Jenny Kwan
MP
Kwan in 2021
Member of Parliament
for Vancouver East
Assumed office
October 19, 2015
Preceded byLibby Davies
Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly
for Vancouver-Mount Pleasant
In office
May 28, 1996 – August 4, 2015
Preceded byMike Harcourt
Succeeded byMelanie Mark
British Columbia Minister of Community Development, Cooperatives and Volunteers
In office
February 29, 2000 – June 5, 2001
PremierUjjal Dosanjh
Preceded byJan Pullinger
Succeeded byGeorge Abbott
British Columbia Minister of Women's Equality
In office
July 21, 1999 – February 24, 2000
PremierGlen Clark
Dan Miller
Preceded byPenny Priddy
Succeeded byEvelyn Gillespie
British Columbia Minister of Municipal Affairs
In office
February 18, 1998 – July 21, 1999
PremierGlen Clark
Preceded byMichael Farnworth
Succeeded byJim Doyle
Personal details
Born1967 (age 56–57)
British Hong Kong
Political partyNew Democratic
ResidenceVancouver[1]
Alma materSimon Fraser University (BA)
Websitewww.jennykwanndp.ca
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese關慧貞
Simplified Chinese关慧贞

Jenny Wai Ching Kwan MP (Chinese: 關慧貞; born 1967) is a Canadian politician who is the member of Parliament (MP) for Vancouver East. A member of the New Democratic Party (NDP), Kwan was elected to the House of Commons in 2015.

She was previously a member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), representing Vancouver-Mount Pleasant from 1996 to 2015 with the British Columbia (BC) NDP, and was a provincial cabinet minister from 1998 to 2001. Kwan entered politics in 1993, when she was elected to the Vancouver City Council.

Background

Kwan emigrated to Canada at age nine with her family from British Hong Kong.[2] She speaks English, French, and Cantonese.

Kwan graduated from Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology.[2] She started her career as a community legal advocate in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside before entering politics.[2]

Political career

Municipal politics (1993–1996)

In 1993, Kwan at age 26 was elected as the youngest-ever member of Vancouver City Council. She was the sole representative of the Coalition of Progressive Electors throughout her term on council.[2]

Provincial politics (1996–2015)

In the 1996 British Columbia general election, Kwan entered provincial politics. After being nominated, she was elected as the MLA for Vancouver-Mount Pleasant, in East Vancouver. She succeeded Premier Mike Harcourt, who at the time had just resigned over a series of serious fundraising scandals, including Bingogate.

In 2001, Kwan, along with Joy MacPhail, was one of only two NDP MLAs to survive the party's electoral collapse in the 2001 British Columbia general election due to a BC Liberal landslide upset.[3][4] She was re-elected in 2005, 2009, and 2013.[5]

Leadership controversy, December 2010

In December 2010, Kwan released a statement to the media criticizing NDP leader Carole James, and calling for an immediate leadership convention, after party candidates suffered defeat in the 2009 election.[4][6][7] In response to Kwan's statement, James called an emergency caucus session to address opposition to her continued leadership.[8][9] Before the caucus meeting was held, however, James announced her resignation as party leader.[10][11] While Kwan was accused of self-interest, at the time she claimed to have no plans to run for the leadership of the party.[12]

Portland Hotel Society controversy, March 2014

In March 2014, an audit of the Portland Hotel Society showed that Kwan's ex-husband, Dan Small, had improperly expensed the cost of a family Disneyland trip to the society.[13][14] At the time of the trip, Kwan had still been married to Small and had participated in the trip with their children.[15] When the audit became public, Kwan held a press conference where she denied any knowledge that the society had paid for the trip, and said she would reimburse the society.[16] Following the conference, Kwan took a brief leave of absence.[17]

Member of Parliament (2015–present)

In January 2015, Kwan announced her plan to seek the NDP nomination in Vancouver East for the forthcoming federal election.[18] Mable Elmore was also seeking the party's nomination in the riding.[19] Kwan was nominated on March 22, and sought to succeed Libby Davies as the MP for the riding; Davies had served as its NDP MP since 1997,[20][21] and the riding had voted for the NDP or its predecessor, the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation, in all but two elections since it was first contested in 1935.

