Councillor James Wang
I was born in the beautiful southern city of Suzhou, and was raised in Xi’an, the northwest China city known for its rich history and the world-renowned 2,000 year-old Terra Cotta Warriors.
I moved to Canada in 1996, and have lived in Burnaby with my family for almost 20 years. An accomplished architect in China, I used my expertise and energy to meet the challenge of starting out in a new country.
I was first elected to City Council in 2014 and re-elected in 2018. As a Councillor, I work very hard to keep Burnaby a strong and vibrant city for everyone, focusing on further improving our quality of life while protecting affordability.
When Burnaby voters elected me as a Trustee, Board of Education in 2008, I became the first new immigrant from Mainland China to be elected in Canada. I strongly believe in the importance of the public school system and as Trustee, I worked very hard to support children to be successful learners 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 for numerous local groups. In 2006 I was recognized by the Vancouver Sun as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Chinese-Canadians in BC. I was a B.C. 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, and Steve Nash.
My volunteer activities include fundraising campaigns and charity donations. I have led fundraising campaigns for Burnaby Hospital Foundation as Charter President of Rotary Dragon Club--Greater Vancouver and founding member of Chinese Ambassador Society of Burnaby Hospital Foundation. Chinese Ambassador Society received the 2018 Keith and Betty Beedie Leadership in Philanthropy Award; I received the Dr. Kenneth Hill Spirit of Philanthropy Award from Burnaby Hospital Foundation in 2019 and a Paul Harris Fellow medal from Rotary International in 2019. I have also helped to gather and donate hundreds of winter boots for local societies including BASES and Tzu Chi Foundation Canada (Burnaby Branch) and blankets for Burnaby’s Warming Centres.
As the founder of both the Chinese and Philippine Cultural Festivals at Swangard Stadium and the Burnaby Lake Run, I enjoy promoting multicultural activities and acting as a bridge between Burnaby’s diverse communities, building harmony and improving our quality of life.
Memberships and Community Links
- Chair, International Relations and Friendship Cities Committee
- Vice-chair, Public Safety Committee
- Member, Mayor’s Task Force on Community Housing
- Member, Planning and Development Committee
- Member, Executive Committee
- Alternative Representative, New Vista Society
- Member, Community Heritage Commission
- Representative, District Community School Advisory and Coordinating
- Member, Environment Committee
- Member, Social Planning Committee
- Member, Traffic Safety Committee
- Member, Simon Fraser Liaison Committee
- Member, Electoral Area A Committee, Metro Vancouver
- National Board Director, Federation of Canadian Municipalities - FCM
- Charter President, Rotary Dragon Club, Greater Vancouver
- Founding Director, Chinese Ambassador Society of Burnaby Hospital Foundation
- Honorary Chair, Organizing Committee Burnaby Lake Run
- Honorary President, Northwest Benevolent Association
- Honorary Chair, Organizing Committee of Multicultural Drum Festival
- Founding Director, North America Golf Association
- Vice President, Canadian Chinese Table Tennis Federation
- Vice President, Chang’an University Alumni Association (Canada)
- Recipient, Honorary 4th Dan, Taekwondo Kukkiwon
- Winner, RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrants Award
- Recipient, Paul Harris Fellows - Rotary Foundation
- Recipient, Dr. Kenneth Hill Spirit of Philanthropy Award- Burnaby Hospital Foundation
- Nominee, British Columbia Multicultural Award
- Recipient, Bridging Leadership Award - Burnaby Hospital Foundation & Chinese Ambassador Society
