Anne Kang

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.[2]

As a fervor life-long learner, she completed her post-secondary education at the University of British Columbia, receiving a Bachelor of Music, a Bachelor of Education (Elementary), and Diploma in Special Education (Learning Disability). Kang has received a Master’s Degree in Special Education (Gifted and Creative Learning) and completed two levels of Montessori Certification. She continually strives to further her education to support her current endeavors, obtaining certificates in Sustainable Business Strategy from Harvard University, and certificates in Change Leadership, and Financial Accounting, both from Cornell University.

Kang's personal interests are in the areas of social sustainability, youth and young adults, education and immigration.[3]

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]

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]

Kang was elected as MLA for Burnaby-Deer Lake in the 2020 Provincial Election and 2017 Provincial Election.[13] She succeeded Kathy Corrigan, wife of Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan in the 2017 election.[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 Minister of State for Infrastructure 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 has previously served as the Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors within the Government of British Columbia.[17] She also previously served as the Minister of Citizens' Services and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism.[18] Starting from the 2020 election, she currently serves as the Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training.