Raymond Chan
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Raymond Chan (陳卓愉, pinyin:Chén Zhuōyú) in Chinese, (b. 1951) is the first Chinese Canadian to be appointed to the Cabinet of Canada. However, the honour of being the first Chinese Canadian to be elected into Parliament belongs to Douglas Jung in 1957.
Early life
Raymond Chan was born in Hong Kong on October 25, 1951. He emigrated to Canada in 1969, two years after Canada liberalized its immigration policy. He received a Bachelor's Degree in Applied Science (Engineering Physics) from the University of British Columbia (UBC) in 1977. From 1977 to 1993, he worked as the engineering team leader for Triumf (UBC), working for System Engineering.
Political career
Chan joined the Liberal Party of Canada in 1991, and was elected to Parliament in the 1993 election, defeating high-profile Defence Minister Tom Siddon in the riding of Richmond, British Columbia. He was then appointed by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien as the secretary of state for the Asia-Pacific Region for the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. He served in this position from 1993 to 2000.
He was defeated in the 2000 election by Joe Peschisolido of the Canadian Alliance. After Peschisolido crossed the floor to the Liberal Party, Chan battled Peschisolido for the Liberal Party's nomination, and won it after a fiercely-contested race.
Chan was returned to Parliament in the 2004 election. He was subsequently appointed to the cabinet by Prime Minister Paul Martin as the Minister of State for Multiculturalism.
External links
- Raymond Chan's homepage (http://www.raymondchan.ca)
| 27th Ministry - Government of Paul Martin | ||
| Cabinet Posts (1) | ||
| Minister of State (Multiculturalism) (2004-) | ||
| 26th Ministry - Government of Jean Chrétien | ||
| Sub-Cabinet Posts (1) | ||
| Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) (1993-2001) | ||
| Preceded by: Tom Siddon | Member of Parliament for Richmond, British Columbia 1993-2000, 2004- | Succeeded by: Joe Peschisolido |
| Preceded by: Joe Peschisolido | Succeeded by: -- |