The 2011 federal election saw Chungsen Leung secure a seat in the House of Commons of Canada as the representative for Willowdale. This political victory followed a long career as an entrepreneur and business executive with interests spanning from disaster mitigation management to sports equipment retailing. Leung served his constituents until 2015.
Early Life and Education
Born in Taipei, Taiwan on July 14, 1950, Leung completed his secondary education in Japan. He moved to Canada in 1968. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics and business at Carleton University. Later, he pursued advanced studies at the University of Southern California, where he received a Master of Science in Management and Engineering.
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Leung operated four small and medium-sized enterprises in Richmond Hill. His business background includes serving as a director and audit chair of the Xenos Group, a publicly traded software development and engineering firm, and holding a director position with Active Growth Capital. He participated in numerous trade missions, including the Toronto-Chongqing Sister City Twinning Mission and the 1st Team Richmond Hill Mission to Asia Pacific. Additionally, he served as founding president of the Richmond Hill and Markham Chinese Business Association and held roles within the Richmond Hill Chamber of Commerce and the Conservation Foundation of Greater Toronto.
Political Tenure
Leung ran as a candidate in the 2000 federal election for the Progressive Conservative Party and the 2008 federal election for the Conservative Party, but he did not win either contest. After his 2011 election, he served as the Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism starting in May 2011. During his term, he faced criticism following comments made at a 2015 meeting regarding the Canadian embassy in Iran. He later expressed regret for any offense caused. He lost his seat to Liberal candidate Ali Ehsassi in the 2015 federal election.
Personal Pursuits and Recognition
Leung and his wife, Deborah Chute, were recognized in 2003 for constructing an energy-efficient home in Richmond Hill, receiving five national awards including honors from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Enbridge. A trained bagpiper, Leung performed for Queen Elizabeth II in 2002 and 2004, as well as for Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in 2011. He is also a scuba instructor, a cross-country skier, and an Eagle Scout who serves as Parliamentary Liaison to Scouts Canada.
Fast facts
- Born: July 14, 1950, Taipei, Taiwan
- Citizenship: Canada
- Education: Carleton University, University of Southern California
- Parliamentary Service: 2011-2015
- Spouse: Deborah Chute
- Child: Elysia
Questions readers ask
What was Chungsen Leung's primary role in the Canadian Parliament?
He served as the Member of Parliament for Willowdale from 2011 to 2015 and acted as the Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism.
What types of businesses did Chungsen Leung manage?
His experience included disaster mitigation, urban mass transit, air and water purification, sports retail, red deer farming, and software engineering.
Achievements
- Educated at Carleton University and University of Southern California
