Lenny Zhou (周楠) | Ep. 2: From Beijing to City Council
https://youtu.be/i5axtOehnVI
(Transcript from the episode's English subtitles; speakers not labelled. Host: Sarah Yu.)

[0:00] A student from Beijing
My story, anywhere in the world, in any other country, it couldn't happen. Only in Canada, only in Vancouver, which is so inclusive. Where are you from? I'm from Beijing. From Beijing. You've been here, I'd guess, 20-plus years? Right. I came abroad as a student. 20 years ago, I came to Vancouver as an international student. Back then—can you tell us? Back then, you'd graduated... just graduated over there, right? Just graduated in China? Yes. I did my undergrad in China. Then your situation is similar to mine. Yes, very similar. I also finished university in China, and then came here to study. Yes, it was the same for me. In China, after finishing my undergrad, I came here for grad school. I did a master's, and after that, I stayed here. I also came as an international student to an unfamiliar environment, didn't know anyone, and back then my English wasn't good either. and then, step by step, up to now, as a Vancouver city councillor. Your English must be very fluent now. Yes, well, that's now. It's been so many years, after all. But I'm just saying, my experience— then later, through our democratic system, being elected, in Vancouver's history, as the first city councillor from mainland China. You're the first, right? The first, the first. From the mainland. I was thinking about this yesterday, too. I also wanted to ask you: do you count as one of several, or the only one? In Vancouver's history, there have been 13 in total, counting me: 13 Chinese Canadian city councillors. But the previous 12 all had Hong Kong or Taiwan backgrounds. So I'm really grateful to Vancouver and Canada. It's this diversity and inclusion that made my story possible. So I'm also especially grateful to those who, before me, came to this city, came to this country. I feel that without our Chinese immigrants, generation after generation, working hard, I wouldn't be where I am today.

[1:29] Why politics
So what twist of fate led you into politics? Well, I've always been interested in politics. So after I came to Canada, finished my studies and stayed on to work, I'd been volunteering all along, supporting other candidates, helping them campaign. Then in 2021, Ken Sim's team approached me, hoping I'd run for city council. At the time, I was reluctant. Why? Because I'd be giving up a lot. Back then, I'd just had a baby, my one and only child. We'd only just had our baby in November 2021. At the time, I felt I'd have to give up far too much, and my child was still so young. But later, I was truly moved by Mayor Ken Sim's vision. He really wanted to make this city better. I also worried about my child growing up in Vancouver: later on, could they find a better job? Could they afford a home? Would they face racial discrimination? So actually, I was moved by his sincerity, and in 2022, I decided to step up and join him in running for Vancouver city council. So over these four years, do you feel you've made sacrifices, or felt a sense of accomplishment? Both, of course: sacrifices and a sense of accomplishment. I believe this city, in my view, has become better, and that's a very good thing. Because a better city isn't just for my child, it's for everyone.

[2:36] 15-hour days
In these four years in office, how many hours a day do you work on average? Honestly, the hours are very long. No exaggeration: I work 15 hours a day, at least six days a week, sometimes seven, with no rest at all, because weekends are even busier, with all kinds of events to attend. My longest stretch, I remember, was 32 days in a row without a single day off, working 15 hours a day.

[2:59] Chinese names on the ballot
A while ago, I remember seeing a news post from you about how, on the ballot, you added your own name in Chinese. And before that, this may have been opposed, and then you actually took it to the Supreme Court, was it? The BC Supreme Court. The BC Supreme Court. Then, after a hearing, it was approved. That's great. For us Chinese Canadians, winning more rights is a really big step. So I think this is very good not just for our Chinese community but for all minority communities. Especially for us first-generation immigrants. We weren't born in this country. We already had our names where we came from. If we want a new generation of immigrants to take a better part in politics, and in public service, then we should create better conditions for them.

[3:44] The pressure of being first
How do you motivate yourself every day? I think, actually, the pressure I put on myself is pretty high. The pressure I put on myself, because since I'm the so-called first city councillor from mainland China, if I don't do a good job, then maybe in the future, for us Chinese Canadians, especially Chinese who came from the mainland, especially first-generation immigrants, getting into politics would be very hard. So I have to... From my point of view... Because you're the first. And as the first, you also have to be the benchmark. Right. So I put a lot of pressure on myself to be a good role model. And you really have done a great job already. No, there's still a lot I need to do better. I'd only give myself... if 10 is a perfect score, I think I'd only give myself a 7.

[4:17] Four years of grey hair
In these years, especially these four, do you feel it's taken a physical toll on you, or not? A lot of people say that in the past— four years ago, my hair was still black. Now, there's lots of grey hair. I look older. A lot of people don't know I was born in the '80s. You were born in the '80s? We should shake hands. I was born in the '80s too. Yes. Right. So there probably is that kind of effect. But I think making the city better now, it's worth it.