George Chow

For the Canadian veteran, see George Chow (soldier).
George Chow
MLA
周烱華
Minister of State for Trade of British Columbia
In office
July 18, 2017 – December 7, 2022
Premier John Horgan
David Eby
Preceded by Position Created
Succeeded by Jagrup Brar
Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly
for Vancouver-Fraserview
Assumed office
May 9, 2017
Preceded by Suzanne Anton
Vancouver City Councillor
In office
November 19, 2005 – December 5, 2011
Personal details
Born 1950 or 1951
China
Political party New Democratic Party (provincial)
Vision Vancouver (municipal)
Residence(s) Vancouver, British Columbia
George Chow
Traditional Chinese 周烱華
Simplified Chinese 周烱华

George Chow (Chinese: 周烱華) is a Canadian politician. He was elected as a New Democratic Party Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in the 2017 provincial election, representing the riding of Vancouver-Fraserview, and served as the Minister of State for Trade from 2017 to 2022. He was previously a two-term Vancouver City Councillor who was elected as a member of the Vision Vancouver party in 2005 and 2008. Prior to being elected Chow worked at BC Hydro for over 30 years, where he worked part-time when he was a councillor.

Background

Chow was born in China in either 1950 or 1951, and emigrated to Canada from Hong Kong in 1965 at the age of 14 and settled in Vancouver. His father was a cook, and his mother a farm worker. After immigrating, Chow grew up in the Downtown Eastside. He initially enrolled at William Dawson School and then transferred to Britannia Secondary School. He went on to complete a degree in mechanical engineering at the University of British Columbia.

Political career

He first ran for council as an independent in 2002 because of his opposition to the proposed safe injection site in the Downtown Eastside near Chinatown. Chow reassessed his position on the safe injection site following its 2003 opening and was subsequently recruited by Vision Vancouver to join its slate for his successful 2005 campaign. He was re-elected for a second term in 2008.

He also served on many community organizations as a volunteer including: the Urban Spirit Foundation, Vancouver Public Library Board, Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver, Boys and Girls Clubs of South Coast BC, Chinese Benevolent Association of Vancouver, Vancouver Chinatown Merchants Association, S.U.C.C.E.S.S., and various family associations. He was actively involved with the building of the Chinese Cultural Centre in Vancouver's Chinatown during the 1970s and 1980s.

Electoral record

2020 British Columbia general election: Vancouver-Fraserview
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic George Chow 12,247 56.37 +7.80 $42,403.53
Liberal David Grewal 7,511 34.57 −7.65 $64,241.50
Green Françoise Raunet 1,969 9.06 +1.34 $243.99
Total valid votes 21,727 100.00 –
Total rejected ballots 170 0.78 −0.27
Turnout 21,897 50.22 −10.33
Registered voters 43,602
New Democratic hold Swing +0.08
Source: Elections BC
2017 British Columbia general election: Vancouver-Fraserview
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic George Chow 11,487 48.57 +4.01 $68,196
Liberal Suzanne Anton 9,985 42.22 -4.52 $69,911
Green Eric Kolotyluk 1,826 7.72 +2.04 $2,357
Libertarian Hiroshi Hyde 179 0.76 – $56
Your Political Party Harpreet S. Bajwa 174 0.73 – $8,399
Total valid votes 23,651 100.00 –
Total rejected ballots 252 1.05 -0.1
Turnout 23,903 60.55 +5.59
Registered voters 39,479
Source: Elections BC
2013 British Columbia general election: Vancouver-Langara
Party Candidate Votes %
Liberal Moira Stilwell 10,234 52.60
New Democratic George Chow 7,447 38.28
Green Regan-Heng Zhang 1,055 5.42
Conservative Gurjinder Bains 674 3.46
Platinum Espavo Sozo 45 0.23
Total valid votes 19,455 100.00
Total rejected ballots 172 0.88
Turnout 19,627 50.52
Source: Elections BC