Wikipedia

Terry Beech

Terry J. Beech[2] PC MP (born April 2, 1981) is a Canadian businessman and politician who has served as Member of Parliament for the federal electoral district of Burnaby North—Seymour in the House of Commons of Canada since 2015.[3][4][5] Beech serves as minister for the newly created portfolio of citizen services since 2023. Prior, he served as Parliamentary Secretary to a number of Liberal cabinet ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland from 2021 to 2023.

The Honourable
Terry Beech
PC MP
Terry Beech in 2019
Beech in 2019
Minister of Citizens' Services
Incumbent
Assumed office
July 26, 2023
Prime MinisterJustin Trudeau
Preceded byPosition established
Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
In office
December 3, 2021 – July 26, 2023
MinisterChrystia Freeland
Preceded bySean Fraser
Succeeded byRachel Bendayan
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard
In office
December 12, 2019 – August 15, 2021
MinisterBernadette Jordan
Preceded bySean Casey
Succeeded byMike Kelloway
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (B.C.)
In office
March 19, 2021 – August 15, 2021
MinisterMelanie Joly
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport
In office
August 31, 2018 – September 11, 2019
MinisterMarc Garneau
Preceded byKaren McCrimmon
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard
In office
January 30, 2017 – August 31, 2018
MinisterDominic Leblanc
Preceded byUnknown
Succeeded bySean Casey
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Science
In office
December 2, 2015 – January 27, 2017
MinisterKirsty Duncan
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byKate Young
Member of Parliament
for Burnaby North—Seymour
Incumbent
Assumed office
October 19, 2015
Preceded byRiding established
Nanaimo City Councillor
In office
December 6, 1999 – December 2, 2002
Personal details
Born (1981-04-02) April 2, 1981 (age 43)[1]
Comox, British Columbia, Canada
Political partyLiberal
SpouseRavi Bansal Beech
Children2
Residence(s)Burnaby, British Columbia
Alma materSimon Fraser University (B.B.A.)
Oxford University (M.B.A)
OccupationBusinessman, politician

In 1999, Beech was elected to the Nanaimo City Council at the age of 18, becoming British Columbia's youngest-ever elected official.

Background and municipal politics

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Beech was born in Comox, British Columbia,[6] and moved to Victoria when he was one. His father worked as a janitor and his mother was a housewife. While in Victoria, Beech attended Arbutus Junior High School before moving on to Mount Douglas Senior Secondary School. He later moved to Nanaimo, where he attended John Barsby Secondary School.[7] While in grade 12, he coached the debate team and sat on the board of the Harewood Community Project Society.[citation needed]

Beech was elected to Nanaimo City Council in 1999 at age 18,[8] becoming British Columbia's youngest-ever elected official. While councillor, he sat on the Advisory Committee on the Environment, and the Joint Use Committee with School District 68 Nanaimo-Ladysmith. He served on the council for three years, and did not seek re-election, instead moving to Burnaby to pursue a degree at Simon Fraser University (SFU). After completing a joint major in business and economics there, he joined Aquilini Investment Group, working as director of business development until 2008.[9]

In 2006, Beech and his twin brother, Doug, founded a non-profit organization called Twinbro Local Leaders.[10] Twinbro was created to empower youth, and help them access post-secondary education, regardless of their social and economic background.[11]

While working on his MBA at Oxford University through their online offerings, Beech started tech company HiretheWorld. In 2010, HiretheWorld won the BCIC New Ventures Competition, and in 2012, it was named one of BC Business Magazine's top 20 most innovative companies.[12]

Beech has taught entrepreneurship and finance courses as an adjunct professor at SFU[13] and the University of British Columbia,[14] and helped redesign the entrepreneurship program at SFU.

In 2010/11, Beech participated in the Action Canada program, where he co-authored, "Fueling Canada's Economic Success: A National Strategy for High-Growth Entrepreneurship.[15]"

Member of Parliament

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Beech announcing elements of the Oceans Protection Plan

Beech was nominated as the Liberal candidate in Burnaby North—Seymour in July 2014.[16][17] In the 2015 federal election, he defeated New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate Carol Baird Ellan by 3,401 votes,[18] as well as Conservative Party candidate and now Mayor of the District of North Vancouver Mike Little by 4,326 votes.[18]

After the election, Beech was appointed the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Science.[19] In January 2017, Beech was named Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard.[19] During his tenure, Beech worked on the modernization of Canada's Fisheries Act. Part of that work included changes to the Act that restored prohibitions against the harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat ("HADD").[20] Beech also worked on Bill C-55, "An Act to amend the Oceans Act and the Canada Petroleum Resources Act", which outlined new steps for the creation and regulation of Marine Protected Areas.[21] Beech held this role until August 2018, when he was named Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport.[19] While at Transport, Beech worked closely on Bill C-64 - Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act, which addressed irresponsible vessel management.[22]

