Tako van Popta | |
Riding: | Langley—Aldergrove |
Parliament: | Canadian |
Term Start: | October 21, 2019 |
Predecessor: | Mark Warawa |
Birth Date: | 29 May 1953[1] |
Profession: | Lawyer |
Party: | Conservative Party of Canada |
Residence: | Langley, British Columbia[2] |
Alma Mater: | Trinity Western University, University of British Columbia |
Relations: | Misty Van Popta |
Tako J. van Popta (born May 29, 1953) is a Canadian politician who was elected to represent the riding of Langley—Aldergrove in the House of Commons of Canada in the 2019 Canadian federal election,[3] and was re-elected in 2021.
Van Popta received his undergraduate degree from Trinity Western University and attended UBC to obtain his law degree. He articled with McQuarrie Hunter LLP and worked with the firm for over 30 years, eventually becoming Managing Partner and overseeing the growth that would lead to McQuarrie Hunter becoming one of the largest law firms south of the Fraser. Van Popta has also held the position of director at the Surrey Board of Trade and the Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association.
Following the resignation of his predecessor, Mark Warawa, Van Popta won the nomination race and was named the Conservative candidate for Langley Aldergrove.
In the election, Van Popta defeated his opponents Michael Chang, NDP, Kaija Farstad, Green Party, Kim Richter, Liberal Party, and Rayna Boychuk, PPC.
Following his victory, Van Popta was appointed as a member to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security.
Van Popta was re-elected for a second term in the 2021 Canadian federal election.
During the 2022 Conservative Party of Canada leadership election, Van Popta endorsed future Party Leader the Hon. Pierre Poilievre. Following his leadership victory, Poilievre appointed Van Popta to the role of Shadow Minister for Pacific Economic Development.
Van Popta is also member of the tanding Committee on Justice and Human Rights.