BC Green candidate Luc Burns says his platform for Richmond-Queensborough focuses on housing supply, healthcare changes at Richmond Hospital and improved transit options.
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Luc Burns, the BC Green Party candidate in Richmond-Queensborough, answered a 50-word questionnaire with positions that range from provincial housing policy to dike planning and road improvements.
On housing, Burns said he “largely” supports Bills 44 and 47, which would require municipalities to allow single-family homes to be rezoned for four to six housing units and other high-density zoning, while questioning the reduced parking requirements in Bill 47. He said high-density building should not occur in areas with elevated liquefaction risk and should not encroach on B.C.’s limited agricultural land.
For healthcare in Richmond, Burns said the BC Greens would increase funding to improve nurse-to-patient ratios at Richmond Hospital. He also said the party would centralize surgical referrals rather than continue distributed lists, aiming to reduce wait times.
Burns linked social disorder to housing and mental health support, saying that even after a public health emergency was declared, “unaffordable housing and scarce mental health support still fuel the crisis.” He said the BC Greens would address healthcare shortages and unmet housing needs “to stop the cycle at its source.”
To help unhoused residents, including seniors, Burns pointed to public housing, saying “Government-built public housing has worked incredibly well for Singapore.” He said the BC Greens would build 26,000 permanently affordable, non-market homes each year and make it easier and quicker to build all forms of housing.
Burns said he would support Richmond businesses by streamlining small business approvals with simpler forms and clearer timelines, installing province-wide commercial rent protections, and encouraging public institutions—“where possible”—to buy local products.
On flood protection, Burns said the province advises communities to plan for one metre of sea level rise by 2100 and that Richmond’s multi-phase plan covers its 49 km of dikes. He said he would keep the program on track by pushing for predictable, multi-year funding rather than project grants year after year.
For traffic, Burns said the BC Greens wish to provide free public transit for all. He also said he would push to remove left turns on main thoroughfares that lack dedicated turn lanes or advanced greens, and add pedestrian overpasses to reduce long light cycles.
Regarding infrastructure, Burns said he supports continuing the Massey tunnel replacement project that is currently in progress, adding that he does not want further delays and that timely completion of the expanded tunnel would improve commutes for residents of Richmond and Delta to the south.
On reconciliation, Burns said there is “lots of misinformation” and argued the Cowichan Tribes are not displacing private homeowners on land already sold. He said he understands the parties are seeking remediation and recognition of fishing and traditional rights along the Fraser, and he would press to negotiate for “mutual understanding and collaboration.”
For taxes, Burns said the BC Greens are not targeting higher-income earners, but would create an annual tax on net wealth above $50 million under the Fair Share Tax Act. He said the tax begins at 2% and could generate approximately $5.4 billion each year, which he said would fund healthcare, social housing and public infrastructure.
To balance economic growth with environmental protection in Richmond’s logistics hub, Burns said the supply chain and logistics sector is vital and argued clean energy technology is improving, including electric commercial vehicles such as the Tesla Semi. He said promoting electrification over fossil fuels “wherever possible” would help slow the climate crisis.
Burns said he would support community services such as community centres and non-profits by streamlining long-term, continuous operations with stable, multi-year provincial funding, and cited examples including dike projects, museums and festival funding.
Burns described his background as working in quality assurance in Richmond and holding a BASc in Materials Engineering from UBC. He said he takes transit to work, recycles when possible and shares an electric vehicle with his fiancée, and he also said he is a union job steward and serves on his building’s strata council. The questionnaire answers were slated to be published online from Oct. 12 to Oct. 17.
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