Burnaby, B.C.
Long-time community activist makes it to Burnaby Council
Teodoro ‘Ted’ Alcuitas
Editor, PhilippineCanadianNews.Com
Maita Santiago was elected as a councillor for the City of Burnaby last night, garnering an impressive 5.28 % or 11,347 votes, making a historic first for Filipino-Canadians in municipal politics in the lower mainland.
Santiago, who run under the NDP-affiliated Burnaby Citizens Association who dominates the council, was No. 6 among the city’s eight councillors and one of three new councillors elected. There were 27 candidates running for council, six of them incumbents.
The long-time community activist and political assistant to Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Mable Elmore, is hoping to bring her experience to city politics.
(Watch for our interview with the new councillor)
In other political news, Rod Belleza returns to Richmond City as a School Trustee. The former Philippine lawyer and financial services salesman was first elected in 2008.
In the City of Kitimat, nurse Edwin Empinado wins his fourth term.
Narima Dela Cruz failed in her third bid for Surrey City Council despite a well-run campaign as an Independent candidate.
