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Meet Gary Wong, Burnaby Citizens Association

Name: Gary Wong Website: www.burnabycitizens.ca QUESTIONS (in 50 words or less unless specified) Tell us about yourself. (100 words) Normal 0 false false false EN-CA X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.
Gary Wong
Gary Wong

Name: Gary Wong

Website: www.burnabycitizens.ca

QUESTIONS (in 50 words or less unless specified)

Tell us about yourself. (100 words)

A resident of Burnaby for over 35 years. Together with my wife, we raised two children who attended Burnaby’s public schools.

Current Chair of the Burnaby School Board and a Trustee since 2008.  Numerous positions held in the community, including:  Vice Chair, Burnaby Public Library Board and Chair of the Finance Committee.  Governor, Langara College and Chair of the Personnel Committee. Director, Vancouver Community Legal Assistance Society.  Trustee, Pacific Blue Cross Health and Welfare Plan.  Director, Burnaby Family Life Institute, Chair-Personnel Committee.  Task Force Co-coordinator, Canada Employment and Immigration Commission.  Director, Forest Renewal BC.  Director, West Coast Plywood Co. Ltd.

What are the top 3 issues facing the Burnaby school board?

1. The completion of seismic upgrades for all identified schools. Two completed and 5 in progress during the last 4-year term.

2. Monitoring of curriculum and practices to ensure all students reach their maximum individual potential in a safe and caring environment.

3. Budgeting for and upgrading our Information Technology Systems and hardware.

What has the current school board done right?

Provided conditions allowing students and staff to excel. Received awards/scholarships ranging from academic courses to career programs, music and sports.

What have they done wrong?

Fell temporarily behind in providing a competitive Secretary Treasurer salary and consequently unable to retain him.  Failed to convince the Liberal Government to provide relief to their unexpected wage freeze.

What is your favourite thing about Burnaby public schools:

Enjoying a positive collaborative relationship with all our various stakeholder groups and approaching issues in a manner we refer to as the “Burnaby Way.”  Recognition that we all strive for the common goal of student success and that pathway requires the consultation and input of all our valued partners.

What 3 people would you invite to a dinner party?

Tommy Douglas, for his belief that every Canadian deserved the right to have quality health care regardless of their economic or social standing.  A view I share in education.

Stephen Hawking, so many theories, so many questions.

Barack Obama, for his wit, eloquence and inspiration.

Editor's note: Candidates were given specific word count guidelines and were cut off if they went over the count.