The Honourable Mary McNeil, Minister of Citizens’ Services and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism and the Public Affairs Bureau, represents the vibrant, diverse and growing riding of Vancouver-False Creek.

After only one year in office, Mary McNeil has established a strong track record for reliability, fresh ideas and loyalty to her community. This is a natural outcome, as she came to the job an experienced and concerned individual, who had served key roles in international economic events as well as in health care and public safety. She and her husband Rod, who have raised four daughters, boast 14 grandchildren and have lived in Yaletown for more than 12 years. Mary was born and educated in Vancouver.

McNeil served in key roles in the G7s in Halifax and Toronto, APEC in Vancouver and the XI international conference on AIDS. She was president and CEO of the BC Cancer Foundation for eight years. A member of the Vancouver Police Board for 4 years, McNeil understands public safety issues in the community and believes safe streets, parks, seawall and neighbourhoods are the right of all residents.

As the Minister of State for the Olympics, McNeil headed up the most successful Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in history. By any measurement – athletic achievement, medals won by our Canadian athletes, public engagement and participation, tourism, economic benefits, global television audience, safety and security – our host communities, our province and our country set a new standard.

Team Canada won 26 medals at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games – the most medals Canada has won at a Winter Olympic Games. Canada’s 14 gold medals are also the most gold medals won by a host country at the Winter Olympic Games. Our Paralympic athletes won 19 medals including 10 gold medals – a new gold medal record for Canada at a Paralympic Winter Games.

About 3.5 billion people around the world watched the Games, and a quarter of a million visitors came to B.C. to experience the Games in person – an unparalleled opportunity to showcase B.C. to the world. The Conference Board of Canada has forecast that the Games will add an additional $770 million to B.C.’s economy in 2010 alone. B.C.-based companies were awarded nearly 80 percent of Olympic-related contracts by value. And the Government’s Games-time integrated hosting program engaged 1,000 companies from outside British Columbia and resulted in at least a dozen partnerships that will create jobs and build a stronger economy. Government is monitoring at least 27 other pending agreements. In total, the Games are expected to generate $4 billion in economic benefits for British Columbia

Under the leadership of Mary McNeil, the BC Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Secretariat developed a showcase celebration site in downtown Vancouver. Over 1.5 million people visited the Robson Square celebration site during the 2010 Winter Games to enjoy the concerts, skate at GE Plaza, ride the zipline, watch the Ignite the Dream show and take in other activities around the square. The BC Pavilion welcomed over 140,000 visitors through the 2010 Winter Games. The BC International Media Centre hosted approximately 3,900 domestic and foreign media.