Chris Qiu 仇云霞Interview collection

Chris Qiu (仇云霞) | Part 1: Eight Years of a Community Mom

https://youtu.be/bIJaeQ8XmYQ

(Transcript from the episode's English subtitles; speakers not labelled. Host: Sarah Yu.)

[0:00] A community mom of three

I feel that my past ten years in the community I've had plain, simple long hair. My daughter and I take turns donating. We've donated for ten years — ten times. My name is Chris Qiu. This year, with ABC Vancouver, I'm running for Vancouver Park Board. I remember you were behind the scenes too. Behind the scenes for all eight years. Right. Can you share some experiences or little stories? what most people see of me is my community work. Maybe because I have three kids, people often see me around the community, volunteering with my kids, attending events, including at schools. My kids go to three different schools, so I know a lot more parents than the average parent does. A family with two kids might send them to one school, but mine, especially in high school, are spread across different schools in Vancouver. So eight years ago, why did you run for School Board? Was it the hope that by running, you could learn and understand local education policy, and use your own efforts to serve the community? And of course, to serve your own family and help your kids. A lot of mothers, early on, when choosing a career or a line of work, follow where their kids lead.

[1:13] Running for School Board in 2018

Because at the time, as a Vancouver parent, regarding the school system, especially public schools — short on resources and not getting enough funding. As parents, we had some suggestions, and I wanted to join the School Board to bring more frontline voices into policy. That was a big reason I ran back then.

[1:37] Why Park Board

Now, eight years on, I'm running for Park Board because over these eight years I've found that the Park Board is even more a part of our daily lives. For example, did you know Vancouver has one of Canada's very best park and recreation systems? Yes. We have 250 parks, lots of community centres, ice rinks, pools, pickleball, golf, and Stanley Park, and the little train we all ride, right?

[2:05] As a woman running for office

As a woman candidate, when it comes to these community centres, what would you like them to offer women in particular? That's a great question. Because I think, as a woman — as I mentioned, I'm a mother of three. I've lived in Vancouver for years, and I know firsthand as a parent, when it comes to kids' swimming lessons, tennis lessons, and our skating rinks — resources that are limited — how do you share them fairly among families and keep them affordable? What you said about affordability is also a very important factor in our lives. Safe, clean, fairly inexpensive, and welcoming to everyone. It's a system that takes real know-how to run. And as a woman, I think I have a big advantage: in raising children, we have firsthand experience. Compared with dads who aren't as hands-on, when it comes to making policy, I might be able to fine-tune it more and get the details right, because I know where the real problems are and what residents truly want. So — more attentive to detail. Yes, attentive to detail. Exactly. That's what I bring as a woman. You mentioned that women candidates are far more detail-minded than men. And park facilities really do need that care and attention to detail, since they serve every single resident. So as everyone uses the excellent facilities that Vancouver provides, truly serving people comes down to detail.

[3:40] Why she serves: BC Children's Hospital

We've known each other for years. I've always followed your WeChat Moments, and your posts are mostly about the community. You also give the Chinese community a great source of information. So what sparked your passion for serving the community? That goes back a long way, to when I was pregnant. I was carrying twins, which made it high-risk, so naturally I needed a lot more hospital checkups. I gave birth at the children's hospital. And because they were twins, they came early, premature. And the care for premature babies — I only learned later how sound and humane Canada's system is. I stayed there for a while, and they gave me the most thoughtful care, attention and support. The medical staff treated me like family, and it was all free! Right. The babies were in incubators and stayed in hospital for a while. So the first thing I did after leaving was decide to donate to BC Children's. Because this system runs not just on government funding — there's a huge amount of charitable support behind it too. So from then on, I started giving every year to BC Children's Hospital. Because I felt that since I'd received such wonderful care, if I had the means to give back, then I should give something too. That was my very first, original feeling. Speaking of

[5:13] Ten years of long hair

BC Children's, I later learned that at BC Children's there are very young patients — children with cancer, for instance — who lose their hair and need wigs. A child's wig is very expensive to make, and they're in very short supply. They can't wear the regular adult wigs we use, made of synthetic materials. They need natural, breathable, real human hair. It can't be permed or dyed, and the donation rules are strict: at least 30 centimetres long. So I thought, what I can do is at least donate my hair. And then I found that when I did it, my kids joined in with me. — So you can't cut your hair, and you can't just do whatever style you want, right? So I feel that my past ten years in the community I've had plain, simple long hair. Once it grows this long, snip! Two more years to grow, then snip again. So one big bonus is I save a lot on haircuts. Mainly, you see the kids on chemo who urgently need this hair. Because for them, hair is so important. And it's very scarce. It's not something you can just buy with money. It takes real human hair, donated by real people, to make one. Some things are priceless. You can't spend a million dollars and quickly make lots of real-hair wigs.

[6:44] Ten donations with her daughter

Yes. My daughter and I take turns donating. Ten years, ten donations. Say I donate this year, she does next year, then it's me again. And friends around me donate too. It's just about sticking with it. It's a very small act, but you find that even your small effort can get people around you involved. And more people come to realize, “Oh, hair is actually precious. We shouldn't just throw it away.” Many people in our society, especially children with cancer, need this kind of help. That's wonderful. You've taken real action and inspired more people to join in, so that at BC Children's Hospital, these kids can have beautiful hair. Yes, it's really wonderful. It may seem small, but bit by bit, it adds up into something truly powerful — the power of kindness.

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.