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Dear members,
I was always advised by my father to stay from politics because "politics is dirty". And so I did for a very long time. Well, what if all those with big minds and big hearts who really wish to make a difference think like me. Then the field will be empty for sub-optimal politicians who could cause more harm than good!
Therefore, I finally decided to act against my father's advice and NOT avoid politics, but instead, dive right into it for the sake of the betterment of our society.
If chosen, my priorities will be focused on the following:
- Climate Action: Mother Earth is ill due to the wrong-doings of mankind all over the world. What we see today are symptoms of a 'System Failure' of the Earth System. We must act now!
- Health Care: I used to believe that we have a good 'Sick Care System', but not a 'Health Care System'. But we don't even have the former now, due to the current primary care crisis. We must be proactive!
- Subsidized Housing and 'Rent Subsidies': About 1/3 of eligible Canadians are renters. Many of them within the low to mid income level are struggling with the rising rents and face major housing challenges. Equally important, other than affordable housing for the poor, many other organizations who are critical contributors to a healthy society deserve subsidized housing. These organizations include education providers, health care providers, security providers, etc. A feasible and sustainable plan can solve this problem.
- Food Security and Local Production: The rising cost of food challenges the food security for many British Columbians. One of the main reason for this challenge is the cost of transportation and fuel. Will local production, these costs can be eliminated, thus reducing the cost of food.
- Early Childhood Potential: The foundation of a human character is shaped in the first few years of their childhood. Plans and programs targeted at maximizing the human potential in early childhood is instrumental in the well-being of our citizens, and the society.
I invite you to join me in shaping the future of our beautiful British Columbia.
ABOUT FRANCIS
Francis Vala is a Bariatrician (medical weight loss doctor), clinical assistant professor at the University of British Columbia, published author, certified master life coach, public speaker, and social entrepreneur Currently he is one of 6 Board-Certified Medical Bariatricians in British Columbia, Canada.
Dr. Vala is the Medical Director of Medical Bariatrics Canada (MBC) and founder of the H.E.A.T Academy (Human Empowerment And Transformation). He is driven by a passion to improve peoples’ qualify of life. Dr. Vala spent years researching and developing his bariatric program, and has dedicated the rest of his career to the management of obesity and prevention of chronic diseases. He has helped many patients lose weight in a healthy way and keep it off.
He believes that currently in Canada and USA we have a good “sick care” system but not an ideal “health care system”. The solution for sustaining our universal care is prevention.
Education
Dr. Vala He obtained his MD degree in medicine at the age of 25, and served in different rural and urban parts of his country, Iran. In 1999, he immigrated to Canada, pursued his residency in family medicine, and obtained two more fellowships in Sexual Medicine (UBC), and Bariatric Medicine (USA).
He graduated from the Department of Family Medicine at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in 2005. In 2010, he continued training in Bariatric Medicine (Obesity Medicine) in USA. In 2014, he completed a fellowship program and Board Certification from the American Board of Obesity Medicine. He is a member of the BC College of Family Physicians (CFPC), the Canadian Association of Bariatric Physicians (CABPS), Canadian Obesity Network (CON), and the American Society of Bariatric Physicians (ASBP).
Experience
Dr. Vala has over 20 years of experience in general medicine, and 12 years in obesity medicine (since 2010). He is disappointed with the inadequate standards for the treatment of obesity administered by most commercial weight loss programs, and wants to focus on treating the underlying problem causing health issues as opposed to treating the symptoms. Therefore, he is shifting the focus of his practice from cure, to prevention, education and empowerment.