Anne Kang

Anne Kang (Chinese: 康安禮) is a Canadian politician serving in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia as the MLA for Burnaby-Deer Lake since 2017. Prior to her election, Kang served as a City Councillor in Burnaby for three terms. On January 22, 2020, Premier John Horgan announced that she will take on the role of Minister of Citizens' Services.

The Honourable Anne Kang MLA
Anne Kang in 2016
Minister of Citizens' Services of British Columbia
Incumbent
Assumed office January 22, 2020
Premier	John Horgan
Preceded by	Selina Robinson
Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors of British Columbia
In office July 18, 2017 – January 22, 2020
Preceded by	New position
Succeeded by	Ronna-Rae Leonard
Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly for Burnaby-Deer Lake
Incumbent
Assumed office May 9, 2017
Preceded by	Kathy Corrigan
Personal details
Born	1977 Changhua, Taiwan
Political party	New Democratic Party
Residence	Burnaby, British Columbia
Alma mater	University of British Columbia

Early life and education

Kang immigrated from Taiwan to Canada as a child in 1986, and has called Burnaby home ever since. She grew up in the Deer Lake neighbourhood, and graduated from David Thompson Secondary School with Honours in the Math & Science Program.[1]

Kang was educated at the University of British Columbia, completing a Bachelors of Music, a Bachelors of Education, a Diploma in Special Education of those with Learning Disabilities, and a Master's degree in Special Education of Gifted & Creative Learners. In addition to this, Kang has also completed Montessori certification. She then served as an elementary school music teacher, special education & resource teacher, and classroom teach in Burnaby.[2]

Kang has stated that her personal interests are in the areas of environment, social sustainability, youth and young adults, and immigration.[3]

Community involvement

Kang has volunteered, and held positions with a number of not-for-profit and community organizations. These include:[4]

• Founding Director, Global Federation of Chinese Business Women Association of British Columbia
• Director, Progressive Housing Society
• Founding Director, TIO Group of Young Professionals
• Director, Taiwanese-Canadian Association
• Founding Director, Taiwanese Heritage Association

In recognition of her community involvement, she was awarded the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.[5] Kang has stated that one of her hopes is that her community involvement has inspired civic engagement and volunteerism in others.[6]

Kang has also spoken about her challenges with stuttering, and the need to end the stigmatization of those with the condition.[7]

Municipal politics (2008-2017)

Kang was first elected to office in 2008 as a Councillor on Burnaby City Council. She won re-election twice, serving as Councillor for a total of three terms.[8]

As a city councillor, Kang served the community of Burnaby through several sub-roles[9] such as

• Council Liaison for the Public Library Board
• Vice Chair of the Environment Committee
• Member of the Public Safety Committee
• Council Youth Liaison.

Kang also led environmental initiatives and infrastructure projects while on Council - fostering the development of a food scrap recycling program, and planning the renovation and restructuring of the city's main library.[10][11]

Effective June 27, 2017, Kang was on unpaid leave from her position as Burnaby City councillor due to her recent election to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.

Her vacant position on Burnaby City Council was left vacant until the 2018 municipal election.[12]

Provincial politics (2017-present)

Kang was elected as MLA for Burnaby-Deer Lake in the 2017 Provincial Election.[13] She succeeds Kathy Corrigan, wife of Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan.[14]

Kang is one of the first three Taiwanese-Canadians to be elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. (Minister of State for Childcare Katrina Chen and Parliamentary Secretary for TransLink Bowinn Ma, were also elected as MLAs in the BCNDP Government during the 2017 Election.[15])

Kang is a member of the New Democratic Party of British Columbia.[16] She currently serves as Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors within the Government of British Columbia.[17]

Electoral record

2017 British Columbia general election: Burnaby-Deer Lake
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	New Democratic	Anne Kang	8,747	47.89
	Liberal	Karen Xiao Bao Wang	6,491	35.54
	Green	Rick McGowan	2,209	12.09
	Conservative	Graham Bowers	589	3.22
	Independent	Elias Ishak	229	1.25
Total valid votes			18,265	100.00
Source: Elections BC[18]

References

1. "Councillor Anne Kang". www.burnaby.ca. Retrieved 2017-12-29.
2. "Councillor Anne Kang". Burnaby City Hall. City of Burnaby. Retrieved 2017-06-27.
3. https://www.burnaby.ca/Our-City-Hall/Mayor---Council/Council-Profiles/Councillor-Anne-Kang.html
4. "Councillor Anne Kang". www.burnaby.ca. Retrieved 2017-12-29.
5. "Anne Kang". Your BCA Team for Council. Burnaby Citizens Association. Archived from the original on 2017-04-14. Retrieved 2017-06-27.
6. "Councillor Anne Kang". Burnaby City Hall. City of Burnaby. Retrieved 2017-06-27.
7. "NDP MLA Anne Kang hopes to begin a dialogue to end the stigma around stuttering". Georgia Straight Vancouver's News & Entertainment Weekly. 2017-10-23. Retrieved 2017-12-29.
8. "Councillor Anne Kang". Burnaby City Hall. City of Burnaby. Retrieved 2017-06-27.
9. "Councillor Anne Kang". Burnaby City Hall. City of Burnaby. Retrieved 2017-06-27.
10. "Anne Kang". Your BCA Team for Council. Burnaby Citizens Association. Archived from the original on 2017-04-14. Retrieved 2017-07-03.
11. "Metrotown Library to get $400K Reno". City of Burnaby. 2016-02-06. Archived from the original on 2016-08-17. Retrieved 2017-07-03.
12. "No Byelection to be Held for Kang's Seat". Burnaby Now. Retrieved 2017-07-03.
13. "BC Votes 2017". CBC Politics. CBC News. 2017-05-09. Retrieved 2017-05-09.
14. "Burnaby councillor and music teacher Anne Kang named replacement for retiring B.C. NDP MLA Kathy Corrigan". Vancouver Sun.
15. "Taiwanese Canadian leader describes election of three B.C. MLAs as historic milestone". CBC Politics. The Georgia Straight. 2017-06-07. Retrieved 2017-06-17.
16. "Your Team". BC NDP Caucus. BC NDP. Retrieved 2017-06-28.
17. "Anne Kang to Serve as Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors". BC Care Providers Association. BC Care Providers Association. 2017-07-19. Retrieved 2017-07-20.
18. "2017 Provincial General Election Preliminary Voting Results". Elections BC. Retrieved 11 May 2017.