Born, educated and raised in Hong Kong, Yiu joined his family business after graduation. Following his early passion for the arts, Gabriel went on to become the arts administrator at an experimental art institution in Hong Kong. There, he produced over a dozen stage productions, exhibitions, and organized the company to perform in major international art festivals. During his time in Hong Kong, Gabriel also participated in the study and development of cultural policy.
Gabriel has lived in the Fraserview neighbourhood since migrating to Canada in 1991. Gabriel is proud to call the diverse area his home, where he resides with his wife, two children and parents-in-law.
For over 20 years, Gabriel and his wife have owned and run a successful local business, recognized as an industry leader.
Gabriel is also a veteran media commentator, having written regularly for many newspapers including the Vancouver Sun, Business In Vancouver, Ming Pao Daily, and World Journal. He is presently a columnist for the Global Chinese Press and West Canada Weekly. In the past, he has hosted news commentary shows for Fairchild TV, Fairchild Radio and AM1320. He has won many awards, including the Cultural Harmony Award from the City of Vancouver, the best BC newspaper column 2nd place, and the best overseas Chinese news media commentary top prize. Gabriel was also featured in the 1997 Vancouver special issue of TIME magazine, where he was profiled in a full-page item on the top “People to Watch” in the City.
Gabriel has participated in many non-profit organizations. He was the chair of Chinese Mental Wellness Association of Canada and the Vancouver Hong Kong Forum Society. He has served on the board of the BC Newspapers Foundation, Vancouver Dance Centre, Centre A, as well as serving as advisor to the UBC Museum of Anthropology. In Hong Kong, he was the board secretary of the Hong Kong Arts Administrators Association.
In the local community, Gabriel has led and participated in many successful campaigns, including the Fight HST campaign, the Chinese Head Tax redress, the campaign against excessive control on natural health products, the campaign against the closure of Champlain Annex School, as well as publicly advocating for justice for a victim of accidental police brutality.
Gabriel ran in the 2009 BC election but was cheated out of a win because of dirty tricks used by the Kash Heed campaign. In April 2011, Heed’s campaign manager was charged with 12 violations of the Election Act and Criminal Code. In July 2011, Heed admitted that his campaign had overspent $4,100 beyond the allowable campaign limit: an admission, which according to Section 217 of the Election Act could force his seat to be vacated. In June 2012, Heed announced that he would not seek re-election.
In the 2009 election campaign, Gabriel won support within the NDP to include building a much-needed seniors’ centre for Fraserview into the party election platform. He is hard working and dedicated to serving the residents of Vancouver-Fraserview. Gabriel looks forward to your support to help him continue be a strong voice for you and our community.
