--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, 01 MAY 2013—

Olivia Chow to pen memoir for HarperCollinsCanada

TORONTO —Olivia Chow, Member of Parliament, seasoned national and community politician, and widow of former NDP leader , will write her memoir for HarperCollinsCanada, telling for the first time the many stories that make up her private and public life.

“I’m proud to have the opportunity to work with someone who has given so much for this country, and in many ways embodies the modern Canadian immigrant experience,” said Iris Tupholme, Publisher, Vice President and Editor-in-Chief at HarperCollinsCanada. “Her life has been an adventure, a struggle and a triumph, and Canadians will now have the opportunity to see the private side of this very public figure.”

“My story is like so many Canadians’. It’s a story of challenges and loss but also the story of finding my home in a country and community that has given me so much,” said Chow. “My journey has convinced me that each of us has the power to make a difference, and that by sharing our stories, we learn, we heal and we focus our dreams.”

“Olivia Chow is one of Canada's most inspirational citizens and leaders - and her story is an essential one for our times,” said Bruce Westwood, who arranged the publishing deal for Westwood Creative Artists.

At 13, Chow’s middle-class family moved from Hong Kong to . Like the experience of so many immigrants, the transition was difficult. Her mother went from having a maid to being a maid as she struggled through cleaning jobs. Her father, a respected school inspector in Hong Kong and an opera aficionado, tried to carve out a working life for himself in Canada but nothing took hold. Frustrated and bitter, he took his anger out on Olivia's mother.

A rebellious child in Hong Kong, Olivia had failed Grade 3 there, but now motivated to learn in Canada, she studied fine art and philosophy at university.

As a popular School Trustee and Toronto City Councillor, Olivia helped shape Toronto’s approach to budgets, social services, child care and community development. She has earned a reputation as a unifier and organizer who is well-respected for her abilities to unite diverse political entities.

In the early ‘80s Olivia met Jack Layton. Together, this remarkable couple created a dynamic and courageous political partnership in which they determined to use their influence to improve the lives of those in their communities. Strong-willed, focused, outspoken and passionate, Chow, along with Layton, lived her ideals at home and in her community. Together with Jack, they forged a strong vision for a better country, for communities and for progressive political change.

… more on page 2 Olivia Chow is a MP and former city councillor (1991–2005) in Toronto. She won the Trinity-Spadina riding for the New Democratic Party on January 23, 2006, becoming a member of the Canadian House of Commons. Most recently, she was re-elected in her riding for her third straight win. Chow is the widow of former NDP and Opposition Leader Jack Layton; they were married from 1988 until his death in 2011. She speaks , Mandarin and English. In May 2012, Chow was named one of the top 25 Canadian immigrants by Canadian Immigrant magazine.

Olivia Chow’s memoir will be published in early 2014.

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For further information contact Rob Firing, Senior Director, Publicity, Communications & Speakers’ Bureau at HarperCollinsCanada, 416-975-9334 ext. 141. Email [email protected].

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