Chris Qiu (仇云霞) | Part 2: Loved, So She Gives Back
https://youtu.be/z_zPKV2n7Ms
(Transcript from the episode's English subtitles; speakers not labelled. Host: Sarah Yu.)

[0:00] Highlights
Because we hope to be a living, vibrant candidate — not someone who just shows up and reads out a platform, right? Right, right. That creates distance. A lot of residents actually want to hear a real voice. Yes. The next day, when he sent me the photo, I was moved to tears. You know, we really have to yourself, be the best of yourself. Be who you are, be your best self, and let yourself shine.

[0:30] Family support
As a woman running for office, when you first ran eight years ago, did your family object, or put any obstacles in your way? No, I've been quite lucky in that respect. My family has been very supportive. How is running this year different from eight years ago, in terms of mindset? First, I'd like to say to everyone who has stepped up to run, I want to say they are truly brave, because when you run, you put yourself in the public eye. That in itself takes courage. So I think family support in particular is very important, because this road is hard to begin with. Without family support, the road is bound to be even harder. Yes.

[1:12] Did she ever want to quit?
Chris, you just mentioned that your family is very supportive. We think you're really lucky. Many of my friends' families are against it, because in politics you're exposed to the public eye, right? You have to take responsibility, make all kinds of commitments, and show what you can do for the community. It takes a lot of courage to step forward. Over such a long time preparing for the campaign, were there any low moments? Times you felt depressed, or wanted to give up? That's a great question. Actually, every one of us, not just because of a campaign, but with pressure from work and life, everyone has their low moments. And especially in politics, when Chinese women step forward, they face even more pressure, no doubt about it. They'll definitely face more challenges. So yes, there were low moments, but I've been pretty lucky, because I have so many positive friends. The encouragement from friends, to me, is priceless. It can carry you through any darkness. Sometimes I feel so grateful. I think, how did I get so lucky? I'm just an ordinary person. What did I do to deserve so many friends standing with me, supporting me unconditionally?

[2:30] A box of cookies
It's truly moving. Sometimes, at the campaign office, it's lovely, someone comes to pick up signs to help, asks what else to do. "Don't go hungry, I brought you a box of cookies." "Make sure you eat on time." Just a simple word of care, but it gives you endless strength. Of course, my decision to run came

[2:53] Friends who showed up
quite late. By September, I had little time to prepare, so things were a bit rushed. But my friends would all come to me and ask, "What do you need help with? Tell me what you need. Just tell me, and I'll get right on it. Do you need a driver? Someone to put up signs? Fundraising? Something else? Just say the word. I know you're busy. I'll take care of it." I'm truly grateful.

[3:19] The elder in Chinatown
Along the way, for example, there's an elder in Chinatown He's actually quite influential in his circle. Once he saw and said, "I'll put up a sign for you." After you gave him the sign, he very carefully placed it in his shop, in a really prominent spot. For that, he took his glass display window, which was old and maybe not very neat or tidy... The next day, when he sent me the photo, When I dropped it off, it looked one way. The next day, when he sent me the photo, I was moved to tears, you know? He cleaned it spotless. He took the glass out and set my sign inside. He said, "I can't put it outside, it'll get stolen. and I'll keep it safe." had he known you for a long time?

[4:04] Support from a stranger
We hadn't known each other long. When we met, it was our very first meeting. And he used his own real, practical actions, whatever he could do, to genuinely support me. It seems your good deeds have already lit up many lives. And word spreads, from one to ten to a hundred, and then even strangers join in to support you.

[4:24] A handwritten red couplet
He even added a red couplet, handwritten, like at Chinese New Year, wishing me a win. That couplet was put up right there — so festive. So different from the afternoon before, when I dropped it off. Next day he sent me a photo. I said, "Oh my goodness." I said, a gesture like this must take him at least two or three hours. For an elder like him to be willing, for a younger person, to support me like that, it's truly heartwarming. The older people are, the wiser they are. They can see what lies beneath, whether someone's intentions are genuine. When he senses that, he's willing to do something for what's genuine, to contribute in his own way. Yes.

[5:07] The power of warmth and love
And today he asked on his own where to vote tomorrow. "I'm voting tomorrow," he said. "Tomorrow I'll rally my friends to vote too." I'm so grateful. This campaign has actually been a really good experience, letting you feel the power of all this warmth and love, and it'll strengthen your resolve to serve the community.

[5:28] First priority: public safety
In this race, do you think if you're elected, what's the first policy you'd want to push, or which Park Board policy would you carry out? Which measure do you think is most needed? Personally, I'd still say public safety. Public safety. Because safety affects the quality of life of every one of us. If your parks and streets aren't safe, no matter how good the community centre, no one wants to go, no one dares to go, right? If your community isn't safe, the economy can't do well either, because the business environment suffers. For example, when Chinatown was rough, people just wouldn't go there. Over the last four years, with our reforms, Chinatown has improved a lot, and people are slowly coming back. It's all connected. That's why, as Mayor Ken Sim has said, if Vancouver could do only one thing, we'd definitely focus on public safety. because it's a crucial foundation for the stability and prosperity of our whole society. You're absolutely right. A few years ago, an Asian girl in Burnaby's Central Park, that incident, right? And also, the public safety issues in Vancouver you just mentioned really are affecting all our communities now. Every community.

[6:44] Cleaning up with her kids
Let me give you a simple example. We had a charity project, the Leo Club, where I was an advisor for three years. We'd take the kids to pick up litter in the neighbourhood. We did it every fall. In just two hours, cleaning up around one neighbourhood, when you check the bags at the end, you'd find at least twenty or thirty needles. Think about it, needles scattered in parks, right? Near schools, they could prick a child, a pet, a senior, anyone. None of that is okay. It's very, very dangerous.

[7:22] A mom of three
Your three kids are all in university now, right? All in university. In terms of your parenting philosophy, what do you think is most important to nurture in children? I think our kids are probably much like anyone else's, because Canada's system raises kids to be quite well-rounded. Maybe what sets ours apart is that because of my involvement in politics, they've absorbed it growing up, so they care about the community, and like to take part in charity work and volunteering. Especially when they were little, many people asked me, "You're already so busy, how do you find time for all this?" I said, "It's simple. My secret is, I bring them along."

[8:10] Teenagers who respect their mom
Getting them involved is great, especially teens. Young people have their own ideas. Because you've brought them along since they were little, their teenage struggles are smaller. They're always with you, so they see Mom gives a lot to the community, and they respect you from the heart. Because in adolescence, sometimes they feel they're all grown up: "I don't need to listen to you anymore." But if you often take them out into the community, they'll observe, and deep down they'll respect you. So our kids haven't had much teenage conflict. Some, of course, but not much. Right. So it seems that's part of your parenting philosophy: bringing your kids to serve the community.

[8:46] Be yourself
Yes, yes, yes. And I also often encourage them. I tell them our society is diverse. You can't make everyone like you, that's just hard. But always be yourself, be the best of yourself. Be who you are, be your best self, and let yourself shine. Then, naturally, you'll build a circle of friends full of positive energy. As for people who don't like you, just let them keep their distance. Right. So powerful. Be yourself. Yes, this really is... Only such a wise mother could raise such outstanding kids. Talking with you today, I've learned so much. Thank you.