TCCS Builds a Bridge Between Candidates and the Community
On October 4, the Tri-City Chinese Community Society (TCCS) hosted a Tri-Cities Municipal Election Candidates Meeting at the Coquitlam Centre Public Library. More than 50 candidates attended, filling the meeting rooms to capacity, with many residents standing in the hallway to listen. For the first time, TCCS also provided a Zoom livestream and volunteer translation support, allowing more residents to learn about the candidates and the issues that matter to our community.
Because of the large number of candidates, the meeting was held simultaneously in two rooms. The Port Coquitlam and Port Moody session was hosted by Jimmy Yan, while the Coquitlam session was hosted by Ernest Wu Hongtu. Each candidate was given five minutes to introduce themselves and share their views on issues of concern to the community.
Topics included community safety and the drug crisis, property taxes and the cost of living, municipal finances and public spending, education quality and teacher evaluation, as well as the constructive use of artificial intelligence in schools.
Bringing Community Concerns to the Conversation
Municipal elections may sometimes seem distant from everyday life, but the decisions made at the local level affect every family.
Community safety, public services, property taxes, municipal spending and the quality of education all have a direct impact on residents and on the future of our communities.
At the same time, residents do not always have an opportunity to meet candidates directly or hear different candidates explain their priorities.
This is why TCCS organized the meeting: to create a direct channel of communication between candidates and residents.
Although each candidate had only five minutes, the format gave them an opportunity to introduce themselves, explain their priorities and respond to issues that matter to the community. For residents, it was an opportunity to hear different perspectives and make more informed decisions before voting.
TCCS Vice Chair; Lily(红红）
TCCS does not make the choice for residents. Our role is to provide information, create opportunities for dialogue and help residents make their own informed decisions.
Making Community Participation More Accessible
This year, TCCS introduced a Zoom livestream for the first time, allowing residents who could not attend in person to follow the meeting online.
Volunteer translation support was also provided during the event to help residents from different language backgrounds better understand the candidates’ presentations.
For some members of the Chinese-speaking community, language can be a barrier to participating in public affairs. Providing translation support is one way to reduce that barrier and make election information more accessible.
This reflects an important part of TCCS’s approach to community service:
Community service is not simply about organizing an event. It is also about removing barriers and creating opportunities for more people to participate.
The Power of Community Volunteers
Behind every successful community event is a team of people who quietly give their time and energy.
The TCCS volunteer team played an important role throughout this event. From preparation and coordination to venue arrangements, candidate reception, translation, livestream support and on-site assistance, volunteers worked together to keep the event running smoothly.
With more than 50 candidates and two sessions taking place at the same time, the coordination required considerable effort.
Much of this work happens behind the scenes, but it is an essential part of making a community event possible.
TCCS believes that the strength of a community comes not only from an organization, but from every person who is willing to contribute their time and skills.
People of different ages and backgrounds came together to serve the community. Their volunteer spirit is one of the most valuable strengths of a healthy and connected community.
TCCS: More Than Events — A Commitment to Community Service
During the meeting, TCCS Chair Rena Lau thanked all of the candidates for participating and expressed appreciation to everyone who contributed their time and effort to the event.
As a non-profit and non-political community organization, TCCS has a long-term commitment to serving residents across the Tri-Cities, promoting community connections, cultural activities and communication among different groups.
For TCCS, community service means more than simply organizing an event or completing a project.
It means listening to the needs of the community, stepping forward when there is a need, and creating platforms where residents can access information, share their concerns and connect with others.
The Municipal Election Candidates Meeting is one example of this commitment. From contacting candidates and coordinating schedules to managing two meeting rooms, arranging translation support and introducing a livestream for the first time, the event required significant time and effort from the TCCS team and its volunteers.
These efforts may not always be visible, but they create a direct connection between residents and public affairs. They also give candidates an opportunity to meet the community and hear directly about residents’ concerns.
At the same time, TCCS remains committed to maintaining its independence as a community organization. The meeting provided candidates with an equal opportunity to speak and did not represent an endorsement of any individual candidate or political party.
TCCS’s role is to build the bridge — not to make the choice for the community.
Encouraging Greater Community Participation
One meeting cannot solve every community issue, nor can five minutes fully explain a candidate’s entire platform.
But this event took an important step forward: it brought candidates closer to residents, gave residents an opportunity to hear directly from candidates, and brought community concerns into the public conversation.
Strong communities require responsible government, but they also require engaged residents. They require candidates who are prepared to present practical solutions, and voters who take the time to learn, listen and make informed decisions.
As the municipal election approaches, TCCS encourages residents to stay informed, learn about the candidates and their platforms, and exercise their right to vote.
TCCS sincerely thanks all of the candidates who attended, the residents who participated, and especially Jimmy Yan, Ernest Wu Hongtu, the organizing team and every volunteer who contributed to the success of the event.
TCCS will continue to serve the community, build bridges between residents and public institutions, encourage participation in community affairs, and help ensure that the voices of the Chinese community are heard.
The future of our community belongs to all of us.
It starts with learning. It grows through participation.
