Liberals in Burnaby South have nominated Karen Wang, a Burnaby daycare operator, to take on federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh when a byelection is announced.

Wang beat out candidate and biotechnology scientist Cyrus Eduljee Saturday during a nomination meeting.

article continues below

Wang ran for the BC Liberals in Burnaby-Deer Lake in the 2017 provincial election. She is a small business owner, mother of two, and active community volunteer who lives in Burnaby South with her husband and family. She has been an early childhood educator and entrepreneur in the Lower Mainland for more than 15 years. She also sings opera in her spare time.

“In Burnaby South, we need a committed local champion in Parliament who knows our city’s challenges and opportunities, and who will always be a strong voice for our community,” said Wang. “I look forward to working with Justin Trudeau to grow our economy, strengthen our middle class, invest in more affordable housing and better transit and roads, and protect a healthy environment for our kids and grandkids.”

Wang spoke to the NOW in 2017 about why she would be a good Burnaby representative.

Karen Wang. JENNIFER GAUTHIER PHOTO

“I listen and I care. I am not beholden to any special interest groups and can therefore faithfully represent my constituents’ needs without fear or favour.”Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has not yet set a date for the byelection in Burnaby South, which was vacated by former New Democrat MP Kennedy Stewart, now Vancouver's mayor.

Corporate lawyer Jay Shin is running for the Conservatives, while Green party leader Elizabeth May has said the Greens won't run a candidate and Maxime Bernier's People's Party of Canada has not named one.

The byelection, expected for February, marks Singh's biggest political test to date while he also tries to calm party fears about fundraising, slumping polls and a growing list of veteran MPs who say they won't run in 2019.

Singh has said he plans to focus on campaigning in the riding over the next month, so he can check "elected" off his to-do list for the critical campaign year ahead.

He has declined to say whether he will step down as party leader should he lose.

In the 2015 federal election, the NDP won Burnaby South by just over 500 votes.

- with files from the Canadian Press