Father, we are blessed to have MLA: Jenny Wai Ching Kwan in our legislature. Thank You for her many years of experience in a variety of roles and the wisdom she has gained in the process. We pray that You will open those doors for her that You want her to walk through where her experience can be used for the most benefit for the citizens of this awesome province that You have created for us. We also pray that she will continue to be supported and encouraged by her colleagues as she goes about her days. Make her times with family and friends extra special in this upcoming season of her life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Jenny Kwan was first elected as the MLA for Vancouver – Mount Pleasant in 1996, becoming one of the first Chinese-Canadians to sit in BC’s Legislative Assembly and the first Chinese Canadian Cabinet Minister in the history of B.C. She was re-elected in 2001, 2005 and again on May 12, 2009.
Jenny serves as opposition critic for Jobs, Economic Development and Trade.
Born in Hong Kong, Jenny Wai Ching Kwan immigrated to Canada with her family when she was nine years old.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Criminology) from Simon Fraser University. Jenny began working as a community legal advocate in the Downtown Eastside shortly after graduation.
Jenny was elected to Vancouver City Council in 1993 –becoming the youngest councillor in Vancouver’s history — and served for three years as the sole representative of Vancouver’s progressive municipal political party, COPE.
In 1998 Jenny was appointed Minister of Municipal Affairs, becoming BC’s first Chinese-Canadian cabinet minister. Jenny also served as Minister of Women’s Equality and Minister of Community Development, Cooperatives and Volunteers and was the provincial government’s lead person in developing the Vancouver Agreement.
Jenny is married and lives in East Vancouver with her husband, daughter, son and stepson.