Minister of Technology, Trade and Economic Development and Minister Responsible for the Asia-Pacific Initiative
Ida Chong was appointed Minister of Technology, Trade and Economic Development and Minister Responsible for the Asia-Pacific Initiative on June 23, 2008, previously serving as Minister of Community Services and Minister responsible for Seniors' and Women's Issues, Minister of Advanced Education, and as Minister of State for Women's and Seniors' Services.
Ida has been a hard working constituency MLA. She has effectively represented Oak Bay - Gordon Head since she was first elected in 1996 and re-elected in 2001 and 2005. As a native of Victoria and raised in Gordon Head, Ida prides herself on being in touch with her constituents and bringing their concerns to government. Serving the community has and always will be a top priority for Ms. Chong.
She served as the Official Opposition critic for small business, tourism and culture, the deputy critic of finance, the deputy critic for women's equality and chair of the Official Opposition Committee on the Economy.
Since the 2001 election, Ms. Chong has served on Treasury Board, the Select Standing Committee on Crown Corporations, the Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, and as chair of the Government Caucus Committee on Economy and Government Operations. She was also a member of the Women's Caucus Committee and the Vancouver Island Coastal Caucus. She has also been a member of the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts, the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services, and the Special Committee on the Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform.
Ms. Chong first entered political life as a municipal councillor for the District of Saanich in 1993. Ida has volunteered for several not-for-profit groups in the Victoria region.
Ms. Chong is also a Certified General Accountant and has won several awards for her work as such, including the J.M. MacBeth Award for service at a chapter level, and the Harold Clarke Award for service on a provincial committee. Additionally, in 1999, she was awarded the CGA Community Service Award.
