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Jenny Kwan

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Jenny Kwan
MP
Kwan in 2024
Member of Parliament
for Vancouver East
Incumbent
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
Minister of Community Development, Cooperatives and Volunteers of British Columbia
In office
February 29, 2000 – June 5, 2001
PremierUjjal Dosanjh
Preceded byJan Pullinger
Succeeded byGeorge Abbott
Minister of Women's Equality of British Columbia
In office
July 21, 1999 – February 24, 2000
PremierGlen Clark
Dan Miller
Preceded bySue Hammell
Succeeded byEvelyn Gillespie
Minister of Municipal Affairs of British Columbia
In office
February 18, 1998 – July 21, 1999
PremierGlen Clark
Preceded byMichael Farnworth
Succeeded byJim Doyle
Personal details
BornJenny Wai Ching Kwan
1967 (age 58–59)
British Hong Kong
PartyNew Democratic
Spouse
Dan Small
​
​
(m. 2001, divorced)​
Alma materSimon Fraser University (BA)
Websitewww.jennykwanndp.ca
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese關慧貞
Simplified Chinese关慧贞
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinGuān Huìzhēn
Yue: Cantonese
JyutpingGwaan1 Wai6-zing1

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 first elected to the House of Commons in 2015.

She was previously a member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia (MLA), representing Vancouver-Mount Pleasant from 1996 to 2015 with the British Columbia (BC) NDP, and together with Liberal MLA Ida Chong became the first Chinese-Canadian members of the BC legislature. Kwan was also the province's first Chinese-Canadian cabinet minister,[1] serving from 1998 to 2001. Kwan entered politics in 1993, when she was elected to the Vancouver City Council.

Background

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Kwan immigrated to Canada at age nine with her family from British Hong Kong.[2] She speaks English, French, and Cantonese. She graduated from Simon Fraser University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts in criminology,[3] then started her career as a community legal advocate in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside before entering politics.[2]

She married Dan Small in 2001;[4] they have two children together.[2] After separating from Small, Kwan moved to Vancouver's Kitsilano neighbourhood with her children in 2013.[5]

Political career

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Municipal politics (1993–1996)

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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)

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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.[2] She succeeded Premier Mike Harcourt, who at the time had just resigned over a series of serious fundraising scandals, including Bingogate. She served as the government caucus deputy whip, parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Health, and member of the Select Standing Committee for Public Accounts in the 36th Parliament.[1] She was named Minister of Municipal Affairs by Premier Glen Clark in February 1998, and was re-assigned as Minister of Women's Equality in July 1999.[6] After Ujjal Dosanjh took over as premier in February 2000, Kwan was named Minister of Community Development, Cooperatives and Volunteers.[7][8]

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.[9][10] She served as a member of the Select Standing Committee on Education and chair of the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts in the 37th Parliament.[1] She was re-elected in 2005, 2009, and 2013,[11] continuing to serve as an opposition MLA.

Leadership controversy, December 2010

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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.[10][12][13] In response to Kwan's statement, James called an emergency caucus session to address opposition to her continued leadership.[14][15] Before the caucus meeting was held, however, James announced her resignation as party leader.[16][17] While Kwan was accused of self-interest, at the time she claimed to have no plans to run for the leadership of the party.[18]

Portland Hotel Society controversy, March 2014

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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.[19][20] At the time of the trip, Kwan had still been married to Small and had participated in the trip with their children.[21] 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.[22] Following the conference, Kwan took a brief leave of absence.[23]

Member of Parliament (2015–present)

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In January 2015, Kwan announced her plan to seek the NDP nomination in Vancouver East for the forthcoming federal election, after NDP MP Libby Davies, who had served since 1997, chose not to seek another term.[24][25][26] Mable Elmore, her legislative colleague from Vancouver-Kensington, was also seeking the party's nomination in the riding.[27] Supporters of Kwan's candidacy included Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs president Stewart Philip, Chinese Freemasons Association president Herbert Yiu, former British Columbia natural resources minister Robert Arthur Williams, and United Steelworkers official Steve Hunt.[24] She was nominated on March 22.[28][29] Vancouver East had elected an MP from the NDP or its predecessor, the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation, in all but two elections since it was first contested in 1935; it voted for Liberal candidates in 1974 and 1993.

