Newly elected member of Parliament Kenny Chiu flew his family, including his mother, out to Ottawa for his swearing-in ceremony this week.
Chiu said it was “meaningful” for his mother to see her son go through the immigration process, become a Canadian citizen, serve as a school trustee and now represent the people of Steveston-Richmond East in the country’s highest legislature, he explained.
“It’s such an honour - her expression showed that,” said Chiu, who immigrated from Hong Kong in 1989.
Chiu beat incumbent MP Joe Peschisolido on Oct. 21 in the federal election, and with the re-election of Conservative MP Alice Wong in Richmond Centre, turned all of Richmond Conservative blue.
The election put the governing Liberals in a minority position with 157 seats and placed the Conservatives as the official opposition with 121 seats.
Since being elected, Chiu has been to Ottawa three times – first for a caucus meeting to meet his fellow Conservative MPs, the second week for an orientation and training, and this week to be sworn in.
His question was why couldn’t all three things happen the same week – but everything happens according to procedure, he said. For example, he had to wait for the writ to be returned from his riding before he could be sworn in, and that didn’t happen until this week.
Chiu said moving from the private sector to public service has been a “bit of an adjustment."
He said he can’t believe how many forms he needs to fill out, and how much process and procedures he has to go through.
For example, after getting official portraits done, he chose a few, and then had to sign and date the photos.
In the meantime, Chiu is setting up his local constituency office, but he hasn't finalized the location yet.
Parliament resumes on Dec. 5 when a speaker will be chosen, and the following Monday, there will be the Speech from the Throne to mark the beginning of the 43rd Parliament.
