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

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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

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  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.
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