She was elected to the House of Commons in October 2015, defeating candidates Edward Wong (Liberal) and James Low (Conservative) by wide margins.[30] On November 12, NDP leader Tom Mulcair appointed her to be the party's critic for immigration, refugees and citizenship.[31] Kwan supported Jagmeet Singh in his successful campaign in the 2017 NDP leadership election.[32]

She was re-elected in the 2019, 2021 and 2025 federal elections.[33]

On May 12, 2023, it was reported that the Canadian Security Intelligence Service approached Kwan about a meeting concerning Chinese diplomats threatening her.[34][35]

As the NDP's critic for immigration and public safety, Kwan has advocated for asylum seekers and opposed legislation seeking to increase border enforcement.[36]

Electoral record

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Federal

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2025 Canadian federal election: Vancouver East
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
New DemocraticJenny Kwan24,94543.65–12.75$105,327.15
LiberalMark Wiens20,28735.50+15.74$81,558.63
ConservativeLita Cabal10,16217.78+6.89$49,685.80
GreenNikida Steel1,0991.92–5.80$5,921.43
People'sMeghan Emily Murphy3290.58–2.21$1,941.84
CommunistKimball Cariou3290.58–0.20none listed
Total valid votes/expense limit 57,15199.40–$136,600.15
Total rejected ballots 3470.60–0.45
Turnout 57,49862.70+7.85
Eligible voters 91,705
New Democratic hold Swing –14.25
Source: Elections Canada[37][38]
2021 Canadian federal election: Vancouver East
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
New DemocraticJenny Kwan27,96956.40+3.83$67,138.66
LiberalJosh Vander Vies9,79719.76+1.62$42,946.92
ConservativeMauro Francis5,39910.89–1.20$9,491.11
GreenCheryl Matthew3,8267.72–6.78$5,835.22
People'sKarin Litzcke1,3822.79+1.57$3,823.14
LibertarianGölök Buday8311.68+0.67none listed
CommunistNatasha Hale3870.78+0.46none listed
Total valid votes/expense limit 49,59198.95–$119,373.85
Total rejected ballots 5281.05+0.10
Turnout 50,11954.85–5.43
Eligible voters 91,371
New Democratic hold Swing +1.10
Source: Elections Canada[39][40]
2019 Canadian federal election: Vancouver East
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
New DemocraticJenny Kwan29,23652.57+2.64$84,286.14
LiberalKyle Demes10,08518.13–10.02$25,852.88
GreenBridget Burns8,06214.50+5.31$51,975.81
ConservativeChris Corsetti6,72412.09+1.32$4,528.19
People'sKarin Litzcke6791.22–$5,873.34
LibertarianGölök Buday5621.01–$182.20
CommunistPeter Marcus1770.32–0.58$476.56
Marxist–LeninistAnne Jamieson860.15–0.21none listed
Total valid votes/expense limit 55,61199.04–$116,776.71
Total rejected ballots 5370.96+0.27
Turnout 56,14860.28–5.90
Eligible voters 93,146
New Democratic hold Swing +6.33
Source: Elections Canada[41][42]
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–none listed
IndependentD. Alex Millar2160.37–$487.05
Marxist–LeninistAnne Jamieson2140.36–0.35none listed
PirateShawn Vulliez1880.32–none listed
Total valid votes/expense limit 58,70899.31–$226,454.95
Total rejected ballots 4050.69+0.07
Turnout 59,11366.18+11.76
Eligible voters 89,324
New Democratic hold Swing −15.57
Source: Elections Canada[43][44]

