{{Short description|Canadian politician}} {{pp-pc}} {{Use Canadian English|date=September 2021}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Thomas Dang | honorific_suffix = | image = MLA Dang - Portraits - 20181130 - 037 (cropped).jpg | caption = Dang in 2018 | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1995|4|7}} | birth_place = Edmonton, Alberta | office = Alberta NDP Deputy House Leader | leader = Rachel Notley | predecessor = Christina Gray | term_start = February 8, 2021 | term_end = December 21, 2021 | successor = | office2 = Alberta NDP Infrastructure Critic | leader2 = Rachel Notley | predecessor2 = | term_start2 = April 2019 | term_end2 = December 21, 2021 | successor2 = | office3 = Alberta NDP Democracy and Ethics Critic | leader3 = Rachel Notley | predecessor3 = Heather Sweet | term_start3 = October 2021 | term_end3 = December 21, 2021 | successor3 = | office4 = Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Edmonton-South | predecessor4 = ''District recreated last held by Herbert Crawford'' (1913–1921) | term_start4 = April 16, 2019 | term_end4 = May 29, 2023 | successor4 = Rhiannon Hoyle | office5 = Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Edmonton-South West | predecessor5 = Matt Jeneroux | term_start5 = May 5, 2015 | term_end5 = April 16, 2019 | successor5 = Kaycee Madu | party = Alberta NDP(2015{{ndash}}2021) Independent (2021{{ndash}}2023) Yukon NDP(2023{{ndash}}present) | other_party = Alberta New Democratic Party (until 2021) | occupation = Politician, information security architect | alma_mater = | website = {{URL|thomasdang.ca}} }} '''Thomas Kyle Dang''' (born April 7, 1995) is a former Canadian politician who was elected in the 2015 Alberta general election to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta representing the electoral district of Edmonton-South West.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/riding-results-edmonton-south-west |title=Riding results: Edmonton — South West |newspaper=Edmonton Journal |access-date=May 11, 2015}}</ref> Dang is the youngest MLA to ever be elected in Alberta.<ref name="maki globe 2015">{{cite news |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/alberta/five-questions-with-thomas-dang-the-alberta-ndps-20-year-old-mla/article24578513/ |title=Five questions with Thomas Dang, The Alberta NDP's 20-year-old MLA |newspaper=Globe and Mail |access-date=May 25, 2015}}</ref> He later sat as an independent MLA.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Member Information |url=https://www.assembly.ab.ca/members/members-of-the-legislative-assembly/member-information?mid=0843&legl=30&from=mla_home |access-date=2021-12-22 |website=www.assembly.ab.ca}}</ref>
Dang was a member of the first Alberta NDP Government Caucus in the province's history. During his first term, Dang advocated heavily for the new South-West high school and hospital, both of which were announced during his tenure.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Gerein|first=Keith|date=May 30, 2017|title=Construction on Edmonton's 'badly needed' new hospital will be done by 2026|work=Edmonton Journal|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/new-hospital-will-be-edmontons-third-largest-government-set-to-confirm-details-tuesday}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|last=Parrish|first=Julia|date=November 17, 2017|title=Province announces plans for new high school in southwest Edmonton|work=CTV News|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/article/province-announces-plans-for-new-high-school-in-southwest-edmonton/}}</ref> He also put forward motions related to education and notably, changes to daylight saving time in Alberta.
In April 2019, Thomas Dang was re-elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in the new electoral district of Edmonton-South, defeating the United Conservative Party candidate Tunde Obasan by a narrow margin.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/alberta-election-2019/results|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417024343/https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/alberta-election-2019/results|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 17, 2019|title=Alberta Election Results 2019 {{!}} CTV News|website=www.ctvnews.ca|access-date=2019-04-18}}</ref> On December 21, 2021, Dang resigned from the NDP caucus after an RCMP search of his home.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=Alberta NDP MLA Thomas Dang steps down after RCMP search home {{!}} Globalnews.ca|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/8466677/alberta-ndp-mla-thomas-dang-steps-down-rcmp-search/|access-date=2021-12-22|website=Global News|language=en-US}}</ref> The search was later linked to a hack on the Alberta government vaccine information website, which, according to Dang, he conducted to highlight security flaws in the site. The Alberta Government eventually introduced a public vulnerability disclosure program for cybersecurity.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=Cybersecurity in Alberta |url=https://www.alberta.ca/cybersecurity-in-alberta.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125161228/https://www.alberta.ca/cybersecurity-in-alberta.aspx |archive-date=2022-11-25 |access-date=2022-11-25 |website=www.alberta.ca |language=en-CA}}</ref> Ultimately, Dang pled guilty and was fined $7,200 in November 2022.
