Meet Olivia

Olivia Chow’s quest for a better society has been a lifelong journey that has taken her from her humble beginnings as a Hong Kong-born immigrant in Toronto to being of the most visible social advocates and politicians in Canada. In her current role as the NDP Transport and Infrastructure Critic, Olivia is fighting for the mobility and safety of all Canadians across transportation modes. Deeply rooted in her downtown riding of Trinity-Spadina in Toronto, she knows how accessible, affordable transit and safe roads make our local communities liveable and vibrant.

Parliamentary Work

After being re-elected in 2011, Olivia is focusing her efforts in the House of Commons on getting Canadians the 21st century public transit they deserve, making our roads and airways safer, and keeping rail service accessible for passengers and freight customers alike.

As a dedicated transit advocate, Olivia is calling on the federal government to take a leadership role through the introduction of a National Public Transit Strategy through her Bill C-305. Coordination and dedicated funding for transit on a federal level is something countless experts and cities across the country are calling for – and that Canada is alone lacking among its G8 peers.

Since her election in 2006, Olivia has pushed for a variety of high-profile initiatives, including a universal, non-profit national child care program and immigration reform.

Earlier Political Work

Prior to being elected as Trinity-Spadina’s Member of Parliament, Olivia represented her downtown community on the Toronto City Council. As the vice-chair of the Toronto Transit Commission, she constantly strived for improved access to transit.

Olivia became a City Councillor in 1991 as the first Asian woman elected at the municipal level in Toronto. After the city’s amalgamation in 1997, she was re-elected three times.

Her work on City Council was preceded by her advocacy for improved education as a School Trustee, a position to which she was elected in 1985.

Olivia gained a taste for political life in 1981 while working as a constituency assistant for New Democrat MP Dan Heap. She assisted Dan Heap to launch the campaign to seek an apology and compensation from the federal government on the shameful anti-immigrant “Chinese Head Tax and Exclusion Act.” The federal government finally apologized in 2006, the year Olivia became a MP.

Private Life

Early in her political career, Olivia forged one of Canada’s most remarkable political partnerships when she met Jack Layton. Together they shared a passion for life and commitment to change. Married in 1988, Olivia and Jack both worked incessantly to make Canada a better place: first as city councillors in Toronto and then in Parliament.

Olivia continues to live in Trinity-Spadina’s Chinatown together with her mother Ho Sze in a house that they transformed with a “green” renovation. Her step-children Sarah and Mike Layton and grandchildren live nearby. Outside of the political arena, Olivia continues to be a passionate gardener, artist, reader, outdoor enthusiast, a swimmer and cyclist.

Awards and Honours (Selection)

  • NOW Magzine: voted best Member of Parliament in 2010
  • NOW Magazine: voted best city councillor seven times
  • Eye Magazine: voted best local politician four time
  • Consumers Choice Award for the Woman of the Year
  • Honourary degree from the Ontario College of Art and Design

Parliamentary Memberships

  • Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
  • Canada-Portugal Parliamentary Friendship Group
  • Save Darfur Parliamentary Coalition
  • Canada-Hong Kong Parliamentary Friendship Group
  • Canada-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group
  • Canada-China Legislative Association
  • All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Prevention of Genocide
  • Human Resources Development
  • Status of Persons with Disabilities Committee
  • Status of Women Committee

Academic Career

  • Study of fine arts at the Ontario College of Art and Philosophy and Religion at the University of Toronto
  • Honours BA in fine arts from the University of Guelph in 1979
  • Teaching at George Brown College’s Assaulted Women and Children Counselling and Advocacy Program for five years