Melissa Zhang

Council · Richmond

Thompson 21 yrs

About

Melissa Zhang has called Richmond home for over 20 years with her family.She holds a master’s degree and has worked as an independent financial advisor for 18 years. A dedicated community advocate and volunteer leader.

Policy commitments

Buildings

We all want healthy, affordable, and comfortable homes. These policies will help to lower energy bills, cut pollution, and improve indoor air quality.

– Support electrification of new buildings. No response

– Incentivize electric heat pumps and air filtration systems. No response

– Incentivize renewable energy, battery storage, and smart-grid technologies in new and existing buildings to improve energy security. No response

– Scale up energy retrofits for existing homes, businesses, and public buildings. No response

– Implement a 'right to cool' bylaw to protect tenants during extreme heat events. No response

Climate Justice

Our community is already experiencing the harmful impacts of climate change caused by fossil fuel pollution, and taxpayers are on the hook to upgrade and repair critical infrastructure.

– Enact a moratorium on AI data centres to protect our energy and water resources. No response

– Pursue available legal options to recover a fair share of the climate costs facing our community from fossil fuel companies and other big polluters. No response

– Collaborate with Indigenous peoples as partners in the stewardship of the land, air, and water, and work towards reconciliation. No response

Ecosystems

The air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat all rely on healthy ecosystems. Nature can also help protect our community from extreme weather by controlling floods, protecting shorelines, and cooling neighbourhoods. Access to nature improves the health and well-being of residents, and supports biodiversity.

– Protect and restore ecosystems, which are essential to human survival, health, and economic well-being. No response

– Expand and protect tree canopy, parks, and green infrastructure to cool neighbourhoods, clean air, and manage stormwater. No response

– Prioritize native tree planting in all areas, especially those with low tree cover, higher population densities, and more vulnerable residents. No response

– Create connected urban greenways for people and wildlife. No response

Land Use

We envision vibrant, walkable communities that protect nature and improve food security.

– Build affordable homes near jobs, schools, shops, and transit. No response

– Upgrade critical infrastructure for heat, fire, flood, and storm resilience. No response

– Increase food security by supporting local agriculture and community gardens. No response

Transport

Connecting neighbourhoods through public transit and active transportation networks will cut pollution, improve public health, and make our communities more affordable (and fun!).

– Deliver reliable, frequent, affordable local transit. No response

– Advocate to improve regional public transit between communities. No response

– Expand EV charging infrastructure. No response

Watersheds

Climate change, increasing populations, and overconsumption threaten our water security. Healthy watersheds and forests are critical to support clean drinking water, stormwater management, climate resilience, and biodiversity for future generations.

– Implement water conservation plans and educate the public to conserve drinking water. No response

– Protect and restore watersheds as vital municipal infrastructure. No response

– Develop and implement a water security plan. No response

Zero Waste

Zero waste policies reduce pollution, keep waste out of landfills, build resilient local economies, and safeguard public health by shifting society away from a disposable culture toward a sustainable circular economy.

✓ Implement zero waste bylaws to divert organic waste and recyclables from disposal. Supportive

✓ Support the development of a circular economy to eliminate waste and improve resilience. Supportive

✓ Implement bylaws to eliminate waste from new buildings, renovation, and demolition projects and to use existing buildings as efficiently as possible. Supportive

✓ Supportive

~ Neutral

× Opposed

– No response

Climate action

How have you contributed to climate action in your community through advocacy, past work, advisory committees, volunteer work, and/or reducing your personal carbon footprint?

My approach to climate action has always been practical and community-focused. Through more than 20 years of community service, I have organized Lions and Leo Club volunteers for regular park cleanups, joined shoreline cleanups with members of the business community, and led our community running group in “plogging”—running while collecting litter. I have also participated in community tree planting and helped improve our parks by donating picnic tables and benches.

These experiences have strengthened my commitment to protecting Richmond’s natural environment and building a healthier, more resilient community. As a municipal candidate, I want to turn that hands-on spirit of service into practical action—reducing waste, protecting green spaces and shorelines, improving resilience, and working with residents, businesses and community organizations on solutions that are effective and affordable.

Questions for Richmond

Do you support or oppose the Fortis Tilbury LNG expansion?

I oppose the proposed Tilbury Phase 2 LNG expansion. My concern is not with Richmond’s role as an important industrial and economic centre, but with the proposed location along the Fraser River and its proximity to residential areas, as well as the potential environmental, safety and infrastructure impacts.

I believe Richmond should protect our waterfront, residents and long-term interests while supporting responsible economic development. Any major project of this scale must have a transparent and meaningful consultation process, strong environmental and safety protections, and clear evidence that the benefits outweigh the risks to our community.

Do you prioritize active transportation with investments in walking, rolling, and cycling infrastructure that is safe, connected, easy to navigate, and accessible?

Yes. I support investing in safe, connected and accessible walking, rolling and cycling infrastructure. Active transportation should make it easier for residents of all ages and abilities to get to schools, parks, transit, shopping and community facilities.

My priority is practical infrastructure that is well designed, properly maintained and connected to our broader transportation network. Safety should come first, including safer crossings, school routes, lighting and separation from vehicle traffic where appropriate. We should also consider the needs of seniors, families, people with disabilities and other residents with different mobility needs.

Do you support acceleration of the City's adoption of the Zero Carbon Step Code?

Yes, I support accelerating Richmond’s adoption of the Zero Carbon Step Code where it is technically feasible and cost-effective.

Richmond should continue improving the energy efficiency and emissions performance of new buildings while recognizing the importance of housing affordability. Implementation should be predictable and give builders and the industry sufficient time to adapt. I would also support incentives, education and partnerships that help reduce the cost of achieving higher energy performance.

Our goal should be lower emissions and more efficient, comfortable buildings without unnecessarily increasing the cost of housing.

Do you support expansion of Richmond's award-winning district energy systems?

Yes. I support expanding Richmond’s district energy systems where there is a clear environmental and economic case.

District energy can improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions and provide reliable heating and cooling while making good use of local energy sources such as recovered heat. Richmond should continue expanding these systems in a phased and financially responsible way, based on demand, infrastructure capacity and demonstrated benefits to residents and businesses.

I support practical innovation that delivers long-term value for Richmond.

What will you do to increase the number and types of green jobs and career training opportunities in Richmond?

I will work with local businesses, post-secondary institutions, trades, industry associations and senior governments to expand green career and training opportunities in Richmond.

I would focus on practical areas where Richmond already has economic strengths and future potential, including clean technology, building energy efficiency and retrofits, renewable energy, district energy, EV infrastructure, sustainable transportation, waste reduction and green construction.

The City can help by connecting employers with training providers, supporting apprenticeships and internships, promoting local hiring opportunities, and making it easier for businesses to invest in new technologies and skills.

My goal is to make Richmond a place where young people, workers and businesses can participate in the growing green economy while creating good local jobs and strengthening our economic base.

Compiled & presented by

Vote4Tomorrow is an independent voter guide to evaluate where local candidates stand on climate and environmental policies that will affect our future.

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