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38th Parliament Members
at dissolution on April 14, 2009

Photo of MLA

MLA: Hon. Ida Chong 

Oak Bay-Gordon Head


Minister of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development and
Minister Responsible for the Asia-Pacific Initiative

Elected: 1996, 2001, 2005

BRITISH COLUMBIA LIBERAL PARTY

Ida Chong was appointed Minister of Technology, Trade and Economic Development and Minister Responsible for the Asia-Pacific Initiative on June 23, 2008.

Ida Chong previously served as Minister of Community Services, with responsibilities for local governments, Seniors' and Women's Issues and the B.C. Public Service Agency. In addition to her role as Minister, Ms. Chong also currently serves on Cabinet's Committee for Climate Action and B.C.’s Treasury Board.

Ms. Chong was appointed Community Services Minister in June of 2005 – having previously held Cabinet portfolios as Minister of Advanced Education and as Minister of State for Women’s and Seniors’ Services.

A native of greater Victoria, Minister Chong has represented her constituency of Oak Bay-Gordon Head since she first entered provincial politics in 1996. During her first term at the legislature she was the Official Opposition critic in a number of areas, including critic for Small Business and Deputy Critic of Finance.

Ms. Chong has been involved in her community for years - volunteering for a number of not-for-profit groups and serving as municipal councillor for the District of Saanich, from 1993 - 1996.

For nearly 20 years, she was senior partner in an accounting practice based in Saanich, catering to small and medium sized enterprises. While no longer in active practice, she proudly retains her credentials as a Certified General Accountant, having won a number of awards for her work in this field, including being named in 2006, a Fellow of the Certified General Accountants Association of Canada, a national designation for exemplary service.