The Richmond News gave all municipal candidates the opportunity to answer our questionnaire in order to introduce themselves to voters. These will be published online from Sept. 28 to Oct. 8.

Name: Dennet “The Cat Guy” Lee

Running for: Mayor

Slate/party affiliation: Independent 

Home neighbourhood: Candidate did not provide an answer.

Profession: Incorporated local business owner (23 years) and fitness trainer

Favourite hobby/pastime/leisure activity: Meeting new people and introducing friends to each other

Why are you running?

Richmond needs to celebrate diversity by collaborating to unify our strengths.

Richmond must balance evolution while maintaining its heritage.

Richmond needs to treat the city as a business where every single resident is a valued customer, an appreciated employee and a shareholder.

Politics is not about gloating, insulting or broken promises; it needs to be about letting others speak for you, giving credit and acting with integrity.

Richmond needs to listen with an open mind to citizens with life experience before answering “YES” or “NO” on any concern, issue or matter.

Role of the mayor 

To speak with courage, to act with honour and to serve with humility.

Mayoral candidate questions

Candidates were asked to give yes/no answers to a series of questions. If they didn’t answer, it is indicated with “Candidate did not provide an answer.” They could also answer three questions with 150-word answers.

1. Is Richmond a safe place to live, work and play? Candidate did not provide an answer.

2. Would you increase taxes to pay for more police officers and firefighters? No

3. Would you continue the city’s appeal of the Cowichan Tribes ruling? Candidate did not provide an answer.

4. Do you support increasing reconciliation efforts with First Nations? Candidate did not provide an answer.

5. Are new small-scale multi-unit housing (SSMUH) developments fitting into Richmond? Candidate did not provide an answer.

6. Should the city lower fees for developers to support faster housing development? No

7. Will you allow more City of Richmond-owned land to be used for affordable housing? Yes

8. Will you support continuing temporary modular housing contracts? Candidate did not provide an answer.

9. Do you support adding more bike lanes in Richmond? Candidate did not provide an answer.

10. Does the City of Richmond need to reduce traffic congestion? Yes

11. Do we need more buses in Richmond? Candidate did not provide an answer.

12. Do you support lower property taxes in Richmond? Yes

13. Do you support more recreational facilities in Richmond? Candidate did not provide an answer.

14. Will you increase funding for arts programming? Yes

15. Should Richmond have more taxpayer-funded free community events? Candidate did not provide an answer.

16. Do you feel Richmond gets enough support from seniors levels of government for housing, health and transportation? No

17. Do you support reducing environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs) on private property? Candidate did not provide an answer.

18. Do you support allowing retail cannabis stores in Richmond? Candidate did not provide an answer.

19. Do you support more industrial/commercial development along the Fraser River waterfront? Candidate did not provide an answer.

20. Do you support the city creating more low-cost or subsidized commercial space for local entrepreneurs and startups? Yes

21. Should Richmond hold more public consultations before major infrastructure decisions? Yes

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