She was elected to the House of Commons in October 2015, defeating candidates Edward Wong (Liberal) and James Low (Conservative) by wide margins.[22] On November 12, NDP leader Tom Mulcair appointed her to be the party's critic for immigration, refugees and citizenship.[23] She was re-elected in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. On May 12, 2023, it was reported that Kwan was approached by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service about a meeting concerning Kwan being threatened by Chinese diplomats.[24][25]

Electoral record

Federal

2021 Canadian federal election: Vancouver East
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
New DemocraticJenny Kwan27,96956.4$70,443.58
LiberalJosh Vander Vies9,79719.8$41,387.88
ConservativeMauro Francis5,39910.9$9,491.11
GreenCheryl Matthew3,8267.7$5,835.22
People'sKarin Litzcke1,3822.8$3,823.14
LibertarianGölök Buday8311.7$0.00
CommunistNatasha Hale3870.8$0.00
Total valid votes/expense limit 45,591––$119,373.85
Total rejected ballots 528
Turnout
Eligible voters
Source: Elections Canada[26]
2019 Canadian federal election: Vancouver East
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
New DemocraticJenny Kwan29,23652.6+2.66$86,021.45
LiberalKyle Demes10,08518.1-10.06$25,852.88
GreenBridget Burns8,06214.5+5.31$51,975.81
ConservativeChris Corsetti6,72412.1+1.33$4,528.19
People'sKarin Litzcke6791.2–$7,718.34
LibertarianGölök Z. Buday5621.0–$182.20
CommunistPeter Marcus1770.3-0.59$476.56
Marxist–LeninistAnne Jamieson860.2-0.16$0.00
Total valid votes/expense limit 55,611100.0
Total rejected ballots 537
Turnout 56,14861.1
Eligible voters 91,951
New Democratic hold Swing +6.36
Source: Elections Canada[27][28]
2015 Canadian federal election: Vancouver East
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
New DemocraticJenny Kwan29,31649.94-12.89$107,948.45
LiberalEdward Wong16,53228.16+18.25$103,236.57
ConservativeJames Low6,32210.77-8.13$10,430.75
GreenWes Regan5,3959.19+1.54$29,914.97
CommunistPeter Marcus5250.89––
IndependentD. Alex Millar2160.37––
Marxist–LeninistAnne Jamieson2140.36-0.35–
PirateShawn Vulliez1880.32––
Total valid votes/Expense limit 58,708100.00 $226,454.95
Total rejected ballots 4050.69–
Turnout 59,11367.44–
Eligible voters 87,657
New Democratic hold Swing -15.57
Source: Elections Canada[29][30][31]

Provincial

2013 British Columbia general election: Vancouver-Mount Pleasant
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
New DemocraticJenny Wai Ching Kwan13,84565.83+1.88$78,020
LiberalCelyna Sia Sherst3,94218.74−2.06$18,622
GreenBarinder Hans2,50611.92−2.36$7,727
MarijuanaWilliam Austin3491.66–$250
IndependentJeremy Gustafson2601.24–$480
CommunistPeter Marcus1290.61−0.36$344
Total valid votes 21,03199.03–
Total rejected ballots 2070.97−0.25
Turnout 21,23849.77+3.30
Registered voters 42,672
New Democratic hold Swing +1.97
Source: Elections BC[32]
2009 British Columbia general election: Vancouver-Mount Pleasant
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
New DemocraticJenny Kwan11,23263.95−0.29$79,796
LiberalSherry Darlene Wiebe3,65420.80−0.48$41,506
GreenJohn T. Boychuck2,50714.28+4.05$7,013
CommunistPeter Marcus1710.97+0.48$1,565
Total valid votes 17,564 100
Total rejected ballots 218 1.23
Turnout 17,782 46.47
2005 British Columbia general election: Vancouver-Mount Pleasant
Party Candidate Votes%Expenditures
New DemocraticJenny Kwan12,97464.24$98,030
LiberalJuliet Andalis4,29821.28$34,819
GreenRaven Bowen2,06610.23$1,882
MarijuanaChristopher Patrick Bennett3081.53$100
IndependentMike Hansen2051.02$406
Work LessNiki Westman1870.93$100
CommunistPeter Marcus980.49$2,928
Democratic ReformImtiaz Popat430.21$100
PlatinumKirk Anton Moses170.08$130
Total valid votes 20,196 100
Total rejected ballots 312 1.54
Turnout 20,508 49.93
2001 British Columbia general election: Vancouver-Mount Pleasant
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
New DemocraticJenny Kwan7,16344.48-19.57$60,582
LiberalGail Sparrow5,34333.18+8.82$56,796
GreenDale Hofmann2,61216.22+11.86$3,276
MarijuanaDavid Malmo-Levine4893.03–$721
UnityKen Wright1661.03–$185
No AffiliationLiar Liar1480.92––
CommunistKimball Cariou1420.88-0.19$332
Party of CitizensFranklin Wayne Poley420.26–331
Total valid votes 16,105 100.00
Total rejected ballots 208 1.29
Turnout 16,313 59.36
New Democratic hold Swing -14.2
1996 British Columbia general election: Vancouver-Mount Pleasant
Party Candidate Votes  % ± Expenditures
New DemocraticJenny Kwan11,15564.05$41,905
LiberalAnne Beer4,24324.36$32,735
GreenPaul Alexander7594.36$100
Progressive DemocratJohn Spark5843.35$100
ReformWayne Marsden3542.03%
CommunistKimball Cariou1210.69$319
Natural LawJohn S.W. Kent1140.65$120
Social CreditAgnes Kokko860.49$526
Total valid votes 17,416100.00
Total rejected ballots 2841.60
Turnout 17,70060.50

