Ida Chong
Ida Chong (Chinese: 張杏芳; pinyin: Zhāng Xìngfāng; born 1956 or 1957)[1] is a British Columbia politician who served as MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head from 1996 until 2013. Chong and BC NDP MLA Jenny Kwan together became the first Chinese-Canadian members of the BC Legislative Assembly. She was subject to a recall in 2010, which she survived, and was a cabinet minister for much of her career. In 2014, she ran for mayor of Victoria, BC.
Ida Chong | |
---|---|
Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly for Oak Bay-Gordon Head | |
In office May 28, 1996 – May 14, 2013 | |
Preceded by | Elizabeth Cull |
Succeeded by | Andrew Weaver |
Minister of State for Women’s and Seniors’ Services of British Columbia | |
In office January 26, 2004 – December 15, 2004 | |
Premier | Gordon Campbell |
Succeeded by | Wendy McMahon |
Minister of Advanced Education of British Columbia | |
In office December 15, 2004 – June 16, 2005 | |
Premier | Gordon Campbell |
Preceded by | Shirley Bond |
Succeeded by | Murray Coell |
Minister of Community Services of British Columbia | |
In office June 16, 2005 – June 23, 2008 | |
Premier | Gordon Campbell |
Preceded by | Murray Coell |
Succeeded by | Blair Lekstrom |
Minister responsible for Seniors' and Women's Issues of British Columbia | |
In office June 16, 2005 – June 23, 2008 | |
Premier | Gordon Campbell |
Preceded by | Wendy McMahon |
Minister of Technology, Trade and Economic Development of British Columbia | |
In office June 23, 2008 – January 19, 2009 | |
Premier | Gordon Campbell |
Preceded by | Colin Hansen |
Succeeded by | Ida Chong (Technology and Economic Development) |
Minister responsible for Asia-Pacific Initiative of British Columbia | |
In office June 23, 2008 – June 10, 2009 | |
Premier | Gordon Campbell |
Preceded by | Colin Hansen |
Minister of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development of British Columbia | |
In office January 19, 2009 – June 10, 2009 | |
Premier | Gordon Campbell |
Preceded by | Kevin Krueger (Small Business), Ida Chong (Technology, Economic Development) |
Succeeded by | Iain Black |
Minister of Healthy Living and Sport of British Columbia | |
In office June 10, 2009 – October 25, 2010 | |
Premier | Gordon Campbell |
Preceded by | Mary Polak |
Minister of Science and Universities of British Columbia | |
Assumed office October 25, 2010 | |
Premier | Gordon Campbell |
Minister of Regional Economic and Skills Development of British Columbia | |
Assumed office November 22, 2010 | |
Premier | Gordon Campbell |
Preceded by | Moira Stilwell |
Personal details | |
Born | 1956/1957 (age 63–64) Victoria, British Columbia |
Occupation | Certified General Accountant |
Career
Born and raised in Victoria, British Columbia, Chong began her political career in 1993 as a municipal councillor for the District of Saanich. She ran her own accounting firm with business partner Karen Kesteloo and is a fellow of the Certified General Accountant of BC (FCGA). She was awarded a CGA-BC lifetime membership in September 2014.
Chong was the BC Liberal MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head for 17 years until she lost to the BC Green candidate Andrew Weaver in 2013. She was first elected in 1996 while the BC NDP controlled government and she served as Opposition Critic for Small Business and Deputy Critic for Finance in her first term. Together with NDP MLA Jenny Kwan, Chong was one of the first two Chinese-Canadian members of the BC Legislative Assembly when elected in 1996.[2] Chong was re-elected in 2001, 2005, and 2009 before losing to Andrew Weaver in 2013. During her time as MLA, Chong held various cabinet positions including as Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation; Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development; Minister of Science and Universities; Minister of Regional, Economic and Skills Development; Minister of Healthy Living and Sport; Minister of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development; Minister Responsible for the Asia-Pacific Initiative; Minister of Community Services; Minister of Advanced Education; and Minister of State for Women's and Senior's Services.[3]
2010 recall
Chong was the subject of an MLA recall, under the British Columbia Recall and Initiative Act.[4] Chong was targeted for recall as part of a larger campaign opposing the introduction of the Harmonized Sales Tax.[5] The recall ultimately failed, coming up short of the required signatures.[6]
2014 Victoria municipal election
On September 18, 2014, Chong announced her intention to run for mayor of the City of Victoria in the November 2014 municipal election.[7] Chong subsequently lost, coming a distant third behind new mayor, Lisa Helps, and previous mayor Dean Fortin.[8]
Community volunteer work
Chong has been an active member of the Victoria, BC community volunteering on a number of boards.[9]
- University of Victoria, Board of Governors[10]
- Inaugural Member, Victoria Chinese Commerce Association[11][12]
- Director, Victoria Dragon Boat Festival[13]
References
- Economics changing: Comfortable neighbourhoods now encompass young, old, rich and poor: [Final Edition] Harnett, Cindy EView Profile. Times - Colonist [Victoria, B.C] 12 May 2005: A4.
- "Ida Chong". Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
- "39th Parliament Members at dissolution on April 16, 2013". Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
- Harnett, Cindy (30 November 2010). "Elections BC approves recall petition". Times Colonist.
- Mason, Gary (3 January 2011). "Ida Chong Recall Campaign Makes Little Sense". The Globe and Mail.
- CBC News (3 February 2011). "Chong Recall Bid Fails". CBC News.
- Laird, Kevin (18 September 2014). "Ida Chong to seek Victoria mayor's seat". Victoria News.
- "Victoria election results 2014: Full results". Global News. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
- Board Resourcing and Development Office. "Member Biographies: Ida Chong". Government of British Columbia.
- University of Victoria. "University of Victoria Board of Governors". University of Victoria.
- Victoria Chinese Commerce Association. "About Us: Founding Members". Victoria Chinese Commerce Association.
- 150 Gold Mountain. "About the VCCA (Victoria Chinese Commerce Association)". Archived from the original on 2014-10-06.
- Victoria Dragon Boat Festival Society. "About Us: Directors and Team". Victoria Dragon Boat Festival Society.