The Honourable
Brenda Bailey
MLA
Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation of British Columbia
Assumed office
December 7, 2022
PremierDavid Eby
Preceded byRavi Kahlon (Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation)
Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly
for Vancouver-False Creek
Assumed office
October 24, 2020
Preceded bySam Sullivan
Personal details
Born1966 or 1967 (age 56–57)[1]
Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
Political partyNew Democratic
SpouseBijan Sanii
Residence(s)Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Alma materMcGill University
University of Victoria
OccupationBusinesswoman

Brenda Bailey is a Canadian politician who has represented the electoral district of Vancouver-False Creek in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia since 2020. A member of the British Columbia New Democratic Party, she is currently the Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation of British Columbia.

Biography

Born and raised in Nanaimo,[1][2] Bailey graduated from McGill University in 1990 with a bachelor of arts degree in Political Science and International Relations,[3] and holds a degree in social work from University of Victoria.[4] She had worked in the non-profit sector, including as regional manager for the Canadian Cancer Society, prior to entering the video game industry.[3] She co-founded Vancouver-based game developer Deep Fried Entertainment in 2005, serving as chief operating officer.[1] In 2010 she co-founded Silicon Sisters, the first Canadian video game studio founded by women to create high quality games for women and girls,[5][6] and served as chief executive officer (CEO).[2] Bailey co-founded Women in Games Vancouver to support more women entering the technology sector.

Bailey has advanced studies in business and Law (UBC) and did not complete her law studies due to “family pressures”.

Bailey had served as the executive director of Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland,[7][8] before being named executive director of DigiBC, the Interactive and Digital Media Industry Association of British Columbia in February 2018.[9]

She was elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia for the riding of Vancouver-False Creek in the 2020 election, defeating the incumbent BC Liberal candidate and former Vancouver mayor Sam Sullivan.[10] She was named Parliamentary Secretary for Technology and Innovation by Premier John Horgan on November 26, 2020.[11] She was then appointed Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation by Premier David Eby on December 7, 2022.[12][13]

She is married to Bijan Sanii, CEO of INETCO, a BC fintech company. Bailey has three children from her prior marriage to Basil Stumborg, an Environmental Economist.

Electoral record

2020 British Columbia general election: Vancouver-False Creek
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Brenda Bailey 11,484 46.77 +6.30 $47,212.32
Liberal Sam Sullivan 9,217 37.54 −4.62 $85,582.35
Green Maayan Kreitzman 3,108 12.66 −3.11 $9,079.62
Conservative Erik Gretland 465 1.89 – $1,126.02
Libertarian Naomi Chocyk 280 1.14 +0.27 $0.00
Total valid votes 24,554 100.00 –
Total rejected ballots 201 0.81 +0.08
Turnout 24,755 51.06 −4.62
Registered voters 48,482
New Democratic gain from Liberal Swing +5.46
Source: Elections BC[14][15]

References

  1. ^ a b c Hui, Stephen (September 11, 2009). "Geek Speak: Brenda Bailey, chief operating officer of Deep Fried Entertainment". The Georgia Straight. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  2. ^ a b McKeon, Lauren (December 9, 2014). "Breaking the code: Tech's sexism problem". Flare, via Chatelaine. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  3. ^ a b McCabe, Daniel. "Previous 'Do-Gooder' Becomes Video Game Leader". McGill University. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  4. ^ "Introducing Brenda Bailey: MLA for False Creek". Between The Bridges. False Creek South Neighbourhood Association. November 6, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  5. ^ Kyllo, Blaine (July 20, 2010). "Canada's first women-owned video game company, Silicon Sisters, created in Vancouver". The Georgia Straight. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  6. ^ Braganza, Chantal (March 8, 2011). "Silicon Sisters developing games for women". thestar.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2014. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  7. ^ "Brenda Bailey". New Democrat BC Government Caucus. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  8. ^ Duchart, Paul (November 3, 2016). "Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland Luminary Award Soirée 2016". BC Business. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  9. ^ "DigiBC announces appointment of Brenda Bailey as its new executive director". DigiBC. February 13, 2018. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  10. ^ Fumano, Dan (October 25, 2020). "B.C. election results: NDP flips False Creek, takes nine of 11 Vancouver seats". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  11. ^ Lindsay, Bethany (November 26, 2020). "New faces join B.C.'s new cabinet, while stalwarts stay on in key roles". CBC News. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  12. ^ "New cabinet ready to take action on cost of living, health care, housing, climate" (Press release). Office of the Premier of British Columbia. December 7, 2022. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  13. ^ deRosa, Katie (December 8, 2022). "B.C. Premier David Eby unveils new cabinet with Niki Sharma, Katrine Conroy and Ravi Kahlon in top posts". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  14. ^ "Statement of Votes — 42nd Provincial General Election" (PDF). Elections BC. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  15. ^ "Election Financing Reports". Elections BC. Retrieved March 3, 2021.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Brenda Bailey.
Current members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
Cabinet of Premier of British Columbia David Eby (2022–present)
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