It’s a three-person race in North Delta with candidates representing the NDP, Liberal and Green parties for the Oct. 24 provincial election.
Seeking re-election is Delta North MLA Ravi Kahlon for the NDP.
A decade ago, Kahlon and his wife chose North Delta as the place they would raise their family together.
Kahlon was elected as its MLA in 2017 and says he is happy with the projects both completed and underway in the community including: the new track facility at North Delta Secondary as well as the school’s seismic upgrades, two new playgrounds and the Alex Fraser Bridge improvement project.
Kahlon also volunteers on the boards of the Delta Parks and Recreation Committee, the Tapestry Foundation and Men’s High Performance for Field Hockey BC.
As the Parliamentary Secretary for Sport and Multiculturalism, he has worked on bringing back British Columbia’s Human Rights Commission.
“We've got lots of things that have happened in the last three years that I'm proud of,” Kahlon said. “I'm looking forward to hopefully having the opportunity to represent my community for another four years.”
On the campaign trail, Kahlon noted voter’s top priority remains COVID-19 and making sure people are safe.
Among Kahlon’s priorities are community safety, upkeep of public facilities like parks and other leisure centres, senior care and childcare spaces in the community.
Seeking to replace Kahlon is Jet Sunner of the Liberal Party.
Sunner is a 28-year law enforcement veteran and a North Delta resident since 2005. He has served in Surrey, North Vancouver and Richmond, and currently commands Senior Operations for the Richmond RCMP.
In January 2004, Sunner formed Team Izzat, an informal response to the increase of violence and crime among South Asian youth. Sunner and other RCMP members committed their volunteer time to changing the negative portrayal and stigma associated with South Asian youth and their connection with crime.
For his work in the community and youth engagement, Sunner received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award as well as the Richmond Spirit Award. Sunner was also recognized in the Vancouver Sun as one of the 50 most influential South Asians in the Lower Mainland.
While this is Sunner’s first dip into the world of politics, he says he is no stranger to big responsibilities.
“I've always believed that I've built up trust through Team Izza through policing and to me this is a bigger responsibility that requires a lot of trust,” Sunner said. “I've said to people I am the guy that will pick up the phone, I will answer, I will respond to you. I'll never leave people stranded, that's just my nature.”
Daycare facilities, housing and environmental protection are among Sunner’s top priorities.
Neema Manral will serve as the Green Party’s representative in North Delta.
Manral earned her master’s in arts and Bachelor of Education from Mumbai University before moving to Canada 2008.
With 17 years of education experience within the Delta school district, owner of her own childcare centre called Buzza Bee, Manral has solidified herself as an active member in the community of North Delta.
Also a newcomer to the political race, Manral says she joined the BC Greens because of the party’s focus on education and the environment.
“I'm a mother of two kids and I want to save Mother Nature, because if we can't save our environment, we can't hand over anything to our coming generation,” Manral said. “I just want to make some change right now to save the environment and to make a difference in education by giving good education to all kids.”
Subsidized post-secondary education, environmental protections, long term care facilities, housing, rent subsidies and childcare are among her top priorities.
