VICTORIA - Premier Gordon Campbell and Ida Chong, Minister responsible for Seniors' and Women's Issues, observe a moment of silence to honour the memory of all women who have lost their lives to violence. The Premier and Minister Chong were taking part in a ceremony at the legislature in Victoria, December 6, marking a Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

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VICTORIA - Minister Ida Chong (left) is joined by Barb Lintaman from Hill House Transition House, Education Minister Shirley Bond and Minister of State for Child Care, Linda Reid, in front of the Reef To Sky stained glass quilt on display at the Legislature. They were joined by Premier Gordon Campbell in a ceremony, December 6, marking a Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Created by women of the Hill House Transition House Outreach program, the stained glass quilt symbolizes the participants' experiences of grief and healing from abuse and loss.

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VICTORIA – Nov. 28, 2006 - Community Services Minister Ida Chong enjoys a winter moment on the lawn of the Legislature, following Victoria's recent heavy snowfall.

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COLWOOD – Nov. 25, 2006 - Minister of Community Services Ida Chong gets ready to join other BMX enthusiasts to celebrate the province's support of the the 2007 Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) BMX World Championships to be held July 26-29 at the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre. The three-day event will draw more than 2,500 competitors and 500 officials and coaches from over 40 countries. Read the Nov. 25 news release. View another photo same event.

• Visit BMX World Championships website.

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WHITE ROCK – Nov. 24, 2006 - Community Services Minister Ida Chong (left) helps launch Volunteer the Peninsula, a new program offered by the Peace Arch Community Services. Volunteers can find appropriate positions in the community where their skills and talents can be used to augment the services of many social service agencies, healthcare facilities, recreation and sports organizations, environmental groups and special events.  Photo details.

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VICTORIA – Nov. 22, 2006 - Fresh from their league championship victory Sunday over the Montreal Alouettes, members of the B.C. Lions brought the Grey Cup to the provincial legislature. Joining Community Services Minister Ida Chong (top right) are members of the Greater Victoria Football Association.

• Visit ActNow BC website.

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VICTORIA - Oct 23, 2006 - During the opening day of the 2006 Union of BC Municipalities convention, Community Services Minister Ida Chong and Education Minister Shirley Bond joined mayors, councillors, provincial MLAs and Gordon Hogg, Minister of State for ActNow BC, for a fun walk and nutrition break.

• View more UBCM convention photos.
• Read BC Government's UBCM news releases.
• Visit UBCM website.
• Visit ActNow BC website.

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VICTORIA - Oct 17, 2006 - In honour of  Women's History Month, Aboriginal women in B.C. were recognized and celebrated for their contributions to our province by Minister Responsible for Women's Issues Ida Chong (right), representatives of the First Nations Leadership Council and the Métis Nation BC. Photo details.  View another photo from same event.

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KELOWNA - Oct 12, 2006 - Under the program, at least 60 per cent of funding will go to “green” projects helping rural communities and towns address drinking water supply, treatment and distribution needs; improving local wastewater and storm-water sewage treatment; enhancing public transit; and supporting environmental energy improvements. Up to 40 per cent of the remaining funding will support local roads, culture, tourism, recreation and connectivity projects.

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SAINT JOHN, NB - Oct 1, 2006 - British Columbia's Minister Responsible for Women's Issues Ida Chong (fourth from right) joined her federal, provincial and territorial colleagues  when the Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women met in New Brunswick recently.

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VICTORIA - Sept. 25, 2006 - Hill House transition house's outreach program unveiled a stained glass "quilt" created by women in the outreach program. Minister Responsible for Women's Issues Ida Chong spoke at the official unveiling. Photo details.

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VANCOUVER - Sept. 15, 2006 - Minister Responsible for Women's Issues Ida Chong took part in a day-long symposium as part of the ministry's Community Action for Women's Safety Grants program. Projects include building strong community networks, mentoring of young people by aboriginal elders, conducting safety audits and holding violence-prevention workshops for new immigrants. Photo details.

• Read the March 8, 2006 news release and backgrounder.

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VANCOUVER - Aug. 24, 2006 - Minister Responsible for Seniors' Issues Ida Chong visited the Simon KY Lee Seniors Care Home to meet with area seniors. The Minister distributed copies of the Chinese version of the updated BC Seniors' Guide. Read the Aug. 24 English news release or Chinese version [PDF].

• Download a copy of the Chinese version (PDF) of the BC Seniors' Guide.

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ABBOTSFORD - Aug. 23, 2006 - Community Services Minister Ida Chong lit the ceremonial torch to open the 2006 BC Seniors Games. More than 3,000 participants took part in 25 sports and activities over three days of competition. Photo details.

