Gary Wong is a Burnaby Citizens Association candidate seeking re-election as a Burnaby school trustee.
Gary Wong has been a resident of Burnaby for over 25 years and together with his wife has raised two children who both graduated from Burnaby's public schools. He works as a Business Agent with the United Steelworkers and is 57 years old.
Gary believes it's important for citizens to make positive contributions to their communities, and his volunteer efforts with the Burnaby Public Library and with organizations like the Burnaby Family Life Institute and Vancouver Community Legal Assistance Society have been very rewarding as an opportunity to give back to the community. In 2008, he stepped forward as a Burnaby Citizens Association candidate and was successful in being elected to serve as a Burnaby school trustee.
"Over the years I've volunteered by serving on Boards for several organizations, and I've been active in a number of different causes. With two daughters who attended the Burnaby school district, I want to ensure that other children have equal and enhanced opportunities in pursuit of their education goals," says Gary when asked why he is running for office.
Gary has worked together with the Trustees during his first term as they face the challenges of minimizing underfunding impacts and seek effective solutions to ensure Burnaby schools remain leading edge and more schools are built. His contribution to developing effective policies and guidelines has been influenced by the numerous and significant voices of parents - stakeholders whose main concerns are quality public education and leading-edge learning opportunities for their children.