Earl Babich is running for a spot on council for the City of Mission and his platform starts with making people feel more welcome in our city.
Babich moved to Mission more than 30 years ago and wants a return to civility – something he says is missing for some groups.
“I dislike the non-inclusive feel the City of Mission has to new residents, and the poor treatment of minorities, including people with disabilities, homeless persons, seniors requiring care for the remainder of their lives and those seeking property rights and freedom,” Babich told the Mission Record. “I promise with all of my heart if you have lived in Mission for 100 years or one month … I will treat you and your family with all the empathy, dignity and social justice each and every person on this planet deserves.”
Babich has run in the past four municipal elections as a school trustee candidate, and as a mayoral candidate in the 2021 byelection.
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Babich also wants to be on council to help move forward development of Mission’s waterfront area, including more park areas for public use. Babich would also like to see multiple crossings over railway lands, especially for pedestrians, cyclists and people with mobility issues.
“I will do this because it is difficult and necessary and, like the seawall around False Creek in Vancouver, I will do this as it is in the public interest of the City of Mission,” he said. “As a councillor, I will work to fast-track any development project that is in the best interests of the public with the strategic goal of building parks, increasing and protecting wild salmon, and eliminating homelessness.”