• 2006 BC Seniors Games results.

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SURREY - Aug. 23, 2006 - Minister Responsible for Seniors' Issues Ida Chong visited the Surrey-Delta Indo-Canadian Seniors Centre to meet with area seniors and to distribute copies of the Punjabi version of the updated BC Seniors' Guide. Print and electronic versions of the popular guide are also available in  Chinese, English and French. Read the Aug. 24 news release.

• Download a copy of the Punjabi version (PDF) of the BC Seniors' Guide.

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SAANICH - Aug. 17, 2006 - Community Services Minister Ida Chong had an opportunity to meet celebrated artist and carver Richard Hunt, who designed the medals awarded during the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships held Aug. 17-21 at Saanich Commonwealth Place.

The facility — built for the 1994 Commonwealth Games — was upgraded to prepare for the meet, including a new scoreboard funded by the municipality of Saanich and the B.C. government's Olympic/Paralympic Live Site program.

• Visit the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships website.
• Visit Richard Hunt's website.

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QUALICUM BEACH - Aug. 11, 2006 - Community Services Minister Ida Chong met with the mayor and other members of the Town of Qualicum Beach council. The Minister has met with local government councils in several towns and cities this summer.

• Visit the ministry's Local Government Dept. website.

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QUALICUM BEACH - Aug. 11, 2006 - As part of the 2010 Olympic / Paralympic Live Sites program, the Qualicum Lawn Bowling Club will receive $142,500 to construct central Vancouver Island's first indoor bowling green.  Photo details. Read the Aug. 11 news release and backgrounder.

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KAMLOOPS - July 27, 2006 - Community Services Minister Ida Chong and Kamloops-area MLAs Kevin Krueger and Claude Richmond held an information session with members of Kamloops city council. Minister Chong met with several municipal councils during her summer travels throughout B.C.

• Visit the ministry's Local Government Dept. website.

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KAMLOOPS - July 27, 2006 - Community Services Minister Ida Chong congratulates one of the medal winners at the B.C. Summer Games. More than 3001 participants including 2239 athletes, 478 coaches, and 284 officials took part in the July 27-30 sporting event.

• Read the Kamloops Games July 30 news release.
• Check the B.C. Summer Games results.
   

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KAMLOOPS - July 26, 2006 - It is estimated that the three-day B.C. Summer Games had a $2.8 million economic impact on the City of Kamloops. More than 3,200 volunteers put in thousands of hours to help stage the provincial event. Photo details.

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VICTORIA - July 26, 2006 - The City of Victoria will receive a $330,000 award from the B.C. government’s Olympic/Paralympic Live Sites program to help with upgrades to Royal Athletic Park and an exhibit to honour Victoria Olympic and Paralympic athletes at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, Community Services Minister Ida Chong (pictured) announced today. Royal Athletic Park will host the FIFA World Youth (Men’s) Championships in July, 2007. Read the July 26 news release.

• Visit the Olympic/Paralympic Live Sites website.

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VANCOUVER - July 13, 2006 - A healthy start for newborns and their parents is the goal of the expanded Single Room Maternity Care Unit at BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre, opened today by Health Minister George Abbott and Ida Chong, Minister of Community Services and Minister Responsible for Seniors’ and Women’s Issues. Minister Chong had a chance to visit with  Teresa and Mitch Ward and baby Brenna Ward of Richmond during the announcement. Read the July 13 news release.

• BC Women's Hospital and Health Centre.

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WHITE ROCK - July 5, 2006 - Community Services Minister Ida Chong, responsible for seniors' issues, presented (left to right) Allen Barnett, Renee Nicholson, Bob Gray with Drive to Save Lives community award certificates of appreciation for their volunteer service with the BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation's mature driver's program. Photo details.

• BCAA's Mature Drivers Program website | factsheet.

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SURREY - July 5, 2006 - South Fraser Women's Services Society Executive Director Denise Darrell shows Ida Chong (right), Minister Responsible for Women's Issues, some of the facilities.  The society – known as Women's Place – is a  women-focused organization committed to providing information, resources, support and counseling for women to empower themselves.

• Visit the ministry's Stopping the Violence website.

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VANCOUVER - June 21, 2006 - The UNESCO-designated official arts and culture festival of the World Urban Forum brought artists here from around the globe June 21-25 to share their stories and experiences, and help build awareness of the role of art in creating livable, sustainable and vibrant cities. The Ministry of Community Services was one of the event's sponsors. Photo details.

• World Forum sites: ministry | provincial | federal.

