Here's the official media release for Meena Wong:
Media Release: June 18, 2008
Meena Wong to seek COPE nomination for Vancouver city council
Community activist and outreach consultant Meena Wong announced today that she will be seeking a COPE nomination for Vancouver city council in this November's civic election.
"Vancouver is facing serious challenges in increasing homelessness, the lack of affordable housing, the need for more transit, and developing a real plan for sustainable development that takes into account the environment while respecting the needs of all residents and neighbourhoods," said Wong.
"Over the past three years we have watched Vancouver slide backwards. Peter Ladner, along with Sam Sullivan and his NPA colleagues cut affordable housing at South East False Creek as the homeless population increased by almost 20 per cent since they took office in 2005.
"The NPA stood by and did little to get more buses on the road while working people, the elderly and students pay higher fares to cram into too few buses.
"Peter Ladner and the NPA are prepared to waste tax dollars on private security, while ordinary homeowners have seen their taxes jump by 15 percent.
"And the NPA have divided communities and neighbourhoods as they bungled and mishandled their eco-density scheme."
"I believe that we can do better for Vancouver ," said Wong.
Wong is a Chinese community outreach and media liaison coordinator with environmental and other non-profit organizations. She is on the board of the Civic Education Society, the Coalition of Progressive Electors (COPE), and the Little Pear Garden Collective.
Wong also works with the Chinese Head Tax Families Society, the Formosa Organic Blueberry Farm campaign to protect farmland from Gateway highway expansion, and the Save Our Rivers Society where she raises awareness within the Chinese speaking community about plans to sell BC’s rivers to private for-profit power developers.
As a founder of the Chinese Action Committee, Wong works to increase social activism within the Chinese Canadian community. Over the past three years, she has hosted a monthly Dim Sum luncheon that brings together members of the immigrant and mainstream Canadian communities.
Wong writes a weekly column for the Chinese language paper Dawa Business Press, is a public affairs commentator on local Mandarin and Cantonese TV and radio talk shows, and will soon be hosting a bi-lingual morning talk show on a local community radio station.
Having lived in Beijing , Hong Kong, Toronto and Vancouver , Wong is fluent in English, Mandarin and Cantonese. She has diverse experience in community outreach, media relations, education, arts, business, and in IT sectors.
"I believe in building a city where everyone matters," said Wong. "I believe that Vancouver should be measured not by the height of its buildings, but by how it takes care of all its residents - especially those who are homeless, or who are new to this city, or whose voices have been ignored by city hall."
For more information: Meena Wong, 604-603-7447 or meenawong@yahoo.ca
Endorsements for Meena Wong for Vancouver City Council:
“I think Meena will be an outstanding City Councillor. She has had wide civic experience in Toronto and Vancouver, has worked with different levels of government, with the Chinese Canadian National Council and is fluent in three languages.
Her goals include :
1Supporting Vancouver's diversity and promoting unity at City Hall.
2 Developing more affordable housing for people who have the right to decent shelter.
3.Developing better public transportation.”
- Margaret Mitchell, Former MP, Vancouver East
“For all the years I have known Meena she has devoted herself to the betterment of Vancouver. She is a strong progressive candidate that brings conviction and new ideas to the table. She is a focused individual and stands up for what she believes in. I have seen her work well in bringing diverse groups together to reach commonality and consensus. I gladly support Meena for Vancouver City Council.”
- Allan Wong, Vancouver School Trustee
“Meena Wong is the rarest of politicians: completely passionate about her community and 100% dedicated to our citizens. Honest, hard-working and informed on the issues, she is the complete package. Her many years of service to our city will make her an outstanding councillor. She has my complete support."
- Don Davies, federal NDP candidate for Vancouver Kingsway
"I congratulate Meena for deciding to run for City Council. Her dynamic personality, her years of experience in community activism and political organization, and her bilingual fluency will make her a very winnable candidate and effective Council member."
- Tommy W.K. Tao, Tao & Company, Barristers & Solicitors
"Meena has a firm grasp of the urgent issues that confront Vancouver and the diverse communities that comprise it. No less importantly, she has the courage, dedication, and skills to be an effective representative.
Meena Wong is just the kind of person we need on City Council."
- Dr. Stephen Phillips, Department of Political Science, Langara College
