Wikipedia

Naomi Yamamoto

For the Japanese footballer, see Naomi Yamamoto (footballer).

Naomi Yamamoto (born 1960 or 1961) is a Canadian politician who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) of British Columbia, representing the electoral district of North Vancouver-Lonsdale from 2009 to 2017. As part of the British Columbia Liberal Party caucus, she was a cabinet minister under premiers Gordon Campbell and Christy Clark. She is the first Japanese Canadian member of the BC legislature.[2]

Naomi Yamamoto
Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly
for North Vancouver-Lonsdale
In office
May 12, 2009 – May 9, 2017
Preceded byKatherine Whittred
Succeeded byBowinn Ma
Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations of British Columbia
In office
June 10, 2009 – October 25, 2010
PremierGordon Campbell
Preceded byJoan McIntyre
Succeeded byMargaret MacDiarmid (Minister Responsible for the Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat)
Minister of State for Building Code Renewal of British Columbia
In office
October 25, 2010 – March 14, 2011
PremierGordon Campbell
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byPosition abolished
Minister of Advanced Education of British Columbia
In office
March 14, 2011 – September 5, 2012
PremierChristy Clark
Preceded byIda Chong (Science and Universities)
Succeeded byJohn Yap (Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology)
Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business of British Columbia
Minister of State for Small Business (2012-2013)
In office
September 5, 2012 – June 30, 2015
PremierChristy Clark
Preceded byColin Hansen[a]
Succeeded byCoralee Oakes (Small Business and Red Tape Reduction)
Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness of British Columbia
In office
July 30, 2015 – June 12, 2017
PremierChristy Clark
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byPosition abolished
Personal details
Born1960 or 1961 (age 63–64)[1]
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Political partyBritish Columbia Liberal Party
SpouseFred Pinnock
ResidenceNorth Vancouver
Alma materUniversity of British Columbia
OccupationBusiness owner

Prior to her election to the legislature, Yamamoto owned and operated a business that started as a specialty shop for laser printing but evolved to focus on design and had created props for the television and film industry. She spent time on the governing boards of Capilano College, the North Shore Credit Union, the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, and the Gordon and Marion Smith Foundation. She completed one term as president of the B.C. Chamber of Commerce and worked as the president and general manager of the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce from 2007 until she was elected as MLA.

Background

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Yamamoto is a third-generation Japanese-Canadian. Both her parents were born in Vancouver, but were interned in the Kootenays for part of World War II. Yamamoto was also born in Vancouver and grew up with one brother and one sister; the whole family moved to North Vancouver in 1970. Her father had instilled in her an appreciation of outdoor activities, such as fishing, trail running, and cycling, which turned into lifelong hobbies.[2]

She majored in film and television studies at the University of British Columbia, graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in 1982.[2][3][4] She went on to work at her family's Japan Camera outlet for seven years.[4] In 1988, along with a business partner, she opened her own company, Lasercolor Design & Printing, which specialized in laser printing. With a growing clientele in the film and television industry who needed props, the business was renamed Lasercolor Business Graphics and Props.[4] As laser printing became more common, the company was renamed again to Tora Design, focusing more on the design aspect.

She started volunteering at the North Shore Neighbourhood House, which assisted seniors and at-risk children. She was active with the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce[5] and served one term (1997–98) as president of the B.C. Chamber of Commerce.[6] She spent six years, beginning in 1995, on the Capilano College board of governors;[7] eleven years, beginning in 1998, on the North Shore Credit Union board of directors; and eight years, beginning in 2001, on the Vancouver Coastal Health board of directors.[8]

In 1998 she helped organize a BC-specific economic summit[9] and participate in a provincial government task force examining how to improve the province's economy.[10][11] She was recognized by the Vancouver Board of Trade in 2000 with the Women in the Spotlight Award,[4] and by the newspaper Business in Vancouver in 2003 with their Influential Women in Business Award. She also served on the board of directors for the Gordon and Marion Smith Foundation for Young Artists, beginning in 2004.[12]

In February 2007 she started work as the president and general manager of the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, a position she kept until she was elected MLA.[13] In that role she supported the introduction of the carbon tax[14] and opposed a proposal for introducing a statutory holiday in February.[15]

She is married to Fred Pinnock, a former Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer.[16]

Provincial politics

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Nomination and Campbell ministry