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VANCOUVER - June 19, 2006 - Union of British Columbia Municipalities President Marvin Hunt (left), B.C. Minister of Community Services Ida Chong, federal Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Lawrence Cannon and B.C. Minister of Economic Development Colin Hansen at the signing ceremony for the Canada-BC Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund agreement. More details. Read the information bulletin.

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VANCOUVER - June 17, 2006 - Kenyan delegate Ben Omondo met with B.C.'s Community Services Minister Ida Chong during the June 16-18 World Youth Forum -- one of the World Urban Forum events. The youth event offered participants involved in exciting youth-led projects around the world to meet, share best practices, connect and collaborate with each other. Photo details.

• World Youth Forum site.
• World Forum sites: ministry | provincial | federal.

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VANCOUVER - June 6, 2006 - Premier Gordon Campbell and Minister Responsible for Seniors' Issues Ida Chong (far right) met with members of the 411 Seniors Centre Society. News release.

• Read the Seniors' Week on-line materials.
• Use the newly revised BC Seniors' Guide HTML and PDF.

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VICTORIA - June 5, 2006 - Minister Responsible for Seniors' Issues Ida Chong helped kick off Seniors' Week in British Columbia with a visit to Highgate Lodge.

• Read the Seniors' Week on-line materials.
• Government Support for Seniors fact sheet.
• Use the newly revised BC Seniors' Guide HTML and PDF.

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GRAND FORKS - April 29, 2006 - Community Services Minister Ida Chong addresses delegates attending the Association of Kootenay Boundary Local Government annual meeting held in Grand Forks.

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VICTORIA - April 24, 2006 - Minister Responsible for Women's Issues Ida Chong, Premier Gordon Campbell and caucus colleagues are pictured wearing "Hidden Heroes" t-shirts. The shirts honour women and their children who have survived domestic violence, and help mark Prevention of Violence Against Women Week (April 23-29, 2006).

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LANGFORD - April 20, 2006 - Community Services Minister Ida Chong and Langford Mayor Stu Young look at a draft land use plan for a proposed environmentally-sustainable neighborhood in Langford.

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RICHMOND - April 12, 2006 - Minister Responsible for Seniors' Issues Ida Chong is pictured with Minister of Tourism, Sports and the Arts Olga Illich and Minoru Place Activity Centre Wellness Coordinator Arlene DeCaire at the annual Seniors' Wellness Fair in Richmond.

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VICTORIA - March 10, 2006 - Community Services Minister and Minister Responsible for Seniors' and Women's Issues Ida Chong announces funding for a new mentoring program, "Empowered to Work". The project offers career support to women re-entering the workforce as well as those entering for the first time.

Read the News Release.  Read the Minister's remarks.

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VICTORIA - March 8, 2006 - Minister Responsible for Women's Issues Ida Chong visits with Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean. The Governor General attended a Victoria luncheon to mark International Women's Day.

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SAANICH - March 3, 2006 - Minister Responsible for Seniors Issues Ida Chong attends a Seniors' Celebration Festival, to mark Embrace Aging Month. The festival was hosted by the Greater Victoria Eldercare Foundation.

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SOOKE - March 3, 2006 - Community Services Minister Ida Chong and Sooke Mayor Janet Evans attend the opening of the area's new wastewater treatment plant. The provincial and federal governments combined to invest $11 million in the project.

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CASTLEGAR - Feb. 9, 2006 - The Province is providing funding to support the merger of the Kootenay School of the Arts with Selkirk College, ensuring students continue to have access to the school's art, craft and design programs. Read Feb. 9 news release. Photo details.

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VICTORIA - January 31, 2006 - Minister Responsible for Seniors' Issues Ida Chong spoke to about 100 members of the local seniors organization.

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VICTORIA - January 30, 2006 - Minister Ida Chong takes part in the official groundbreaking for the redevelopment of the Baptist Housing Society’s Marrion Gardens and Shannon Oaks developments.

Click here for full-size photo  Read the Minister's remarks.

NANAIMO - January 26, 2006 - Community Services Minster Ida Chong chats with officials at a forum for municipal officials newly elected in November 2005.

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VICTORIA - January 10, 2006 - Minister Ida Chong is pictured with Rick Hansen. To date the Rick Hansen Man In Motion Foundation has made a $158 million impact on the field of spinal cord injury.

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VANCOUVER - January 9, 2006 - Community Services Minister and Minister Responsible for Seniors' and Women's Issues Ida Chong announces $1 million in new funding to help make communities safer for women. Community Action for Women's Safety funding encourages grassroots community and provincial organizations to develop programs that address domestic violence.

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QUEEN CHARLOTTE - On December 7, 2005 the Village of Queen Charlotte officially became the province's 157th, and newest, municipality.

