Selina Robinson

Selina Robinson
Name	Selina Robinson
Birth date	1963/1964
Birth place	Hong Kong
Nationality	Canadian
Occupation	Politician
Party	British Columbia New Democratic Party
Office	Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia for Coquitlam-Maillardville
Term start	2013

Selina Robinson is a Canadian politician and former educator who has served as the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Coquitlam-Maillardville since 2013. She represents the British Columbia New Democratic Party and has held multiple cabinet posts in the provincial government, including portfolios related to municipal affairs, mental health, housing, and citizens' services. Robinson's career combines work in post-secondary education administration, community development, and public service.

Early life and education

Robinson was born in Hong Kong and immigrated to Canada during childhood, growing up in Coquitlam, British Columbia and attending local schools tied to the School District 43 Coquitlam system. She completed post-secondary studies at institutions including Douglas College and pursued further training in adult education and business administration through programs associated with Simon Fraser University and continuing education providers in the Metro Vancouver region. Her background reflects connections to immigrant communities in Greater Vancouver, and influences from local cultural organizations such as the Coquitlam Cultural Centre and community groups in Port Moody and Port Coquitlam.

Career before politics

Before entering provincial politics, Robinson worked in roles spanning post-secondary education administration and non-profit management. She held positions at institutions including Douglas College and engaged with workforce development initiatives connected to the British Columbia Council for International Education and regional economic development agencies in Metro Vancouver. Robinson served on boards and advisory committees associated with community health organizations, unions such as the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), and immigrant-serving agencies operating in Fraser Health Authority communities. Her work intersected with public-sector human resources, program delivery in lifelong learning, and partnerships with municipal bodies like the City of Coquitlam.

Provincial political career

Robinson was first elected as MLA for Coquitlam-Maillardville in the 2013 British Columbia general election, defeating the incumbent from the British Columbia Liberal Party and joining a caucus led by the British Columbia New Democratic Party. She was re-elected in subsequent provincial elections, serving under party leaders including John Horgan and David Eby. During opposition years, Robinson participated in legislative committees and critic roles focused on portfolios linked to community services and public infrastructure, interacting with ministries such as Ministry of Health (British Columbia) and agencies including the Provincial Health Services Authority. Her legislative activity engaged with statutes and initiatives involving provincial regulatory frameworks and provincial-municipal relations.

Ministerial roles and policy initiatives

Robinson has held several ministerial positions in the provincial cabinet. Her appointments have included roles as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (British Columbia), Minister of Citizens' Services (British Columbia), and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions (British Columbia). In these capacities she worked on programs and policy files interacting with agencies such as BC Housing, the Health Authorities (including Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health), and Crown corporations like BC Ferries in matters of service delivery. Key initiatives under her tenure addressed the provincial response to housing shortages in the Metro Vancouver region, expansion of community-based mental health services aligned with recommendations from the Mental Health Commission of Canada, and modernization efforts for provincial digital services with collaboration from the Public Service Agency and municipal partners including the City of Vancouver and Surrey.

Her ministerial work involved negotiations and partnerships with stakeholder groups including municipal associations like the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, advocacy organizations such as the BC Non-Profit Housing Association, and unions represented by United Steelworkers and Canadian Union of Public Employees. Policy measures she advanced included funding models for affordable housing projects, procurement reforms for citizens' services, and expansion of treatment supports consistent with provincial public health frameworks.

Electoral history

Robinson contested and won the Coquitlam-Maillardville seat in the 2013 British Columbia general election, unseating the British Columbia Liberal Party incumbent. She retained the riding in the 2017 British Columbia general election and the 2020 British Columbia general election, contributing to the British Columbia New Democratic Party forming government and later securing a majority. Her electoral campaigns engaged with local platforms addressing transit priorities connected to TransLink, housing pressures tied to Metro Vancouver Regional District planning, and service delivery matters in coordination with neighbouring ridings such as Port Coquitlam and Coquitlam-Burke Mountain.

Personal life and community involvement

Robinson resides in Coquitlam, British Columbia and has been active in community organizations, including local arts groups at the Place des Arts (Coquitlam) and neighbourhood associations. She has volunteered with community health and immigrant settlement agencies that operate within the Fraser Health Authority jurisdiction and has maintained relationships with educational institutions like Douglas College and local school councils. Her community engagement includes participation in events organized by the Coquitlam Centre business association and collaboration with municipal leaders such as the Mayor of Coquitlam on local initiatives.

Category:Members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia Category:British Columbia New Democratic Party MLAs Category:Women MLAs in British Columbia Category:People from Coquitlam