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Yamamoto expressed interest in pursuing a career in provincial politics in June 2008, when there was speculation that long-time North Vancouver-Seymour MLA Daniel Jarvis was going to retire.[17] While Jarvis kept his options open, North Vancouver-Lonsdale MLA Katherine Whittred did retire. In the subsequent BC Liberal Party nomination meeting for the riding, Yamamoto was challenged by former Member of Parliament Don Bell and former Vancouver city councillor Jennifer Clarke.[18][19] Yamamoto was considered the underdog but defeated Bell in the second round of the preferential ballot.[20]

In the May 2009 general election, Yamamoto faced former District of North Vancouver mayor Janice Harris for the BC New Democratic Party (NDP), acupuncturist Michelle Corcos for the Green Party,[21] former leader of the BC Reform Party Ron Gamble, and BC Conservative Party candidate Ian McLeod.[22] While the riding was previously considered safe for the BC Liberals, Harris was also considered a star candidate for the NDP.[23] Both candidates had awkward moments, with Yamamoto refusing to participate in an all-candidates forum sponsored by the local teacher's association.[24] The North Shore Credit Union, of which Harris was a member and Yamamoto a board member, had donated $7,500 to the BC Liberal Party.[25] Nonetheless, Yamamoto won the election, making her the first person with Japanese ancestry to be elected MLA in BC.[2][26][27]

In the 39th Parliament, Yamamoto's BC Liberal Party formed a majority government, and she was named to Premier Gordon Campbell's cabinet as Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations.[28][29] In this position she worked with American and Canadian federal officials in resolving US-Canada border issues prior to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver,[30][31] as well as hosting officials from other governments during the games. She helped coordinate the provincial government response to the US state of Montana and the United Nations concerning resource extraction in Flathead River Valley that was impacting the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park; the province implemented a short term ban on mining and oil/gas extraction, followed a permanent ban in a designated area with the Flathead Watershed Area Conservation Act in 2011.[32][33]

She was a strong advocate of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST),[34][35] as she had been lobbying in favour of its introduction in BC for years prior to running for political office.[36] However, it proved to be an unpopular initiative with 6,786 people in her North Vancouver-Lonsdale riding signing the FightHST group's petition asking for it to be repealed; the FightHST group also considered conducting a recall campaign against Yamamoto.[37] Just prior to his resignation, Premier Campbell shuffled his cabinet in October 2010, moving Yamamoto to the new role of Minister of State for Building Code Renewal.[28][29] In this position she was to oversee the modernization of the provincial building code with considerations given to new techniques and technologies, as well as reconciling provisions for single- and multi-family dwellings.[38]

Clark ministry

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In the 2011 BC Liberal leadership election triggered by Campbell's resignation, Yamamoto endorsed George Abbott. She had found all the leadership contenders held similar views on economic issues, health care and education, but that Abbott was the more personable contender.[39] After Christy Clark won the party leadership and became premier, she promoted Yamamoto to Minister of Advanced Education in March 2011.[28][40][41] She toured various post-secondary institutions across the province[42][43][44][45] and announced $1.5 million for healthcare training programs,[46] $500,000 for a First Nations teaching program,[47] and $300,000 to train First Nations aquaculture workers.[48] She rebuffed calls for greater student affordability and provincial funding for the universities, defending the existing student loan program[44][49] and the existing provincial funding formula,[50] citing the "challenging fiscal environment".[51][52][53] She advocated for a greater role for international students,[54] which Premier Clark's BC Jobs Plan called for increasing by 50% within four years the number of international students in BC.[55] The BC Jobs Plan also called for the creation of a new international education council, which seemed to duplicate the existing BC Council for International Education[56] and led to criticism that the government was either re-announcing old measures or unaware of the existing council.[57] Yamamoto supported the creation of the new council, as an independent steering committee with a broader scope.[58]

As Minister of Advanced Education, Yamamoto introduced the Advanced Education Statutes Amendment Act, 2011 (Bill 18), which sought to implement several measures, including harmonizing the federal and provincial student load procedure, expanding the Personal Education Number system which tracks students in the BC educational system to also include private educational institutions, specifying that board members of colleges and universities are to act in the best interests of the institution, and updating the Architectural Institute of BC's dispute resolution process.[59] The bill was introduced on November 3, 2011, but was not adopted before the winter break.

