2025 Federal Election – Richmond Candidate Responses
Candidates were asked to answer at least four questions. All candidates were contacted for responses.
1. When elected, how will you support Richmond artists and cultural organizations?
Michael Sisler (Green Party, Richmond Centre-Marpole): Continue to fund the council.
Steven Ji (Green Party, Richmond East-Steveston): I will listen to your ideas and bring them to the federal gov.
2. Canadian Heritage’s budget for Heritage and Celebration grants has been dramatically cut from $220,705,354 in 2022-2023 down to an expected $108,898,032 in 2025-2026. This grant has supported local heritage performers at the Richmond Maritime Festival since 2011. How would you support increasing this important funding for festivals and celebrations?
Michael Sisler (Green Party, Richmond Centre-Marpole): Get money by taxing the wealthy and corporations fairly to fund the Heritage and Celebration grants.
Steven Ji (Green Party, Richmond East-Steveston): I can help by contacting local businesses to support and sponsor future events so that it’ll both raise awareness for local businesses and also bring in funding for the festivals and celebrations. These things are sometimes easier at a local level than a federal level.
3. Do you feel that the Arts contribute to our local and national economies? How could this contribution be increased?
Michael Sisler (Green Party, Richmond Centre-Marpole): Yes, art contributes. Contributing more means answering positively to all of your questions.
Steven Ji (Green Party, Richmond East-Steveston): Yes. Festivals, arts, and culture bring people together. We need to be brought together and support our local businesses and community members in need, especially in a world that is getting more divisive.
4. Do you support increasing the annual budget for the Canada Council for the Arts? Why?
Michael Sisler (Green Party, Richmond Centre-Marpole): The arts nourishes all Canadians, so I support the Council for the arts.
Steven Ji (Green Party, Richmond East-Steveston): Locally, I support this, federally I don’t know how much do the funding actually flows into Richmond, so I can’t say.
5. Richmond needs more purpose-built arts spaces. Richmond-based theatre, opera, choir, orchestra, and music non-profits often need to head into Vancouver or New Westminster to find purpose-built arts venues that are affordable and available. How will you address this concern?
Michael Sisler (Green Party, Richmond Centre-Marpole): This is inline with question 3, new venues and facilities attract more people to the areas. I support arts infrastructure.
Steven Ji (Green Party, Richmond East-Steveston): We should build a new theatre if people are heading into Vancouver for venues. It’ll boost construction jobs, get money into the economy and improve the lives of richmonites for decades to come.
6. Richmond is a multicultural city, but many feel there are not enough cross-cultural opportunities to build understanding between communities. What role do you think the arts can play in creating bridges between cultures and contributing to our shared Canadian identity?
Michael Sisler (Green Party, Richmond Centre-Marpole): I would support more free festivals based on cultural celebrations in Richmond, celebrations for children as children are universal, and so forth. Let’s give the communities subcultures a chance to mingle.
Steven Ji (Green Party, Richmond East-Steveston): I was just at the Sakura festival hosted by city of Richmond. Events like that highlights the diverse culture of our community and it’s something we should celebrate. These events foster community bonding and understanding to unite us as one.