In 2018, Beech was awarded Parliamentarian of the Year for Best Civic Outreach.[23] These awards are voted on by Members of Parliament from all Parties. Beech attributes winning this award to his efforts to engage with constituents and by perpetually knocking on doors in his riding.[24]

In the 2019 Canadian federal election, Beech quashed the comeback attempt of NDP candidate Svend Robinson, who had previously served as MP in Burnaby from 1979 to 2004.[25] Beech also defeated Heather Leung, a candidate who was dropped by the Conservative Party after controversial videos featuring Leung surfaced in October 2019.[26] On December 12, 2019, Beech was once again named Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and Canadian Coast Guard.[27] On February 4, 2020, Beech was chosen by fellow caucus members to become the chair of the Federal Liberal Pacific Caucus, composed of Liberal MPs from British Columbia.[28]

In the 2021 Canadian federal election, Beech was re-elected with 39.4% of the vote, defeating NDP challenger Jim Hanson.[29] On December 3, 2021, Terry Beech was named Parliamentary Secretary to Chrystia Freeland, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.[30]

Awards

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Beech announcing elements of the Oceans Protection Plan
  • Best Politician : Best of Burnaby 2023 [31] and 2024 [32]
  • Best Constituency MP in Canada: Voted by Hill Times 2023 [33] and 2024 [34]
  • Hardest Working MP in Canada: Voted by Hill Times 2023 [33]
  • Best MP to Work For in Canada: Voted by Hill Times 2024 [34]
  • Parliamentarian of the Year - Civic Outreach: Maclean's Magazine 2018 [35]
  • Belzberg Blaney Award for Exceptional Service: Action Canada 2024 [36]

Electoral record

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2021 Canadian federal election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Terry Beech 19,445 39.5 +4.0
New Democratic Jim Hanson 14,318 29.1 -3.2
Conservative Kelsey Shein 12,535 25.5 +6.0
Green Peter Dolling 1,516 3.1 -6.5
People's Brad Nickerson 1,370 2.8 +0.6
Total valid votes 49,184 99.5
Total rejected ballots 273 0.5
Turnout 49,457 62.3
Eligible voters 79,395
Liberal hold Swing +3.6
2019 Canadian federal election: Burnaby North—Seymour
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Terry Beech 17,770 35.50 -0.59 $95,724.28
New Democratic Svend Robinson 16,185 32.33 +2.73 $96,430.99
Conservative Heather Leung 9,734 19.45 -8.40 none listed
Green Amita Kuttner 4,801 9.59 +4.32 $13,982.95
People's Rocky Dong 1,079 2.16 – none listed
Independent Robert Taylor 271 0.54 – none listed
Libertarian Lewis Dahlby 219 0.44 -0.04 none listed
Total valid votes/expense limit 50,059 99.08
Total rejected ballots 466 0.92 +0.43
Turnout 50,525 64.80
Eligible voters 77,969
Liberal hold Swing -1.66
Heather Leung was dropped by the Conservative Party of Canada after past homophobic remarks were made public,[37] but still appeared on the ballot papers.
Source: Elections Canada[38][39]
2015 Canadian federal election: Burnaby North—Seymour
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Terry Beech 18,938 36.09 +20.37 $112,731.67
New Democratic Carol Baird Ellan 15,537 29.61 -5.55 $151,963.09
Conservative Mike Little 14,612 27.84 -16.39 $74,815.44
Green Lynne Quarmby 2,765 5.27 +1.39 $104,104.37
Libertarian Chris Tylor 252 0.48 – –
Independent Helen Hee Soon Chang 207 0.39 – $1,011.85
Communist Brent Jantzen 126 0.24 – –
Marxist–Leninist Brian Sproule 43 0.08 – –
Total valid votes/expense limit 52,480 99.51   $206,738.46
Total rejected ballots 260 0.49 –
Turnout 52,740 70.34 –
Eligible voters 74,982
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing +18.38
Source: Elections Canada[40][41][42]

Personal life

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In 2013, Beech married Ravi Bansal (now Ravi Bansal Beech), who is the COO of Valley Acrylic Bath Ltd, and one of the 2018 Business in Vancouver's 40 under 40.[43] They have two daughters together, Nova and Solar.[44]