In May 2012, with her father in attendance, Yamamoto introduced the province of British Columbia's formal apology for its role in the internment of Japanese Canadians during World War II.[27]

Yamamoto was re-assigned as Minister of State for Small Business in September 2012;[28] she remained in cabinet after winning re-election in 2013,[60] with her position re-titled to Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business.[40][61] In July 2015 she was named to the newly established position of Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness.[40][62][63]

She ran for re-election in 2017,[64] but was defeated by NDP candidate Bowinn Ma.[65][66] After finishing her term as MLA, Yamamoto became president of the BC Earthquake Alliance.[67]

Electoral history

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2017

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2017 British Columbia general election: North Vancouver-Lonsdale
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Bowinn Ma 12,361 45.45 4.87 $64,191
Liberal Naomi Yamamoto 10,373 38.14 −7.33 $69,946
Green Richard Warrington 4,148 15.25 5.97 $466
Libertarian Donald N.S. Wilson 316 1.16 0.52 $150
Total valid votes 27,198 100.00 –
Total rejected ballots 143 0.52 −0.07
Turnout 27,341 65.68 5.30
Registered voters 41,629
Source: Elections BC[68][69]

2013

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2013 British Columbia general election: North Vancouver-Lonsdale
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Naomi Yamamoto 11,060 45.47 –3.69 $92,377
New Democratic Craig Keating 9,872 40.58 3.48 $112,207
Green Ryan Conroy 2,257 9.28 0.75 $4,121
Conservative Allan John Molyneaux 833 3.42 –0.69 $3,099
Libertarian Laurence Watt 156 0.64 – $250
British Columbia Party Carra-Lynn Hodgson 77 0.32 – $250
Communist Kimball Cariou 71 0.29 – $344
Total valid votes 24,326 100.00
Total rejected ballots 145 0.59
Turnout 24,471 60.38
Source: Elections BC[70]

2009

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B.C. General Election 2009: North Vancouver-Lonsdale
Party Candidate Votes % ± Expenditures
Liberal Naomi Yamamoto 10,323 49 $108,381
New Democratic Janice Harris 7,789 37 $86,306
Green Michelle Corcos 1,791 9 – $1,555
Conservative Ian McLeod 862 4 $250
Reform Ron Gamble 232 1 $1,491
Total Valid Votes 20,997 100
Total Rejected Ballots 163 0.8
Turnout 21,160 56

Notes

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  1. ^ After Hansen's appointment as Minister Responsible for Small Business ended on March 14, 2011, the small business portfolio was vacant its re-establishment as Minister of State for Small Business on September 5, 2012.