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Official Voting Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Official Biography: Jenny Wai Ching Kwan (39th Parliament)". Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.
  3. ↑ McMartin, Will (2005-09-14). "Budget Battlers Ready to Rumble". The Tyee.
  4. 1 2 MacLeod, Andrew (2010-12-02). "James Allies Scramble to Defend Against Kwan's Attack". The Tyee.
  5. ↑ LABC. "Official Biography: Jenny Wai Ching Kwan (40th Parliament)". Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.
  6. ↑ MacLeod, Andrew (2010-12-01). "'Carole James is dividing the party': NDP MLA Kwan". The Tyee.
  7. ↑ Fowlie, Jonathan (2010-12-02). "NDP leader Carole James will convene emergency meeting over revolt". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on 2010-12-06.
  8. ↑ Thomson, Stephen (2010-12-03). "Jenny Kwan says she will "wait and see" outcome of emergency NDP caucus session". Georgia Straight.
  9. ↑ MacLeod, Andrew (2010-12-03). "'Every MLA Will Be Held Accountable': James". The Tyee.
  10. ↑ Fowlie, Jonathan and Rob Shaw (2010-12-06). "Carole James quits as NDP leader". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on 2011-03-16.
  11. ↑ Tieleman, Bill (2010-12-07). "She Had to Go: Carole James' resignation was inevitable after NDP's 2009 election defeat". The Tyee.
  12. ↑ Smith, Charlie (2010-12-01). "Jenny Kwan doesn't want to become NDP leader, so who will it be?". Georgia Straight.
  13. ↑ Rob Shaw; Tiffany Crawford (20 March 2014). "Portland Hotel Society audit finds hundreds of thousands of dollars in questionable expenses". The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  14. ↑ Laanela, Mike (21 March 2014). "NDP MLA Jenny Kwan repaying $35K for Europe, Disney trips". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
  15. ↑ Bains, Camille (21 March 2014). "NDP MLA and family took Disney trip cited in scathing audit". CTV / Canadian Press. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  16. ↑ The Canadian Press (24 March 2014). "Jenny Kwan Unpaid Leave Still Being Worked Out: Adrian Dix". Huffington Post.
  17. ↑ Hunter, Justine and Ian Bailey (24 March 2014). "Jenny Kwan takes temporary leave amid questions about social-services provider". The Globe and Mail.
  18. ↑ The Canadian Press (25 January 2015). "Jenny Kwan to run for federal NDP seat in Vancouver East". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on 4 May 2015.
  19. ↑ The Province (18 January 2015). "Elmore officially launches NDP nomination bid for Vancouver East". The Province.
  20. ↑ Smith, Charlie (16 December 2014). "NDP can hold Vancouver East if the party chooses the right candidate". The Georgia Straight.
  21. ↑ Nuttall, Jeremy (4 February 2015). "Game On For Coveted East Van Riding". The Tyee.
  22. ↑ "Canada election 2015: Big name B.C. politicians challenged". CBC News. October 19, 2015.
  23. ↑ "Mulcair announces shadow cabinet, and vows to make sure Liberal government 'fulfills its promises'". National Post. November 12, 2015.
  24. ↑ CBC News (2023-05-12). "CSIS has begun offering other MPs briefings on foreign interference". CBC News. Archived from the original on 16 May 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  25. ↑ Lord, Craig (May 29, 2023). "NDP's Jenny Kwan says CSIS revealed China is targeting her". Global News. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  26. ↑ "Confirmed candidates — Vancouver East". Elections Canada. 1 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  27. ↑ "List of confirmed candidates". Elections Canada. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  28. ↑ "Election Night Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  29. ↑ Elections Canada – Confirmed candidates for Vancouver East, 30 September 2015
  30. ↑ Elections Canada – Preliminary Election Expenses Limits for Candidates
  31. ↑ "Résultats du soir d'élection - Circonscriptions".
  32. ↑ "Statement of Votes - 40th Provincial General Election" (PDF). Elections BC. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
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