Three Canadian Filipinos are running for seats in the B.C. Legislative Assembly in the provincial election on October 24.
Mable Elmore is seeking a fourth term as Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Vancouver-Kensington.
Jaeden Dela Torre, for his part, is a candidate in Richmond North Centre.
Elmore and Dela Torre are with the B.C. NDP.
Cyrus Sy is a candidate in New Westminster by the Green Party of B.C.
B.C. NDP leader John Horgan on September 21 triggered a snap election with the dissolution of the provincial parliament.
The regular election was supposed to be held in October 2021.
At dissolution, here’s Elmore’s official history with the legislative assembly:
“Mable Elmore was first elected MLA for Vancouver-Kensington in 2009, when she made history by becoming the first MLA of Filipino heritage. Mable was re-elected in 2013 and 2017. She serves as Parliamentary Secretary for Poverty Reduction.
“Mable previously served as the Official Opposition spokesperson for ICBC, and the deputy spokesperson for Finance.
“Mable is passionate about building community engagement and connecting people around issues that matter to them. She is dedicated to doing whatever she can to make the lives of people in her community – and across B.C. – better.
“Mable has been an active member in the peace movement and has worked tirelessly on a wide range of immigrant, social justice, and workers' rights issues.
“Prior to her election as MLA, Mable worked as a transit operator for 10 years. Over that time she played an active role within her union – Canadian Auto Workers Local 111 – and led successful campaigns as a transit advocate.
“Mable attended the University of British Columbia and has resided in Vancouver for the past 20 years.”
The B.C. NDP campaign website presents Dela Torre here:
“Jaeden Dela Torre is a passionate voice for our community and young people across British Columbia. He is committed to fighting for the issues that matter in our community – affordable housing, stronger services, and building a stronger, cleaner future.
“At 19, Jaeden already has a track record of fighting for an inclusive Richmond. In 2018, he organized and participated in a youth “sleep out” in front of city hall, to advocate for supportive housing in Richmond. He was a key part of building a coalition to support the project being built – and it is now home to 40 residents.
“Jaeden was one of the youngest candidates to run in last year’s federal election – and he has run campaigns encouraging people to vote in local elections. His top priorities are standing up for the environment and sustainability, reducing income inequality, prioritizing housing affordability, and supporting students trying to obtain a post-secondary education.
“Jaeden knows that people need to be at the centre of BC’s recovery plan – and you count on him to fight for you.”
On the campaign website of the B.C. Greens, Sy describes himself as a child of immigrants from the Philippines.
Sy’s official party record reads:
“Cyrus was born to first-generation immigrant parents who instilled in their children the lasting values of hard work, good education and civic duty.
“Cyrus studied at Simon Fraser University, where he completed his Bachelor of Applied Science in Systems Engineering. He is a Professional Engineer and marketing leader who has worked in BC’s high-technology industry for the past 20 years and loves bringing products to market that help connect people and their communities.
“Cyrus is passionate about causes that support parents, children and public education. From 2010 to 2017, Cyrus served as a volunteer and Board President at Parent Support Services Society of BC, a non-profit committed to protecting the safety and well-being of children. Cyrus served the New Westminster community as a board member of Kolumbia Inn Daycare Society and the Purpose Society; he also served as a representative on the Intelligent City Advisory and Environment Advisory Committees.
“Cyrus has been a strong advocate and supporter of public education and has served as Secretary for the District Parent Advisory Council of New Westminster for the past two years. In 2018, he also ran as a candidate for New Westminster School Board trustee.
“Cyrus is married to Nicole, an elementary school teacher, and together have two children and a 10-month old puppy. He loves reading, photography, baking and is an avid runner who recently completed his quest to run every street in New Westminster in early 2020!”
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