James Ho

James Ho is recognized as a prominent and well-respected businessperson and broadcaster who contributes significantly to the overall well-being of Vancouver ethnic communities. Born in Taipei, Taiwan, James came to Canada as a student in 1972. He obtained his landed immigrant status in 1973 and became a Canadian citizen in 1977.

James has a long-standing interest in broadcasting and promoting multiculturalism as a vehicle to cross-cultural understanding. In 1993 he was able to merge his two passions when he received approval from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to acquire radio station CHMB AM1320 in Vancouver and operate it as a multicultural station. In February 2002, the CRTC granted a television licence to a group led by Mr. Ho. The television station, called Channel M, was sold to Rogers in May 2008 and it is currently a part of Omni across Canada.

James is currently a member of the advisory council on diversity for the Canadian Armed Forces Joint Task Force (Pacific).

He has served on several boards including the Vancouver Aquarium, United Chinese Community Enrichment Service Society (SUCCESS), and the Foundation of Simon Fraser University. He was a member of the Diversity Advisory Committee to Chief Constable Jamie Graham: Vancouver Police Department; a member of the RCMP Commissioner's Advisory Committee on Visible Minorities; and an advisor to the Commanding Officer's Cultural Advisory Committee on Cultural Diversity, RCMP BC and Yukon “E” Division. He was also an advisor (past president) of the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce of Canada and past president of the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce of British Columbia.

James was voted “Person of the Year” by the Interfaith Brotherhood Society in March 2007.

He lives in Vancouver with his wife, Emily. James joined the National Arts Centre Foundation Board of Directors in 2013.