25 Facts About Naomi Yamamoto

Naomi Yamamoto was born on 1960 or 1961 and is a Canadian politician who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, representing the electoral district of North Vancouver-Lonsdale from 2009 to 2017.

Naomi Yamamoto is the first Japanese Canadian member of the BC legislature.

Naomi Yamamoto spent time on the governing boards of Capilano College, the North Shore Credit Union, the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, and the Gordon and Marion Smith Foundation.

Naomi Yamamoto completed one term as president of the BC Chamber of Commerce and worked as the president and general manager of the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce from 2007 until she was elected as MLA.

Naomi Yamamoto was born in Vancouver and grew up with one brother and one sister; the whole family moved to North Vancouver in 1970.

Naomi Yamamoto's father had instilled in her an appreciation of outdoor activities, such as fishing, trail running, and cycling, which turned into lifelong hobbies.

Naomi Yamamoto majored in film and television studies at the University of British Columbia, graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in 1982.

Naomi Yamamoto went on to work at her family's Japan Camera outlet for seven years.

Naomi Yamamoto started volunteering at the North Shore Neighbourhood House, which assisted seniors and at-risk children.

Naomi Yamamoto was active with the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce and served one term as president of the BC Chamber of Commerce.

Naomi Yamamoto spent six years, beginning in 1995, on the Capilano College board of governors; eleven years, beginning in 1998, on the North Shore Credit Union board of directors; and eight years, beginning in 2001, on the Vancouver Coastal Health board of directors.

Naomi Yamamoto was recognized by the Vancouver Board of Trade in 2000 with the Women in the Spotlight Award, and by the newspaper Business in Vancouver in 2003 with their Influential Women in Business Award.

Naomi Yamamoto served on the board of directors for the Gordon and Marion Smith Foundation for Young Artists, beginning in 2004.

Naomi Yamamoto is married to Fred Pinnock, a former Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer.

Naomi Yamamoto expressed interest in pursuing a career in provincial politics in June 2008, when there was speculation that long-time North Vancouver-Seymour MLA Daniel Jarvis was going to retire.

Naomi Yamamoto was considered the underdog but defeated Bell in the second round of the preferential ballot.

Nonetheless, Naomi Yamamoto won the election, making her the first person with Japanese ancestry to be elected MLA in BC.

Naomi Yamamoto was a strong advocate of the Harmonized Sales Tax, as she had been lobbying in favour of its introduction in BC for years prior to running for political office.

Naomi Yamamoto had found all the leadership contenders held similar views on economic issues, health care and education, but that Abbott was the more personable contender.

Naomi Yamamoto toured various post-secondary institutions across the province and announced $1.5 million for healthcare training programs, $500,000 for a First Nations teaching program, and $300,000 to train First Nations aquaculture workers.

Naomi Yamamoto rebuffed calls for greater student affordability and provincial funding for the universities, defending the existing student loan program and the existing provincial funding formula, citing the "challenging fiscal environment".

Naomi Yamamoto supported the creation of the new council, as an independent steering committee with a broader scope.

In May 2012, with her father in attendance, Naomi Yamamoto introduced the province of British Columbia's formal apology for its role in the internment of Japanese Canadians during World War II.

Naomi Yamamoto was re-assigned as Minister of State for Small Business in September 2012; she remained in cabinet after winning re-election in 2013, with her position re-titled to Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business.

Naomi Yamamoto ran for re-election in 2017, but was defeated by NDP candidate Bowinn Ma.