Provincial

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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[45]
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 17,564100
Total rejected ballots 2181.23
Turnout 17,78246.47
New Democratic hold Swing +0.10
2005 British Columbia general election: Vancouver-Mount Pleasant
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
New DemocraticJenny Kwan12,97464.24+19.76$98,030
LiberalJuliet Andalis4,29821.28-11.90$34,819
GreenRaven Bowen2,06610.23-5.99$1,882
MarijuanaChristopher Patrick Bennett3081.53-1.50$100
IndependentMike Hansen2051.02–$406
Work LessNiki Westman1870.93–$100
CommunistPeter Marcus980.49-0.39$2,928
Democratic ReformImtiaz Popat430.21–$100
PlatinumKirk Anton Moses170.08–$130
Total valid votes 20,196100
Total rejected ballots 3121.54
Turnout 20,50849.93
New Democratic hold Swing +15.83
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 16,105100.00
Total rejected ballots 2081.29
Turnout 16,31359.36
New Democratic hold Swing -14.2
1996 British Columbia general election: Vancouver-Mount Pleasant
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
New DemocraticJenny Kwan11,15564.05+0.72$41,905
LiberalAnne Beer4,24324.36+4.71$32,735
GreenPaul Alexander7594.36+1.65$100
Progressive DemocratJohn Spark5843.35$100
ReformWayne Marsden3542.03+1.53
CommunistKimball Cariou1210.69$319
Natural LawJohn S.W. Kent1140.65$120
Social CreditAgnes Kokko860.49-12.93$526
Total valid votes 17,41698.40
Total rejected ballots 2841.60-2.02
Turnout 17,70060.50-3.52
Registered voters 29,255
New Democratic hold Swing -1.99

