Olga Ilich (born 1951 or 1952) is a former Canadian politician. She represented the riding of Richmond Centre in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia from 2005 to 2009 as a member of the British Columbia Liberal Party,[3] and served in the Executive Council of British Columbia from 2005 to 2008.

Olga Ilich
Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly
for Richmond Centre
In office
May 17, 2005 – May 12, 2009
Preceded byGreg Halsey-Brandt
Succeeded byRob Howard
Minister of Tourism, Sports and the Arts of British Columbia
In office
June 16, 2005 – August 15, 2006
PremierGordon Campbell
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byStan Hagen
Minister of Labour and Citizens’ Services of British Columbia
In office
August 15, 2006 – June 23, 2008
PremierGordon Campbell
Preceded byMichael de Jong
Succeeded byIain Black
Personal details
Born1951 or 1952 (age 71–72)[1]
The Netherlands
Political partyBC Liberal (Provincial)
Conservative (Federal)[2]
Alma materUniversity of British Columbia (BA)
University of Manitoba (MA)
Memorial University of Newfoundland (MBA)
Occupationreal estate developer

Biography edit

Born in the Netherlands, she moved to Richmond, British Columbia in 1959, graduating from Steveston Secondary School.[4] After receiving a bachelor of arts degree from the University of British Columbia, she attended the University of Manitoba and graduated with a master of arts degree, and attained an MBA from the Memorial University of Newfoundland.[4]

She was hired at Richmond-based Progressive Construction by Milan Ilich in 1980, eventually becoming the company's executive vice-president.[5][6] At one point she was married to Milan's brother Bob, with whom she has two sons.[6] She went on to found her own real estate company Suncor Development.[4][6]

She ran for the BC Liberals in the 2005 provincial election, and was elected member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Richmond Centre.[3] She was named to Premier Gordon Campbell's cabinet as Minister of Tourism, Sports and the Arts that June, before being re-assigned as Minister of Labour and Citizens’ Services in August 2006.[7][8] During her time on the labour file, the provincial government implemented regulations to protect gas station workers by mandating pre-payment at urban gas stations at night.[1][9] In December 2007 she announced her decision to not seek a second term as MLA at the next provincial election;[1] she was dropped from the cabinet in June 2008.[7][10]

After finishing her term in May 2009, she was named by mayor of Vancouver Gregor Robertson in December 2011 to co-chair a task force on housing affordability.[11] She became a member of Destination Canada's board of directors in 2014, and served as chair of the board from 2015 to 2017.[12][13]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Second female B.C. cabinet minister won't seek new term". CBC News. The Canadian Press. December 14, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  2. ^ Michael Chong 🇨🇦 [@MichaelChongMP] (April 5, 2017). "Statement from former BC Cabinet Minister Olga Ilich. Read more: #cpcldr" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  3. ^ a b "Richmond Centre: British Columbia Votes 2013". CBC News. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c "38th Parliament Members at dissolution on April 14, 2009: MLA: Olga Ilich". Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  5. ^ Hopkins, Michelle (July 6, 2011). "Remembering Milan Ilich". Richmond News. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c Kroeker, Arlene (March 19, 2010). "Olga Ilich". Montecristo Magazine. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Campbell Cabinet: 37th Parliament 2001-2005, 38th Parliament 2005-2009, 39th Parliament 2009-2011" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  8. ^ "Campbell shakes up cabinet". CBC News. August 15, 2006. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  9. ^ "B.C. to implement 'Grant's Law' to protect gas station workers". CBC News. October 4, 2006. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  10. ^ "B.C. Premier shuffles provincial cabinet". CTV News. June 23, 2008. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  11. ^ Cole, Yolande (December 12, 2011). "Former B.C. cabinet minister Olga Ilich appointed to Vancouver housing task force". Georgia Straight. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  12. ^ "Olga Ilich appointed as Chair of the Board of Directors of Destination Canada". Industry Canada. June 26, 2015. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  13. ^ "Destination Canada welcomes new chairperson". Destination Canada. February 27, 2017. Retrieved January 31, 2024.

External links edit