[Lahoo.ca andy]On the evening of March 7, former Vice-Chairman of S.U.C.C.E.S.S.and former Chairman of the University of British Columbia (UBC) Alumni Association, local business lawyer Michael Lee held a fundraising dinner in Vancouver. Michael Lee was nominated by the British Columbia Liberal Party on November 30 last year, for the Vancouver-Langara riding, for which the BC provincial election is this May 9 this year. In the 97 days since, his team has been committed to daily door knocking in the the snow, rain and cold temperatures. Tonight, nearly 300 people attended the dinner, Canada Lok live network and a high degree of weekly coverage of this event.
"As a lawyer, volunteer and lifelong Vancouver resident, I have worked to build a strong and diverse community in Vancouver over the past 30 years, and now I am fortunate to have the opportunity to bring a new and experienced perspective to our provincial government in Victoria.” This is his nomination and the reporter’s dialogue.
Michael Lee was born in Vancouver to Hong Kong immigrants. His father arrived in 1953 to study at UBC and after graduating from pharmacy, eventually opened four drug stores. His mother immigrated to Vancouver in 1962 and was a nurse. Michael Lee grew up in Vancouver and has three children with his wife. He was the first Chinese-Canadian elected as AMS student body president at UBC.
Prior to attending the University of Victoria Law School, Michael Lee worked as a Special Assistant to the Right Honourable Kim Campbell in Vancouver and Ottawa. He is a partner at Lawson Lundell LLP and has been practising business law in Vancouver for 20 years. Michael Lee has been recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada in Corporate Governance and Corporate Law.
Michael Lee has also served as the Chair of Arts Umbrella, Vice-Chair of Science World British Columbia and Leadership Vancouver, and as a member of the Boards of the Justice Education Society, the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association and the YMCA of Greater Vancouver Foundation.
Michael Lee thanked the supporters who had been involved in the Vancouver-Langara constituency and supporters of the his campaign. He is particularly grateful to Jeff Devins who was a member of his team for his wisdom and long-term vision to build his campaign.
As a candidate for the BC Liberal Party in the Vancouver-Langara constituency, Michael Lee believes that the government needs to continue to build a more prosperous economy, create more job opportunities for young people, and continue to take care of seniors and the more vulnerable people in our communities. The BC Liberal Party has run a fiscally-responsible government and wants to keep making smart investments for the future of all British Columbians within a free enterprise system.
In his speech, Michael Lee gave a detailed account of BC’s five consecutive balanced budgets under the leadership of Premier Christy Clark, which is the only government in Canada to maintain a AAA credit rating. Michael Lee said that as a business lawyer, he has a very good understanding of the importance of a strong economy to British Columbia, which means a better life for everyone in our province. Michael is determined to support the economic well-being of the province by championing continued diversification of our economy with increased support for innovation and trade with the Asia-Pacific.
Michael Lee also described his early experiences in university as a volunteer with SUCCESS working with Youth-at-Risk and with the Chinese Benevolent Association of Vancouver working on head tax redress, from which he gained an understanding of the importance of community and public service. As a past Vice-Chairman of S.U.C.C.E.S.S., he is a strong advocate for developing strong communities that support all residents, including new immigrants, young people and the elderly.
He also shared his feelings with his supporters of his life in the Langara community where his wife, Christina, also grew up (her mother still lives in the family home 1 block from Langara College). They have raised three children in Vancouver, witnessing, over the years, great change in the community. Vancouver – Langara community has always been a healthy and safe place to live and do business. Michael Lee feels that the successful experience of the Langara community can be a model to be extended to other parts of Vancouver and British Columbia.
Michael Lee believes that the province has tremendous opportunities. Through prudent fiscal management and prosperous economic growth, and through the investments in education and lifelong learning, and we can create new jobs and more opportunities for the next generation. Michael Lee called on everyone to participate in our community to support a better and safer community and so that we will have a continued brighter future for Vancouver and British Columbia.
