Andy Hobbs

Andy Hobbs has been a community volunteer and public safety leader with decades of experience in frontline service, executive leadership and municipal governance. Raised in Richmond, Andy attended James Thompson Elementary, J.N. Burnett Junior High and Richmond Senior Secondary. He and his wife, Lynn, a lifelong Richmond resident, have been married since 1982 and have raised three children in Richmond public schools. Today, they are proud grandparents to five grandchildren, all of whom continue to call Richmond home, as well as three step-grandchildren.

Andy’s career has been defined by a commitment to safe, resilient and well-governed communities. He spent more than 35 years with the Vancouver Police Department, retiring as Superintendent, North Command, with responsibility for operations and personnel across half of the city. Throughout his career, Andy served in frontline, investigative, operational and executive roles, building deep expertise in public safety, emergency response, organizational leadership and public accountability. His service has been recognized through multiple commendations and his induction into the Order of Merit of the Police Forces by the Governor General of Canada.

As the VPD’s Public Order Group Gold Commander, Andy oversaw public safety for major events and complex demonstrations, balancing public safety, civil liberties and community trust. He held senior command and operational roles for large-scale events, including Grey Cup celebrations, major playoff runs and incidents such as the 2011 Stanley Cup Riot. He also served on the City of Vancouver’s Large Event Organizing Committee and worked extensively through the VPD’s Emergency Operations and Planning Section.

Andy later served as Chief Officer of the Transit Police during a critical transition period for the organization. In this role, he led a comprehensive operational review and implemented new policies and practices, including revised operational priorities, minimum deployment standards, improved recognition and promotion frameworks and cost-control measures. These changes stabilized the agency, strengthened service delivery and improved workforce morale.

First elected to Richmond City Council in 2021, Andy brings this public safety and leadership experience directly to municipal decision-making. He currently serves as Vice Chair of the Community Safety Committee, supporting a balanced approach to safety that emphasizes prevention, preparedness and enforcement in partnership with community organizations. His governance experience includes extensive work with boards, clubs, school organizations and policing bodies, with a strong focus on accountability, fiscal discipline and outcomes.

Andy also serves on Council’s Planning Committee, where he advocates for well-planned, infrastructure-ready growth that improves housing affordability while protecting neighbourhood livability. He supports increasing housing supply across a range of needs — including rental, family-oriented and seniors’ housing — while ensuring new development fits appropriately within existing communities. Andy has supported numerous multi-family projects, planned seniors’ housing initiatives and developments such as Pathways Clubhouse, Lions Manor in Steveston and a recently completed housing project for women and children in Richmond.

In addition to his Council duties, Andy serves as a community board member with Steveston-based Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue, contributing to budget oversight and policy development. His approach to governance emphasizes transparency, responsible spending and long-term planning. He serves on the Finance and General Purposes Committee and has supported improvements to accountability in human resources, major project planning and financial management. Andy strongly supports Richmond’s Long Term Financial Management Strategy and has worked with senior levels of government to secure funding, including $35.9 million from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Housing Accelerator Fund to accelerate housing delivery and strengthen the City’s Housing Office.

Andy brings a practical, community-focused perspective to economic development. Coming from a family of small business owners, he understands the importance of a strong local economy to the quality of life. Through his involvement with organizations such as Tourism Richmond and the Richmond Community Foundation, he has worked closely with local businesses, business improvement associations, non-profits and community leaders to support stability, job creation and opportunity. With more than 14,000 business licenses and over 125,000 workers, Richmond has one of the highest jobs-to-residents ratios in the region. Andy actively maintains relationships with key stakeholders, including the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, YVR, the Port and employers large and small.

Andy is also a strong advocate for respectful, collaborative relationships with First Nations, City staff and community organizations. He initiated and co-chaired the VPD Musqueam Business Liaison Committee and worked with First Nations urban populations on youth initiatives such as CHARM and EASY. He currently chairs Richmond City Council’s First Nations Building Committee.

Community service has been a constant throughout Andy’s life. He has volunteered for decades as a coach and official in youth sports, supported cancer fundraising initiatives and served on boards spanning heritage, culture, health and community services. These experiences reinforce his belief that strong communities are built through consistent leadership and long-term commitment.

Andy Hobbs is seeking re-election to Richmond City Council to continue serving the community he has called home for nearly his entire life, bringing steady leadership, proven experience and a clear focus on safety, livability and quality of life for Richmond residents today and for future generations.