Who we are

Richmond has long been a welcoming home for families, workers, farmers, students and retirees. With abundant park space, community centres that provide affordable classes for young and senior learners, thriving small businesses, and world-class culinary delights — we have a lot to be proud of. 

But as the cost of housing has gone up and up, more and more families, retirees, and young residents are leaving Richmond for more affordable options. Sprawling single-family neighbourhoods and concentrated commercial centres with limited transit options in between have created disconnected urban hubs. And climate change has forced us to look at how we protect our homes and expand food security.

Richmond Citizens’ Association candidates will fight to build more affordable and purpose-built housing so that newcomers and young families alike can see a bright future in Richmond. We will build accessible, vibrant neighbourhoods where it is a short walk, cycle, or drive to local schools, groceries, services, and other amenities. We will fund the services and programs that Richmond residents rely on. And we will ensure that the policies Richmond implements today help to build a greener and more resilient city of the future.

Together, let’s build a community that we can all call home.

Values

Richmond Citizens’ Association will elect progressive candidates to Richmond city council who reflect the diversity and values of our community. In our history, we have focused on housing affordability, addressing climate change, and government transparency. As we look towards the 2026 municipal election and beyond, RCA will be guided by these core principles:

  • RCA will push to elect progressive candidates to Richmond council, who embody our shared values of affordability, inclusivity, climate action, and responsible government

  • RCA will be governed by democratic decision making and advance the values of participatory democracy

  • We will lead with transparency and our candidates and executive will be accountable to our membership and the community

  • RCA will build our movement within and outside of partisan politics, helping to train the next generation of community organizers.

History

RCA has a long history of electoral success in Richmond, electing councillors Linda Barnes, Kelly Greene, and Harold Steves. As a successor organization to the Richmond Anti-Pollution Association and the Richmond Civic New Democrats, Richmond Citizens’ Association has focused on priorities in our community such as housing affordability, addressing climate change, and government transparency. 

Our members led the fight to protect farmland from speculation and overdevelopment — and with the election of Kelly Greene and Harold Steves, we were able to restrict the size of mega mansion on ALR land. RCA efforts led to the protection of the Garden City Lands from development so that it could be preserved for natural bog parkland and farming with North America's first farm school.

Linda Barnes fought to legalize secondary suites in Richmond - creating more affordable housing options for people throughout the city.

Our councillors have also been champions for the environment, advocating for geothermal energy, more green infrastructure, climate-resilient improvements to Richmond’s dykes, and declaring a climate emergency in 2019.

Contact us

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