Olivia Chow is the 66th Mayor of Toronto and the first woman of Asian descent elected to the office. Her story reflects that of so many Torontonians who immigrate here to build a new life and make an impact on our city.
Born in Hong Kong, Mayor Olivia Chow immigrated to Toronto with her parents at the age of 13. She lived in St. James Town and went to high school at Jarvis Collegiate. Her mother worked as a hotel housekeeper while her father found it challenging to maintain employment due to mental health issues. After high school, she attended OCAD University and pursued a varied career as a professional sculptor, college instructor, ESL teacher and a counsellor for new immigrants.
Olivia was first elected as a TDSB trustee in 1985, where she served for six years. In 1991, Olivia became the first Asian-born woman elected as a Metro Toronto Councillor, where she created lasting programs to support working families. These include programs like free dental care for children in poverty and the City’s school breakfast and lunch program that still feeds over 200,000 kids each year. She served on council for 14 years, taking on roles as Chair of the Community Services Committee, Vice Chair of the TTC, as well as serving on the Budget Committee for a decade.
In 2006, Olivia was elected as the Member of Parliament for Trinity—Spadina. Her Early Learning and Child Care bill laid the legislative foundation for a universal, high quality, affordable and non-profit national childcare program. Her work on a National Public Transit Strategy was widely celebrated by mayors and municipalities from coast to coast.
In 2015, Mayor Olivia Chow joined Toronto Metropolitan University as a Distinguished Visiting Professor where her work focuses on community engagement and leadership development. As a founder of the Institute for Change Leaders, Olivia and her team have taught thousands the valuable skills of community and political organising to make progressive change.
Throughout her career, Olivia has been driven by the belief that we are always stronger together.
