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

CGA
Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly
for Oak Bay-Gordon Head
In office
May 28, 1996 – May 14, 2013
Preceded byElizabeth Cull
Succeeded byAndrew Weaver
Minister of State for Women’s and Seniors’ Services of British Columbia
In office
January 26, 2004 – December 15, 2004
PremierGordon Campbell
Succeeded byWendy McMahon
Minister of Advanced Education of British Columbia
In office
December 15, 2004 – June 16, 2005
PremierGordon Campbell
Preceded byShirley Bond
Succeeded byMurray Coell
Minister of Community Services of British Columbia
In office
June 16, 2005 – June 23, 2008
PremierGordon Campbell
Preceded byMurray Coell
Succeeded byBlair Lekstrom
Minister responsible for Seniors' and Women's Issues of British Columbia
In office
June 16, 2005 – June 23, 2008
PremierGordon Campbell
Preceded byWendy McMahon
Minister of Technology, Trade and Economic Development of British Columbia
In office
June 23, 2008 – January 19, 2009
PremierGordon Campbell
Preceded byColin Hansen
Succeeded byIda Chong (Technology and Economic Development)
Minister responsible for Asia-Pacific Initiative of British Columbia
In office
June 23, 2008 – June 10, 2009
PremierGordon Campbell
Preceded byColin Hansen
Minister of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development of British Columbia
In office
January 19, 2009 – June 10, 2009
PremierGordon Campbell
Preceded byKevin Krueger (Small Business), Ida Chong (Technology, Economic Development)
Succeeded byIain Black
Minister of Healthy Living and Sport of British Columbia
In office
June 10, 2009 – October 25, 2010
PremierGordon Campbell
Preceded byMary Polak
Minister of Science and Universities of British Columbia
Assumed office
October 25, 2010
PremierGordon Campbell
Minister of Regional Economic and Skills Development of British Columbia
Assumed office
November 22, 2010
PremierGordon Campbell
Preceded byMoira Stilwell
Personal details
Born1956/1957 (age 63–64)
Victoria, British Columbia
OccupationCertified 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
  1. 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.
  2. "Ida Chong". Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
  3. "39th Parliament Members at dissolution on April 16, 2013". Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
  4. Harnett, Cindy (30 November 2010). "Elections BC approves recall petition". Times Colonist.
  5. Mason, Gary (3 January 2011). "Ida Chong Recall Campaign Makes Little Sense". The Globe and Mail.
  6. CBC News (3 February 2011). "Chong Recall Bid Fails". CBC News.
  7. Laird, Kevin (18 September 2014). "Ida Chong to seek Victoria mayor's seat". Victoria News.
  8. "Victoria election results 2014: Full results". Global News. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
  9. Board Resourcing and Development Office. "Member Biographies: Ida Chong". Government of British Columbia.
  10. University of Victoria. "University of Victoria Board of Governors". University of Victoria.
  11. Victoria Chinese Commerce Association. "About Us: Founding Members". Victoria Chinese Commerce Association.
  12. 150 Gold Mountain. "About the VCCA (Victoria Chinese Commerce Association)". Archived from the original on 2014-10-06.
  13. Victoria Dragon Boat Festival Society. "About Us: Directors and Team". Victoria Dragon Boat Festival Society.
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