George Chow

The Honourable
George Chow
MLA
Minister of State (Trade) of British Columbia
Assumed office
July 18, 2017
Premier John Horgan
Preceded by Position Created
Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly
for Vancouver-Fraserview
Assumed office
May 9, 2017
Preceded by Suzanne Anton
Vancouver City Councillor
In office
November 19, 2005 – December 5, 2011
Personal details
Born 1950 or 1951
China
Political party New Democratic Party (provincial)
Vision Vancouver (municipal)
Residence Vancouver, British Columbia

George Chow (周烱華) is a Chinese-born Canadian politician. He was elected as a New Democratic Party Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in the 2017 provincial election, representing the riding of Vancouver-Fraserview. He is currently the Minister of State for Trade. He was previously a two-term Vancouver City Councillor who was elected as a member of the Vision Vancouver party in 2005 and 2008.[1] Prior to being elected Chow worked at BC Hydro for over 30 years, where he currently works part-time.[1]

Background

Chow was born in China[1][2] in either 1950 or 1951, and immigrated to Canada from Hong Kong in 1965 at the age of 14 and settled in Vancouver.[3] His father was a cook, and his mother a farm worker.[2] After immigrating, Chow grew up in the Downtown Eastside.[1] He initially enrolled at William Dawson School and then transferred to Britannia Secondary School.[2] He went on to complete a degree in mechanical engineering at the University of British Columbia.[2]

Political career

He first ran for council as an independent in 2002 because of his opposition to the proposed safe injection site in the Downtown Eastside near Chinatown.[2] Chow reassessed his position on the safe injection site following its 2003 opening[4] and was subsequently recruited by Vision Vancouver to join its slate for his successful 2005 campaign.[1] He was re-elected for a second term in 2008.[5]

He also served on many community organizations as a volunteer including: the Urban Spirit Foundation, Vancouver Public Library Board, Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver, Boys and Girls Clubs of South Coast BC, Chinese Benevolent Association of Vancouver, Vancouver Chinatown Merchants Association, S.U.C.C.E.S.S., and various family associations. He was actively involved with the building of the Chinese Cultural Centre in Vancouver's Chinatown during the 1970s and 1980s.

Electoral record

British Columbia general election, 2017: Vancouver-Fraserview
Party Candidate Votes%
New DemocraticGeorge Chow10,16047.67
LiberalSuzanne Anton9,17143.21
GreenEric Kolotyluk1,5807.45
Your Political PartyHarpreet S. Bajwa1560.74
LibertarianHiroshi Hyde1550.73
Total valid votes 21,222100.00
Source: Elections BC[6]
British Columbia general election, 2013: Vancouver-Langara
Party Candidate Votes%
LiberalMoira Stilwell10,23452.60
New DemocraticGeorge Chow7,44738.28
GreenRegan-Heng Zhang1,0555.42
ConservativeGurjinder Bains6743.46
PlatinumEspavo Sozo450.23
Total valid votes 19455100.00
Total rejected ballots 1720.88
Turnout 1962750.52
Source: Elections BC[7]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Councillor George Chow" Archived December 2, 2010, at the Wayback Machine., Vancouver City Website, Accessed August 29, 2009.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Vision's George Chow: Chinatown/DTES Native Son" Archived 2013-02-04 at Archive.is, Vancouver Observer, December 11, 2008.
  3. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-03-24. Retrieved 2011-05-19.
  4. ↑ "The Conversion of George Chow", The Tyee, October 19, 2005.
  5. ↑ "Election Results: November 15, 2008", Vancouver City Website, Accessed August 29, 2009.
  6. ↑ "2017 Provincial General Election Preliminary Voting Results". Elections BC. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
  7. ↑ "Statement of Votes - 40th Provincial General Election" (PDF). Elections BC. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
British Columbia Provincial Government of John Horgan
Cabinet post (1)
Predecessor Office Successor
Teresa Wat Minister of State for Trade
July 18, 2017–		 Incumbent
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