Former Richmond MLA Henry Yao enters mayoral race

Former BC NDP MLA Henry Yao has announced that he is resuming his campaign for mayor of Richmond.

Yao said a recent city council debate over extending the lease for Aster Place, a low-barrier affordable housing project, and the response online had concerned him. He said policy disputes had too often turned into anger, misinformation and personal attacks.

He is seeking to replace longtime Mayor Malcolm Brodie, who is not running for re-election on Oct. 17. Other candidates include councillors Alexa Loo and Kash Heed, former BC Liberal MLA Rob Howard, child-care operator Mei Kang, Conservative Sheldon Starrett and Dickens Cheung.

Yao served one term as MLA for Richmond South Centre after defeating Loo by 179 votes. He lost the renamed Richmond Centre riding to BC Conservative Hon Chan in the 2024 election and has previously run twice for city council without being elected.