See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 3 "Jenny Wai Ching Kwan: 37th Parliament Members at dissolution on April 19, 2005". Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Archived from the original on August 20, 2019. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "MLA: Jenny Wai Ching Kwan". Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  3. ↑ "SFU fields crop of election hopefuls". Simon Fraser University. May 23, 1996. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  4. ↑ Hutchinson, Brian (March 21, 2014). "Brian Hutchinson: Scandal that left B.C. NDP MLA in tears (and repaying $34,992.27) hasn't played itself out yet". National Post. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  5. ↑ Shaw, Rob (April 10, 2014). "MLA Jenny Kwan, who represents one of Canada's poorest neighbourhoods, scoops up $1.9M Kitsilano home". The Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on June 19, 2017. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  6. ↑ "Glen Clark Cabinet: 35th Parliament (5th Session) 1996; 36th Parliament (1st - 3rd Session) 1996 - 1999" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 16, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Dosanjh Cabinet: 36th Parliament (3rd - 5th Session) 2000 - 2001" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 1, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  8. ↑ "New B.C. cabinet". CBC News. February 29, 2000. Archived from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  9. ↑ McMartin, Will (September 14, 2005). "Budget Battlers Ready to Rumble". The Tyee.
  10. 1 2 MacLeod, Andrew (December 2, 2010). "James Allies Scramble to Defend Against Kwan's Attack". The Tyee.
  11. ↑ LABC. "Official Biography: Jenny Wai Ching Kwan (40th Parliament)". Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.
  12. ↑ MacLeod, Andrew (December 1, 2010). "'Carole James is dividing the party': NDP MLA Kwan". The Tyee.
  13. ↑ Fowlie, Jonathan (December 2, 2010). "NDP leader Carole James will convene emergency meeting over revolt". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on December 6, 2010.
  14. ↑ Thomson, Stephen (December 3, 2010). "Jenny Kwan says she will "wait and see" outcome of emergency NDP caucus session". Georgia Straight.
  15. ↑ MacLeod, Andrew (December 3, 2010). "'Every MLA Will Be Held Accountable': James". The Tyee.
  16. ↑ Fowlie, Jonathan and Rob Shaw (December 6, 2010). "Carole James quits as NDP leader". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on March 16, 2011.
  17. ↑ Tieleman, Bill (December 7, 2010). "She Had to Go: Carole James' resignation was inevitable after NDP's 2009 election defeat". The Tyee.
  18. ↑ Smith, Charlie (December 1, 2010). "Jenny Kwan doesn't want to become NDP leader, so who will it be?". Georgia Straight.
  19. ↑ Rob Shaw; Tiffany Crawford (March 20, 2014). "Portland Hotel Society audit finds hundreds of thousands of dollars in questionable expenses". The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved March 20, 2014.[dead link]
  20. ↑ Laanela, Mike (March 21, 2014). "NDP MLA Jenny Kwan repaying $35K for Europe, Disney trips". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
  21. ↑ Bains, Camille (March 21, 2014). "NDP MLA and family took Disney trip cited in scathing audit". CTV / Canadian Press. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  22. ↑ "Jenny Kwan Unpaid Leave Still Being Worked Out: Adrian Dix". Huffington Post. The Canadian Press. March 24, 2014.
  23. ↑ Hunter, Justine; Bailey, Ian (March 24, 2014). "Jenny Kwan takes temporary leave amid questions about social-services provider". The Globe and Mail.
  24. 1 2 Luba, Frank (January 25, 2015). "Jenny Kwan to run for federal NDP seat in Vancouver East". Vancouver Sun. The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on May 4, 2015.
  25. ↑ Smith, Charlie (December 16, 2014). "NDP can hold Vancouver East if the party chooses the right candidate". The Georgia Straight.
  26. ↑ Nuttall, Jeremy (February 4, 2015). "Game On For Coveted East Van Riding". The Tyee.
  27. ↑ The Province (January 18, 2015). "Elmore officially launches NDP nomination bid for Vancouver East". The Province. Archived from the original on March 24, 2015. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  28. ↑ "MLA Jenny Kwan selected as NDP representative for Vancouver East". CKNW. March 22, 2015.
  29. ↑ "Jenny Kwan wins federal NDP nomination for Vancouver East". CBC News. March 22, 2015.
  30. ↑ "Canada election 2015: Big name B.C. politicians challenged". CBC News. October 19, 2015.
  31. ↑ "Mulcair announces shadow cabinet, and vows to make sure Liberal government 'fulfills its promises'". National Post. November 12, 2015.
  32. ↑ Duggan, Kyle (July 28, 2017). "Jenny Kwan endorses Singh in NDP race". iPolitics. Archived from the original on July 29, 2017. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
  33. ↑ Dickson, Courtney (April 29, 2025). "NDP projected to lose 10 seats in B.C., capping a miserable night for the party". CBC News. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  34. ↑ CBC News (May 12, 2023). "CSIS has begun offering other MPs briefings on foreign interference". CBC News. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  35. ↑ Lord, Craig (May 29, 2023). "NDP's Jenny Kwan says CSIS revealed China is targeting her". Global News. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  36. ↑ Major, Darren (June 26, 2025). "Advocacy groups warn federal bill could give law enforcement sweeping powers to access information". CTV News. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  37. ↑ "Forty-Fifth General Election 2025 — Poll-by-poll Results: Vancouver East". elections.ca. Elections Canada. 2025.
  38. ↑ Canada, Chief Electoral Officer (2025). "Candidate Campaign Returns, 2025 General Election: Part 3C – Summary of Electoral Campaign Expenses and Other Outflows – Election expenses subject to the limit – Total". elections.ca. Elections Canada. Expenses are reported "as amended" where amendments have been filed; otherwise, they are reported "as submitted".
  39. ↑ "Forty-Fourth General Election 2021 — Poll-by-poll Results: Vancouver East". elections.ca. Elections Canada. 2021.
  40. ↑ Canada, Chief Electoral Officer (2021). "Candidate Campaign Returns, 2021 General Election: Part 3C – Summary of Electoral Campaign Expenses and Other Outflows – Election expenses subject to the limit – Total". elections.ca. Elections Canada. Expenses are reported "as amended" where amendments have been filed; otherwise, they are reported "as submitted".
  41. ↑ "Forty-Third General Election 2019 — Poll-by-poll Results: Vancouver East". elections.ca. Elections Canada. 2019.
  42. ↑ Canada, Chief Electoral Officer (2019). "Candidate Campaign Returns, 2019 General Election: Part 3C – Summary of Electoral Campaign Expenses and Other Outflows – Election expenses subject to the limit – Total". elections.ca. Elections Canada. Expenses are reported "as amended" where amendments have been filed; otherwise, they are reported "as submitted".
  43. ↑ "Forty-Second General Election 2015 — Poll-by-poll Results: Vancouver East". elections.ca. Elections Canada. 2015.
  44. ↑ Canada, Chief Electoral Officer (2015). "Candidate Campaign Returns, 2015 General Election: Part 4 – Campaign Financial Summary – Total election expenses subject to the limit". elections.ca. Elections Canada. Expenses are reported "as amended" where amendments have been filed; otherwise, they are reported "as submitted".
  45. ↑ "Statement of Votes - 40th Provincial General Election" (PDF). Elections BC. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
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