Richmond City Council has awarded long-time resident, former Councillor and MLA Harold Steves with the Freedom of the City, the highest honour a local government can bestow on an individual.
“Harold Steves has dedicated most of his life to making Richmond and British Columbia better for everyone,” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie when announcing the honour at last night’s City Council meeting. “During his time as the Province’s longest-serving elected politician, Harold made a tremendous impact on community life particularly in the Steveston area, the preservation of farmland and heritage, as well as environmental issues. Our city and Province are much better thanks to his commitment and many contributions.”
Left to right: Councillor Kash Heed, Councillor Bill McNulty, Councillor Alexa Loo, Councillor Andy Hobbs, Mayor Malcolm Brodie, Former Councillor Harold Steeves, Councillor Carol Day, Councillor Laura Gillanders, Councillor Michael Wolfe and Councillor Chak Au
Richmond-born Steves is the great-grandson of Manoah and Martha Steves, one of the area’s founding families and after whom the waterfront community of Steveston is named. He was first elected to Municipal Council in 1968, 22 years before Richmond was designated as a City, for what would be the start of over 50 years of public service.
After a brief stint as an MLA from 1973 to 1975, Steves returned to Richmond Council in 1977 and remained an elected official until his retirement prior to the 2022 municipal election. Among his many achievements over those decades was establishing the Agricultural Land Commission to protect valuable farmland and rural areas from development. As a member of Council, he also fought hard to preserve local landmarks such as Garry Point Park, Richmond Nature Park, Britannia Shipyards, Gulf of Georgia Cannery and the Garden City Lands.
With agriculture in his blood, Steves has developed new organic plant and vegetable hybrids better suited to Canada’s colder and wetter temperatures, and continues to advocate for sustainable, locally-produced food sources.
Harold Steves is the sixth individual to receive the Freedom of the City honour. Previous honourees include long-time Mayors Greg Halsey-Brandt, Gil Blair and Henry Anderson, as well as Councillors Bob McMath and Archie Blair. Freedom of the City recognition has also been given to the 12th and 39th Service Battalions.