References

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  1. ^ "Terry Beech gets Liberal nod in Burnaby North-Seymour". www.burnabynow.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  2. ^ "Search for Contributions".
  3. ^ "Expenditures by Member - Selection of Members". www.parl.gc.ca. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  4. ^ "Liberal Terry Beech wins Burnaby North-Seymour". CBC News. October 19, 2015. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  5. ^ "Canada election 2015: List of elected B.C. candidates". CBC News. October 19, 2015. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  6. ^ "Profile - Beech, Terry". Library of Parliament. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  7. ^ John Barsby Secondary School
  8. ^ "Terry Beech (Liberal/Burnaby North-Seymour): This wunderkind was Canada's youngest city councillor when elected in Nanaimo at age 18. A decade and a half later he could add Oxford MBA, entrepreneur, professor, philanthropist and now MP to his resumé after his surprise victory in a riding the Liberals had no expectation of winning when the election was called". www.vancouversun.com.
  9. ^ "Terry Beech". Business in Vancouver. December 9, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  10. ^ Bjornson, Leah (July 22, 2014). "Former professor to represent Burnaby North-Seymour riding | The Peak".
  11. ^ "Twinbro - Mission and History". www.twinbro.com.
  12. ^ "Beedie alumnus and MP Terry Beech named Young Global Leader - SFU News - Simon Fraser University". www.sfu.ca.
  13. ^ "Beedie alumnus and MP Terry Beech named Young Global Leader by World Economic Forum | Ideas@Beedie". beedie.sfu.ca.
  14. ^ "Terry Beech | Prime Minister of Canada". pm.gc.ca. Archived from the original on August 14, 2019. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  15. ^ "Task Force on A National Strategy for High Growth Entrepreneurship".
  16. ^ Hui, Stephen (July 9, 2014). "Bitcoin donations enter Canadian politics". The Georgia Straight. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  17. ^ "Know your candidate: Terry Beech, Burnaby North-Seymour". Burnaby Beacon. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  18. ^ a b "Official Voting Results". www.elections.ca.
  19. ^ a b c "Roles - Terry Beech - Current and Past - Members of Parliament - House of Commons of Canada". www.ourcommons.ca.
  20. ^ Cook, Lauren E. (February 20, 2018). "The Return of the HADD: Canada's Proposed Amendments to the Fisheries Act". www.lawsonlundell.com. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  21. ^ "Changes to the Oceans Act". www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca. August 1, 2019. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  22. ^ "LEGISinfo - House Government Bill C-64 (42-1)". www.parl.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  23. ^ "Parliamentarians of the Year awards 2018 in pictures - Macleans.ca". www.macleans.ca. November 6, 2018. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  24. ^ "Terry Beech: The perpetual door-knocker - Macleans.ca". www.macleans.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  25. ^ "Election Night Results - Electoral Districts". enr.elections.ca. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  26. ^ "Turfed B.C. Conservative candidate Heather Leung speaks out | Watch News Videos Online". Global News. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  27. ^ "Parliamentary Secretaries".
  28. ^ "Terry Beech, MP". www.facebook.com. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  29. ^ "Canada election results: Burnaby North–Seymour | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  30. ^ "Prime Minister welcomes new parliamentary secretaries". Prime Minister of Canada. December 3, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  31. ^ "Best of Burnaby 2023 by Burnaby Now - Issuu". issuu.com. April 27, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  32. ^ "Best of Burnaby 2024 by Burnaby Now - Issuu". issuu.com. May 1, 2024. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  33. ^ a b "Fraser voted best minister in Question Period and best public speaker in The Hill Times' Politically Savvy Survey 2023". The Hill Times. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  34. ^ a b "Poilievre voted best public speaker, most quotable, hardest-working, and biggest self-promoter in The Hill Times' 29th Annual Politically Savvy Survey". The Hill Times. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  35. ^ "Canada | Parliamentarians of the Year awards 2018 in pictures".
  36. ^ "Award - Action Canada". actioncanada.ca/. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  37. ^ Baker, Rafferty (October 3, 2019). "Conservatives eject B.C. candidate over 'offensive' comments about LGBTQ people". CBC News. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  38. ^ "List of confirmed candidates". Elections Canada. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  39. ^ "Official Voting Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  40. ^ Elections Canada – Confirmed candidates for Burnaby North—Seymour, 30 September 2015
  41. ^ Official Voting Results - Burnaby North—Seymour
  42. ^ "Elections Canada – Preliminary Election Expenses Limits for Candidates". Archived from the original on August 15, 2015.
  43. ^ "Ravi Beech". Business in Vancouver.
  44. ^ Campbell, Chris (March 3, 2019). "MP tells House of Commons about how New West NICU saved his baby". New West Record. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
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