforts with First Nations.
On housing, Zhang did not provide an answer to whether “new small-scale multi-unit housing (SSMUH) developments” are fitting into Richmond. She said yes to lowering fees for developers to support faster housing development and yes to allowing more City of Richmond-owned land to be used for affordable housing. She said no to continuing temporary modular housing contracts.
Zhang supported adding more bike lanes and said Richmond needs to reduce traffic congestion. She also said the city needs more buses.
On taxes and cost of living, Zhang said she supports lower property taxes and said the goal should be “to keep property taxes low and reserves strong while maintaining essential services through responsible spending and greater efficiency.” She said yes to more recreational facilities in Richmond and yes to increasing funding for arts programming.
On other policy areas, Zhang said no to more taxpayer-funded free community events and said she does not feel Richmond receives enough support from senior levels of government for housing, health and transportation. She cited Richmond Hospital, affordable housing, and transportation infrastructure, including the Massey Tunnel replacement.
Zhang said she would not reduce environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs) on private property, and she said no to allowing retail cannabis stores in Richmond. She supported more industrial or commercial development along the Fraser River waterfront and said yes to creating more low-cost or subsidized commercial space for local entrepreneurs and startups.
She also said Richmond should hold more public consultations before major infrastructure decisions.
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