Who are you?

David Eby, community advocate and NDP canadidate for Vancouver Point Grey in the May 11 byelection.

What do you do for fun?

I like reading, riding my bike and playing music with my band.

What is your favourite community and why?

My favourite community is Vancouver – what a place full of caring, concerned citizens, and what an amazing city! I love my new neighbourhood Kits too, people have been super welcoming and the small and independent businesses give it a vibe all its own.

What is your superpower?

I have go-go-gadget arms, able to reach across rooms without standing up. I’m also told that I have super listening ability, which is a super power I’m particularly proud of.

How do you use this power to build community?

My super listening abilities help me listen to community members while I’m out on the street meeting everyone in my neighbourhood. My extend-o arms help me rescue kittens from trees.

My Three Favourite Things About David Are…

1. He’s wicked smart, but still approachable. Here’s a guy that’s got an incredible grasp of the province’s key political issues. He speaks about them articulately and comprehensibly. In fact, he knows his issues so well that he’s chomping at the bit to take on Premier Christy Clark. He’s the same guy that you’d easily be able to chat with over pints, who plays in a band (that I hear is pretty awesome) and who has the important (but surprisingly rare ability as a politician) to connect with you as a person vs. only as a voter.

2. He’s a champion of those who most need a champion. We all get to make choices in our life. Instead of heading to Bay Street or West Georgia to practice law in a sparkling high rise, David chose to give voice to the most marginalized and vulnerable citizens of the province. His work as spokesperson for the Pivot Legal Society was important. His time as the Executive Director of the BC Civil Liberties Association was equally impressive. In both cases, David’s choice to put his passion for social justice ahead of megabucks was inspiring. At the fork in the road of life, David certainly took the road less trodden.

3. He sang “Living on a Prayer” to the hundreds of delegates at the NDP convention. Enough said.