Ida Chong

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Ida Chong bigraphy, stories - Canadian politician

Ida Chong : biography

Ida Chong () is British Columbia’s Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development and was Minister Responsible for the Asia-Pacific Initiative as well as Minister of Technology, Trade, and Economic Development. She has served in this position since June 2008. Previously, Chong was Minister of Community Services, and Minister Responsible for Women’s and Senior’s Services (June 2005 – June 2008), Minister of Advanced Education (December 2004 to June 2005) and Minister of State for Women’s and Senior’s Services (January – December 2004). She was appointed Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development in March 2011.

Chong was the BC Liberal MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head. She was first elected in 1996 and was re-elected in 2001, 2005, and 2009.

Born in Victoria, British Columbia and raised in Gordon Head, Chong began her political career in 1993 as a municipal councillor for the District of Saanich. She is a certified general accountant.

2010 Recall

Chong was the subject of an MLA recall

under the British Columbia Recall and Initiative Act by the grassroots Fight HST organization for her role in supporting her government's introduction of the Harmonized Sales Tax. 

The recall ultimately failed, coming up short of the required signatures but the pressure of the recall effort forced the resignation of Premier Gordon Campbell and the conversion of the Initiative Vote to a Referedum Vote under the British Columbia Referendum Act which ultimately defeated the HST. British Columbians voted 55% in favor of extinguishing the tax and returning to the PST.