Community Services Minister Ida Chong presents official documents to the Village's new mayor Carol Kulesha.

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QUEEN CHARLOTTE - The Village of Queen Charlotte became the province's 157th municipality on Dec 7, 2005 with the swearing in of the new council.

Celebrating the occasion is the new mayor, Carol Kulesha, and Community Services Minister Ida Chong.

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On December 6th a lighted candle honours women who have lost their lives to violence.

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VICTORIA - Community Services Minister and Minister Responsible for Women's Issues Ida Chong was on hand for the November 29, 2005 groundbreaking for Harrison House, a 23 unit transition house in Victoria for older women 45-65 fleeing domestic violence.

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Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General John Les and Community Services Minister Ida Chong sign the agreement on behalf of the province.

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Pictured from left to right are Victoria Mayor Alan Lowe, Victoria MP David Anderson, Community Services Minister Ida Chong and Victoria City Councillor Dean Fortin

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VANCOUVER - On November 4, 2005 Community Services Minister Ida Chong attended the fifth anniversary celebration for Global Chinese Press.

The minister is pictured at the Vancouver event with Jane Zhang, President , Global Chinese Press.

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VANCOUVER - On October 28, 2005 Ida Chong, Minister Responsible for Seniors Issues, was among over 130 participants taking part in the Seniors' Congress on Aging and Seniors' Issues in Vancouver.

Read the New Release.

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On October 21, 2005 Community Services Minister Ida Chong took part in a Hong Kong-Guangdong Business Forum with a number of senior officials from China.

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VICTORIA - Minister Chong participated in the grand opening of the Women's Enterprise Centre, Victoria location.

Pictured with the minister at the October 20, 2005 event are Laurel Douglas, CEO of Women's Enterprise Centre, and Dawn McCooey, Business Advisor with Women's Enterprise Centre, Victoria office.

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WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH 2005

VICTORIA – In honour of 2005 being declared the Year of the Veteran, this year's theme for Women's History Month is Women and War: Contributions and Consequences.

Minister Responsible for Women's Issues Ida Chong is pictured with dignitaries and members of Canada's forces at an October 18, 2005 ceremony at the legislature.

Read the news release.

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VANCOUVER - On October 12, 2005 Minister Chong was on hand for the opening of the Avalon Hotel in Vancouver.

Pictured with the minister are Avalon Hotel managers Tina and Ron Konkin, Minister of Western Economic Diversification Stephen Owen, and Vancouver Councillor Ellen Woodsworth

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VICTORIA - Veterans and key supporters gathered in front of the Veterans Memorial Wall at Victoria's Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena, following the unveiling of the Sponsors Plaque on October 11, 2005.

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VICTORIA - On October 11, 2005, Minister Chong participated in unveiling a Sponsors Plaque, acknowledging contributors to the Veterans Memorial Wall of the Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena.

Minister Chong is flanked by (left to right) Russell Moore, fund-raising chair; Victoria Mayor Alan Lowe; and Allan Fleury, co-chair of the Veterans Memorial Committee.

Read the Minister's remarks.                           

 

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VICTORIA - On October 4, 2005 Minister Ida Chong took part in the grand opening of Rose Manor supportive seniors' housing complex in Victoria. 
Read October 4, 2005 news release

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VICTORIA - On October 4, 2005 Minister Ida Chong took part in the grand opening of Rose Manor supportive seniors' housing complex in Victoria. 

Read October 4, 2005 news release

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View more photos from the Union of BC Municipalities 100th Annual Convention.   Read the Minister's keynote address.

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VICTORIA - Minister Chong attended Business Victoria's September 14, 2005 launch of Partnership with Canadian Youth Business Foundation.

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Minister Ida Chong is seated with participants at an August 25, 2005 roundtable on education for leaders in the multicultural education community.

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VICTORIA – The Province will invest $1 million to replace the glass roof on the 80-year-old Crystal Garden to help ensure the heritage building remains structurally sound and financially viable for the next 80 years.  Read the Aug. 9 news release. Community Services Minister Ida Chong (left) and Tourism, Sport and the Arts Minister Olga Ilich signed the first of 4,000 panes of glass that will be needed in the project.

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Minister Ida Chong is pictured with president Aaron Dinwoodie and members of the Union of BC Municipalities executive at their July 2005 meeting.

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VICTORIA - Premier Gordon Campbell began his second term as British Columbia's Premier June 16, 2005 by appointing a 23-member Cabinet.

• Read June 16, 2005 news release and backgrounders.
• Read Minister Chong's biography.
• Download PDF version of biography.