Councillor James Wang
I was born in the beautiful southern city of Suzhou, and was raised in Xi’an, a northwest China city well-known for its rich history and the world-renowned 2,000 year-old Terra Cotta Warriors.
An accomplished architect in China, I used my expertise and energy to meet the challenge of starting out in a new country. I moved to Canada in 1996, and have lived in Burnaby with my family for almost 20 years.
I was first elected to City Council in 2014 and re-elected in 2018. As a Councillor, I am working very hard to keep Burnaby a strong and vibrant city for everyone, and to keep improving the quality of life while protecting affordability.
I became the first immigrant from Mainland China to be elected in Canada when Burnaby voters elected me Trustee, Board of Education in 2008. I strongly believe in the importance of the public school system and, as Trustee, worked very hard to ensure children are successful learners and receive a quality education in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment. My own two children attended Burnaby public schools, enjoying its many benefits.
I have a Master’s degree in Business Administration and I am fluent in English and Mandarin. My accomplishments include: Independent Director & Senior Advisor with Canada Export Centre; Honorary President of the Northwest Benevolent Association of Canada; and Advisor with the Canada Community Service Association (CCSA). In 2006 I was recognized by the Vancouver Sun as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Chinese-Canadians in BC. I was a BC Multicultural Award nominee in 2015.
As a 2014 winner of the RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrants Award, I am honoured to be in the company of prestigious past winners, including Canadian Football League legend Michael “Pinball” Clemons, Olympian Donovan Bailey, former Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, former MP Olivia Chow, Steve Nash and many others.
My volunteer activities include fundraising campaigns and charity donations. As the Charter President of Rotary Dragon Club- Greater Vancouver and founding member of Chinese Ambassador Society (CAS) of Burnaby Hospital Foundation, I have led the campaigns in fundraising for Burnaby Hospital Foundation. CAS proudly received the 2018 Keith and Betty Beedie Leadership in Philanthropy Award. I have helped gather and donate hundred winters boots to local societies including BASES and Tzu Chi Foundation Canada (Burnaby Branch) and blankets to Burnaby Warming Centre.
As the founder of the Chinese Cultural Festival in Swangard and the Burnaby Lake Run, I enjoy promoting multicultural activities in Burnaby –Canada’s most diverse city – and acting as a bridge between Burnaby’s diverse communities, building harmony and improving our life here in Burnaby.
City Council Committees
- Chair, International Relations and Friendship Cities
- Vice-chair, Public Safety
- Member, Mayor’s Task Force on Community Housing
- Member, Planning and Development
- Alternative Representative, New Vista Society
- Member, Community Heritage Commission
- Representative, District Community School Advisory and Coordinating
- Member, Environment and Social Planning
- Member, Traffic Safety
- Member, Simon Fraser Liaison
Community Involvement
- Charter President, Rotary Club of Dragon, Greater Vancouver
- Founding Director, Chinese Ambassador Society of Burnaby Hospital Foundation
- Honorary Chair, Organizing Committee Burnaby Lake Run
- Honorary President, Northwest Benevolent Association
- Advisor, Canadian Alliance of Chinese Associations
- Past Co-Chairman, Canadian Community Service Association (CCSA)
- Founding Director, North America Golf Association
- Vice President, Canadian Chinese Table Tennis Federation
- Vice President, Chang’an University Alumni Association (Canada)
