Do you live in New Westminster-Burnaby-Maillardville? If not, where do you live?
I'm a proud resident of the New Westminster-Burnaby-Maillardville riding. Since emigrating to Canada from the U.K. in 1998, I've lived in Richmond, Burnaby and now Queensborough (since 2021).
What makes you the best candidate for New Westminster-Burnaby-Maillardville?
I have a strong connection with the residents of New Westminster-Burnaby-Maillardville. I’m a proud Canadian who believes in the values that make this country great: "freedom, hard work and community." I also understand that many of us are feeling the strain of rising costs, long health-care wait times, rising crime rates, the proliferation of hard drugs destroying our families and neighbourhoods and, a sense that our voices are not being heard. That's why I'm running—to fight for the residents of my riding.
What are the Top 3 issues in this federal election?
- Costs of living crisis is impacting us all — groceries, gas and housing have become unaffordable for too many residents. I will work for lower taxes, cut wasteful government spending, and make life more affordable. Canadians deserve to keep more of their hard earned money and a Conservative government will make that happen.
- Public safety. Crime is on the rise, and families deserve to feel secure in their neighbourhoods. We will support our law enforcement, crack down on violent and repeat offenders and ensure justice is served for victims.
- Drugs. B.C. has the worse overdose problem in Canada due to mainly fentanyl. Decriminalization made our cities and neighbourhoods unlivable — we’ve lost nearly 50,000 lives due to overdoses — this has to stop. We will invest money in recovery and treatment centres.
Many Canadians are deeply concerned about the ongoing threats of annexation and tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump. How would you and your party deal with this situation?
Canadians are right to be concerned about Donald Trump's threats to our freedom and tariffs. The Liberal government (assisted by the NDP) has made our country politically and economically weak. Even our military is under funded and needs updating. Canada will NEVER be the 51st state of the U.S., NEVER. We are proud Canadians.
We will promote policies that bring Canadians together, rather than divide them. National unity — respect provincial autonomy and work collaboratively with provinces.
The Liberal government has made us economically too reliant on the U.S. That has to change. We will improve and support our energy sector, including pipelines and natural resources development so that we can export to new international markets.
What would your party do to address housing affordability for residents in New Westminster-Burnaby-Maillardville?
Let's first acknowledge the housing affordability issue has been created by the disastrous policies of the Liberal government supported by the NDP. Our government has grown, hence bureaucracy has grown by a whopping 40 per cent leading to unnecessary and costly delays in housing permits. That has to change. We need to trim the government and empower municipalities and the private sector so that we can build more homes. There is a huge housing shortage, we need to build more affordable homes.
With the ongoing tariff concerns, what would you and your government do to protect Canadian jobs and ease the financial burden on consumers?
Our commonsense policies is to lower taxes so that hard working Canadians take more home to their families. We need to put Canadians first. It’s about the single mom working two jobs to put food on the table. It’s about a small business owner struggling to keep their doors open. It’s about the senior who’s worried about making ends meet. These are the people I’m fighting for, and these are the people the Conservative Party stands with.
The New West Record, Burnaby NOW, and Tri-City News will soon be closing. How will you and your party work to strengthen or change the Online News Act to ensure Canadians in communities of all sizes continue to have access to independent, trustworthy local information?
It's very sad to learn that well respected news outlets are closing. All Canadians deserve to have access to all local independent trustworthy news outlets.
Where can voters contact you?
Voters can call me directly at 604-771-7170 or reach out via the following avenues:
- Website: indypanchi.ca
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: indypanchi.conservative
- X: indypanchimp
Our campaign office is located at 624 Agnes St., New Westminster.
Editor's note: The Record/Burnaby NOW/Tri-City News sent this questionnaire to all candidates in New Westminster-Burnaby-Maillardville. Candidates were given an April 14 submission deadline.
