SFU Beedie senior resident fellow Yuen Pau Woo appointed to the Canadian Senate

Yuen Pau Woo

British Columbia’s newest independent senator is Yuen Pau Woo, a senior resident fellow at the Jack Austin Centre for Asia Pacific Business Studies at SFU.  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the appointment this fall.

Woo has more than 25 years of experience in strategy and policy for business, government and not-for-profit organizations. He is widely recognized as a leading thinker on Asian economic issues and Canada-Asia relations, and is a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award in recognition of his contribution to Canada-Asia relations. Prior to his current role at SFU’s Beedie School of Business, he was president and CEO of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.

The new senator says he’s mindful of the huge responsibility to discharge his duties with independence while also respecting parliamentary tradition, Canadian values, and the long-term good of the country.

“I am excited to be part of a reforming senate, and will do everything I can to contribute not only to sound public policy, but also to the strengthening of the Upper House as an integral and valued part of the Canadian parliamentary system,” he says.
He says that while his new job in Ottawa is incredibly exciting, he doesn’t plan to be a stranger to the University.

“I love the exchange of ideas at SFU, and am a big fan of the University’s commitment to engage with the community through research, convening and partnerships,” he says. “As an independent senator, I need to be plugged into the best thinking in the country on public policy issues, and I know SFU will be an important source for great ideas that I will turn to over and over again.”