Olivia Chow

Olivia Chow’s quest for a better society has been a lifelong journey – a journey that has taken her from her childhood in Hong Kong around the world to Toronto and to one of the most extraordinary careers in Canadian political life. First as a City Councillor, then as a Member of Parliament, Olivia has been a tireless activist for Trinity-Spadina constituents.

First elected as a school trustee in 1985, Olivia won election as a Metro Councillor in 1991 – breaking new ground as the first Asian woman elected at the municipal level in Toronto. After Toronto’s amalgamation in 1997, she was elected then re-elected three times as City Councillor for the ward of Trinity-Spadina in downtown Toronto.

Olivia was first elected as a Member of Parliament in January of 2006 and was re-elected in October of 2008. As the Advocate for Child Care, Citizenship and Immigration Critic in the NDP Shadow Cabinet, Olivia boasts a legacy of achievement after decades of public service in Toronto. She worked to create a more liveable and dynamic city through her leadership and dedication to improve economic opportunity, eradicate child poverty, enhance the environment and the waterfront, and strengthen social services, immigrant services, child care, affordable housing and affordable public transit. She also was an advocate for the arts, culture and rich diversity that today, set Toronto apart.

As a Member of Parliament and the New Democratic Party’s current immigration critic, Olivia has successfully sponsored significant immigration motions to permit Iraq war resisters stay in Canada, stop the deportation of long-term undocumented workers, and to allow all spouses being sponsored, to actually live with their families in Canada. She has been relentless in her push for expediting family reunification, halting the exploitation of temporary workers and demanding that foreign credentials be recognized.

Olivia Chow has had the rare distinction of being voted best City Councillor seven times by the readers of NOW magazine and best local politician four times by readers of Eye magazine. She has also been the recipient of numerous recognitions including “Woman of the Year” from Consumers Choice of Canada and was awarded an honourary degree from the Ontario College of Art and Design.

As she enters her third decade in public life, Olivia Chow is just beginning to hit her stride. The journey is ongoing – Olivia’s quest for a better society and her determination to make a difference continue.