References

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  1. ^ Provincial Election 2009; North Vancouver / Lonsdale Anonymous. North Shore News [North Vancouver, B.C] 01 May 2009: 3.
  2. ^ a b c d Greenaway, John (September 3, 2011). "Community Profile: Naomi Yamamoto, MLA". The Bulletin: A Journal of Japanese Canadian Community, History & Culture. Archived from the original on April 22, 2012. Retrieved December 8, 2011.
  3. ^ "UBC in your community: North Shore" (PDF). University of British Columbia. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d Aarsteinsen, Barbara (March 9, 2000). "Spotlight pointed on 'well-rounded' involvement". The Vancouver Sun. p. D1.
  5. ^ "On the Move". The Vancouver Sun. July 4, 1994. p. D10.
  6. ^ "Moves". The Vancouver Sun. June 9, 1997. p. D2.
  7. ^ "Regional Roundup: North Vancouver". The Vancouver Sun. October 31, 1997. p. B4.
  8. ^ Wild, Matthew (April 14, 2002). "Health board chosen". North Shore News. North Vancouver. p. 27.
  9. ^ Hunter, Justine (October 30, 1998). "Summit spotlight turns to Pattison". The Vancouver Sun. p. F1.
  10. ^ "Ideological differences limit the red-tape commission". Times Colonist. Victoria, British Columbia. September 8, 1998. p. B6.
  11. ^ Ross, Howard; Peter Kennedy (November 9, 1998). "B.C. businesses demand lower taxes, less red tape". The Globe and Mail. p. A3.
  12. ^ McGrath, Paul (July 14, 2004). "Gordon and Marion Smith Foundation Lunch". North Shore News. North Vancouver, British Columbia. p. 16.
  13. ^ Seyd, Jane (January 24, 2007). "NV chamber head named: New president brings wealth of experience". North Shore News. p. 5.
  14. ^ Weldon, James (February 22, 2008). "MLA McIntyre high on carbon tax". North Shore News. p. 1.
  15. ^ Geake, Elisabeth (February 28, 2007). "Labour argues for Feb. stat: Chamber president sees just another cost". North Shore News. p. 11.
  16. ^ Bains, Camille (November 6, 2020). "Inquiry hears Rich Coleman focused on money, not organized crime at B.C. casinos". CTV News. The Canadian Press. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  17. ^ Cooper, Sam (June 12, 2008). "MLA Jarvis to seek re-election". The North Shore Outlook. p. 9.
  18. ^ Cooper, Sam (November 21, 2008). "Naomi Yamamoto running for BC Lib nomination in North Van; Don Bell still mum on future". The North Shore Outlook. North Vancouver, British Columbia. p. 1.
  19. ^ Lautens, Trevor (February 20, 2009). "Lonsdale Liberal nomination race intrigues". North Shore News. North Vancouver, British Columbia. p. 6.
  20. ^ Cooper, Sam (March 2, 2009). "Yamamoto topples Bell and Clarke in NV-Lonsdale". The North Shore Outlook. North Vancouver, British Columbia. p. 1.
  21. ^ Barrett, Jessica (April 8, 2009). "Green candidate has big-picture approach; Michelle Corcos to run in North Vancouver-Lonsdale". North Shore News. North Vancouver, British Columbia. p. 12.
  22. ^ "Meet the candidates". The North Shore Outlook. North Vancouver, British Columbia. April 30, 2009. p. 1.
  23. ^ Bermingham, John (April 14, 2009). "Hot ridings to watch; Here are 10 election contests where seats could change hands, the races are tight, the issues tense and the candidates touchy". The Province. Vancouver. p. A6.
  24. ^ Pi, Daniel (May 4, 2009). "Yamamoto backs out of North Van all-candidates meeting". The North Shore Outlook. North Vancouver, British Columbia. p. 1.
  25. ^ Seyd, Jane (April 24, 2009). "Harris rips credit union for donation; N. Shore Credit Union gives Liberals $7,500 while Yamamoto on its board". North Shore News. North Vancouver, British Columbia. p. 1.
  26. ^ Cooper, Sam (May 12, 2009). "Yamamoto becomes B.C.'s first-ever Japanese-Canadian MLA". The North Shore Outlook. North Vancouver. p. 1.
  27. ^ a b "B.C. apologizes for 1940s Japanese-Canadian internments". CBC News. The Canadian Press. May 7, 2012. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  28. ^ a b c d "MLA: Hon. Naomi Yamamoto". Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Archived from the original on April 3, 2018.
  29. ^ a b "Campbell Cabinet: 37th Parliament 2001-2005, 38th Parliament 2005-2009, 39th Parliament 2009-2011" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  30. ^ Levitz, Stephanie (July 3, 2009). "Amtrak to add second run from Seattle to Vancouver for 2010 Games". The Canadian Press.
  31. ^ Johnson, Gene (July 28, 2009). "Homeland Security chief tours Olympic centre in Washington". Kamloops Daily News. p. 4.
  32. ^ Cuthbertson, Richard (September 17, 2009). "UN review could settle mining dispute; Company exploring for gold near park". Calgary Herald. p. B1.
  33. ^ Cuthbertson, Richard (February 10, 2010). "B.C. protects Flathead; Environmentalists win ban on oil, gas, mining projects". Calgary Herald. p. B7.
  34. ^ Seyd, Jane (September 2, 2009). "Provincial deficit to jump to $2.8 billion; MLAs defend government priorities". North Shore News. North Vancouver, British Columbia. p. 1.
  35. ^ Yamamoto, Naomi (June 9, 2010). "HST 'transformation' will strengthen B.C. Economy". North Shore News. North Vancouver, British Columbia. p. 6.
  36. ^ Walkinshaw, Bruce (August 31, 2011). "HST... and the Shore". The North Shore Outlook. North Vancouver, British Columbia. p. 1.
