Career
Steves is a long term city councillor on Richmond, British Columbia City Council, first elected in 1969 and re-elected in 1977, after serving one term as the New Democratic Party of British Columbia Modern Language Association from 1973-1975. In the mid-1960s Steves drafted the initial resolutions to NDP conventions to establish an Agricultural Land Bank system in British Columbia. As an Modern Language Association he was active in the establishment of the "Agricultural Land Reserve" under the Dave Barrett NDP Government and for the following decades, one of its strongest defenders.
He is active in the Farmland Defence League.
Steves is the vice chair of planning and agriculture for Metro Vancouver and is promoting farmland preservation, urban agriculture and food security for the region. He represents Richmond as second director on the board of directors of Metro Vancouver.
He was the Lower Mainland Treaty Advisory Committee representative at the treaty table for the Tsawwassen First Nation treaty negotiations. Steves is also a director of the British Columbia Groundfish Development Authority.
Steves is chair of the Parks and Recreation & Cultural Services Committee of Richmond Council.
Steves is a council representative to the following advisory committees, organizations and community associations: the Agricultural Advisory Committee. The Olympic Oval Advisory Committee alternate. The Richmond Farmers" Institute.
The Sea Island Community Association.
The Steveston Harbour Authority Board and the Britannia Heritage Shipyard Society. He is also a director of the Richmond Athletic Commission established to regulate professional boxing in Richmond.
