Richard was first elected to Coquitlam City Council in 2005
He is bilingual (English and French)
Richard has lived all his life in Coquitlam
He was married in 1983 to Anna Rosa; they have four children
Richard has served his community in the provincial government as MLA for Coquitlam-Maillardville 2001 to 2005; appointed MLA Responsible for Francophone Affairs, member of the Government Caucus Committee on the Economy, and Chair of the Select Standing Committee on Education.
He has extensive experience as a community volunteer in a large number of social, service, environmental, business and community organizations, including:
Coquitlam Rotary Club
Knights of Columbus
Maillardville Lions Club
Société Maillardville Uni and Société Biculturelle de Maillardville
Local school Parent Advisory Committees
Executive, School District 43 Parent Advisory Committee
A longstanding member of the Coquitlam Chamber of Commerce
Formerly, Richard has been:
President of the Canadian Home Builders Association of B.C
Chair of the National Housing Economic Research Council
Publisher of a successful housing industry trade magazine
Member of the BC Minister’s Advisory Council on Affordable Housing
Member of National and BC Building Code Committees
Member of the National Research Council Canada’s Standing Committee on Housing
At the local government level, Richard has volunteered on the City of Coquitlam Economic Development Committees, on a local Advisory Design Panel, on Housing Committees, and as a Trustee on the Coquitlam Public Library Board.
Richard is a writer, and has operated his own government relations and communications business.
Formerly, Richard served as the Chair of the Disability Issues Advisory Committee, Chair of the Liveable Communities Advisory Committee, Chair of the City/School Board Liaison Committee, Chair of the Metro Vancouver Regional Planning Committee, Industrial Lands Task Group, and Regional Housing Committee.
Richard has been:
Director on the Metro Vancouver Board of Directors
Chair of the Metro Vancouver Liquid Waste Committee
Member of the Metro Vancouver Mayor’s Committee
Member of the Metro Vancouver COVID-19 Response and Recovery Task Force
Member of the Metro Vancouver Finance and Intergovernment Committee
Member of the TransLink Mayors’ Council
Co-Chair of the TransLink Regional Transportation Planning Committee
The Mayor is an ex-officio member of all City of Coquitlam Committees
Chair of the Metro Vancouver Liquid Waste Committee