  37. ^ Alldritt, Benjamin (August 13, 2010). "MLAs targeted for recall vote; Anti-HST campaigners plan to force North Van reps from office". North Shore News. North Vancouver, British Columbia. p. 1.
  38. ^ Weldon, James (October 27, 2010). "Campbell gives Yamamoto new portfolio; Need to update construction practices, says MLA". North Shore News. North Vancouver. p. 3.
  39. ^ Hoekstra, Greg (February 1, 2011). "North Van MLA casts support for George Abbott". The North Shore Outlook. North Vancouver, British Columbia. p. 1.
  40. ^ a b c "Christy Clark Cabinet: 2011-2017" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  41. ^ Hoekstra, Greg (March 14, 2011). "North Van MLA nets new cabinet position". The North Shore Outlook. North Vancouver, British Columbia. p. 1.
  42. ^ Lux, Ryan (March 31, 2011). "Education to create more Northern opportunities". Alaska Highway News. Fort St. John, British Columbia. p. 1.
  43. ^ Nielsen, Mark (March 31, 2011). "P.G. hosts education frontbencher". Prince George Citizen. Prince George, British Columbia. p. 3.
  44. ^ a b Smith, Jennifer (July 8, 2011). "Cabinet minister says student debt not so bad". Kelowna Capital News. Kelowna, British Columbia. p. 1.
  45. ^ Crawley, Bruce; Sally MacDonald (September 12, 2011). "College asks for four-year nursing degree; MLA, College President in talks with Minister of Advanced Education". Daily Townsman. Cranbrook, British Columbia. p. 3.
  46. ^ Burnett, Stewart (August 25, 2011). "Northern Lights College benefits from healthcare funding". Alaska Highway News. Fort St. John, British Columbia. p. 3.
  47. ^ "B.C. looks to get more First Nations teachers". Dawson Creek Daily News. Dawson Creek, British Columbia. April 4, 2011. p. 3.
  48. ^ "VIU receives $167K for aquaculture workers". Nanaimo Daily News. Nanaimo, British Columbia. June 22, 2011. p. 5.
  49. ^ Holloway, Tessa (November 20, 2011). "Cap U funding crunch makes cuts likely". North Shore News. North Vancouver. p. 3.
  50. ^ Holloway, Tessa (May 22, 2011). "Cap U faculty protests program cuts; Adult Basic Education, literacy programs slashed in new budget". North Shore News. North Vancouver, British Columbia. p. 1.
  51. ^ Walker, Dustin (May 4, 2011). "Minister says VIU funding formula remains sufficient". Nanaimo Daily News. Nanaimo, British Columbia. p. 5.
  52. ^ Hunter, Justine (September 13, 2011). "Party leaders in campaign mode even without an election". The Globe and Mail. p. S1.
  53. ^ Schwitek, Jessica (November 22, 2011). "Minister defends Liberal advanced education policies". The Golden Star. Golden, British Columbia. p. 1.
  54. ^ Yamamoto, Naomi (June 27, 2011). "Launching the next generation as international citizens". Alaska Highway News. Fort St. John, British Columbia. p. 4.
  55. ^ Cassidy, Olivier (September 21, 2011). "International students key". The Province. Vancouver. p. 6.
  56. ^ Shaw, Rob (September 21, 2011). "Clark targets education in jobs plan". Times Colonist. Victoria, British Columbia. p. A3.
  57. ^ Palmer, Vaughn (September 24, 2011). "Results will be paramount to Clark's future after five days of jobs rhetoric". The Vancouver Sun. p. A3.
  58. ^ Steffenhagen, Janet (September 21, 2011). "B.C. faces tough competition in bid for international students". The Vancouver Sun. p. A2. Also, "Premier looks to cash in on international students" by Jonathan Fowlie, same page.
  59. ^ Kines, Lindsay (November 4, 2011). "Bill will cut students' paperwork for loans". Times Colonist. Victoria, British Columbia. p. A5.
  60. ^ "Most of Clark's cabinet ministers win re-election". CBC News. May 15, 2013. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  61. ^ "B.C. Premier Christy Clark unveils her new cabinet". CBC News. June 7, 2013. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  62. ^ "Rookie MLA to oversee B.C. education after cabinet shuffle". CTV News. July 30, 2015. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  63. ^ "Is B.C.'s government ready for an earthquake?". CBC News. October 17, 2016. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  64. ^ McElroy, Justin (May 1, 2017). "B.C. Votes 2017: North Vancouver-Lonsdale riding profile". CBC News. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  65. ^ McElroy, Justin (May 12, 2017). "With B.C. government in limbo, defeated cabinet ministers are still cabinet ministers". CBC News. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  66. ^ Seyd, Jane (May 9, 2017). "UPDATED: Ma claims North Vancouver-Lonsdale for the NDP". North Shore News. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  67. ^ "Naomi Yamamoto - BC Earthquake Alliance". BC Earthquake Alliance. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  68. ^ "2017 Provincial General Election - Statement of Votes" (PDF). Elections BC. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  69. ^ "Election Financing Reports". Elections BC. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  70. ^ "Statement of Votes - 40th Provincial General Election" (PDF). Elections BC. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
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