BC NDP candidate Bowinn Ma: Reach out and get involved in politics

May 9 2017, 3:48 am

Ahead of the BC Election, Daily Hive has been speaking to a few of the candidates running from all three parties to find out what motivates them.

Here, Bowinn Ma, who is running for the BC NDP in North-Vancouver Lonsdale, shares her story and political advice for young voters.

Why run for office?

Well, I am running in this election for my god-children and their families, who tell me on a regular basis how challenging it is to raise a family here in Metro Vancouver and how much they worry–and they worry all of the time.

They worry about being able to pay the bills, they worry about being able to find secure housing, about being able to afford to go back to work because childcare is so expensive. But mostly they worry all of the time about their children’s futures, especially because public education isn’t what it used to be.

For me, I realized that I could never give enough gifts at Christmas, I could never gift them money on their birthdays in order to make up for the difference in their lives.

So I am determined to work hard to change the circumstances that cause them and so many other families to struggle.

Why this political party?

I chose to run for the NDP because the principles and values upon which the party was built align with my principles and values. And also because I know they are our best chance at defeating Christy Clark.

How’s your campaign going?

Well, it’s been very, very different for me. I don’t normally get this involved in political campaigns. I normally manage construction projects out at the Vancouver Airport Authority.

So it’s very, very different. But I have a fantastic, incredible team behind me and amazing volunteers who are passionate for change. And they are here every single day and I have been very well supported and in turn, I hope that I have done a really good job for them too.

What would you say to young people getting into politics?

I would say just do it! I don’t know what it’s like over on the BC Liberals’ side, but within the BC NDP all they have to do is reach out to somebody or reach out to the party and say they want to get involved.

In the beginning, it might feel scary, but the BC NDP is the party of the people. We are filled to the brim with volunteers and people who don’t do this on a normal basis.

They are getting involved because they care, because they want something better for their children and their grandchildren.

We are definitely a party of regular people. Anybody can get involved.


To find more guides to all the issues, interviews with the BC party leaders, and plenty of opinions, check out our full BC Election coverage here: Battleground BC.

See also
Simran SinghSimran Singh

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