David grew up in Chemainus and worked briefly in the ‘MacBlo’ Chemainus sawmill before its closure in 1982. He later worked as a summer student at the Chemainus Festival of Murals, developing an understanding of the fragility of one industry communities, and of their ability to adapt to survive.
David moved to Toronto and then to Richmond, working in supply chain management for various industries and in multiple capacities. His passion though was making sure that everyone shared in our prosperous society. As a community activist, he volunteered as Chair of the Richmond Poverty Response Committee for many years, building public support for affordable housing and community support for the most vulnerable among us. He was part of a team with Harold Steves and other activists that saved the Garden City Lands (130 acres of farmland in the heart of Richmond) from high density development.
David was politically active from a young age, growing up in a CCF/NDP family. He served as Treasurer and Vice-President of the BC Young New Democrats and was an active member of the Chemainus-based Tommy Douglas Club. While in Toronto, he served as President of the Willowdale NDP, and upon returning to BC he served as President of the federal Richmond New Democrat Riding Association. He is proud to have worked on many election campaigns across Canada, developing wonderful friendships.
Living now on Thetis Island, David is an active community member serving on multiple community groups and committees, as well as being on the Board of Directors for Social Planning Cowichan. He believes that climate change is an existential threat. We must all act both personally and collectively, building our local communities as a key foundation to climate change resilience.