He is currently the Information Security Architect for the Government of Yukon and speaks at various Cyber Security Conferences about his experience.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |title=BSides Edmonton Speakers 2025 |url=https://www.bsidesedmonton.org/speaker-list |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250719193406/https://www.bsidesedmonton.org/speaker-list |archive-date=2025-07-19 |access-date=2025-07-19 |website=BSides Edmonton |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":11" /><ref name=":13">{{Cite web |title=Bsides Edmonton X |url=https://twitter.com/bsidesedmonton/status/1833536126717509975 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910160052/https://twitter.com/bsidesedmonton/status/1833536126717509975 |archive-date=2024-09-10 |access-date=2025-07-19 |website=twitter.com}}</ref> As of 2024, he is the Authorized Financial Agent for the Yukon New Democratic Party.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 31, 2025 |title=Financial reports for political parties and elections |url=https://electionsyukon.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/POLI2025-2024%20ARR_Report_ENG_FINAL.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250803134849/https://electionsyukon.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/POLI2025-2024%20ARR_Report_ENG_FINAL.pdf |archive-date=August 3, 2025 |access-date=December 2, 2025 |website=Elections Yukon |publisher=Elections Yukon |format=PDF}}</ref>
== Early life and education == Dang was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. He is the second child of ethnic Chinese parents, who were refugees from Vietnam.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Thomas Dang, MLA |url=https://thomasdang.ca/about |access-date=2018-11-18 |website=thomasdang.ca |language=en}}</ref><ref name="maki globe 2015" />
=== Education === Before entering politics, Dang was pursuing a degree in Computing Science at the University of Alberta. In 2022, he completed a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance from Western Governors University.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=MLA |first=Thomas Dang |title=About Thomas |url=https://thomasdang.ca/about/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125162145/https://thomasdang.ca/about/ |archive-date=2022-11-25 |access-date=2022-11-25 |website=Thomas Dang, MLA |language=en}}</ref> He has also completed a University Certificate in Computing and Information Systems from Athabasca University.<ref name=":8" /> Dang has previously worked as a software consultant and software developer.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=MLA |first=Thomas Dang |title=Curriculum Vitae |url=https://thomasdang.ca/cv/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125162856/https://thomasdang.ca/cv/ |archive-date=2022-11-25 |access-date=2022-11-25 |website=Thomas Dang, MLA |language=en}}</ref>
==Political career==
Dang entered politics as a candidate for the New Democratic Party of Alberta. He served as a member of the Standing Committee on the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund, the Special Standing Committee on Members' Services and the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship. He also previously served as a member of the Standing Committee on Private Bills.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_bio&rnumber=44&leg=29 |title=MLA Biography |work=Legislative Assembly of Alberta |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211035221/http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_bio&rnumber=44&leg=29 |archive-date=2015-12-11 |access-date=2015-12-11 }}</ref>
In December 2020, Dang was named as Alberta's Best Representative of Constituents by his legislature colleagues.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Alberta MLAs Recognized by Colleagues for Their Service|url=https://www.assembly.ab.ca/about/news-and-announcements/2020/12/03/alberta-mlas-recognized-by-colleagues-for-their-service|access-date=2021-02-01|website=www.assembly.ab.ca}}</ref> left|thumb|Dang in 2015
=== Early career === Dang was a computer science student at the University of Alberta. He also wrote a blog on provincial politics. He defeated incumbent Progressive Conservative MLA Matt Jeneroux in the May 5, 2015 election that saw the Alberta NDP sweep the city of Edmonton and win a majority government, the first switch of governing parties in the province since the 1971 election.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/a-yoga-teacher-students-and-a-hugo-chavez-fan-what-an-ndp-government-might-look-like-in-alberta|title=A yoga teacher, a Hugo Chavez fan and students: What an NDP government might look like in Alberta|author=Jen Gerson|date=4 May 2015|work=National Post}}</ref> As of 2014–2015, he is a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity at the University of Alberta.<ref name="maki globe 2015" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://dualberta.com/undergraduate-chapter-officers|title=Undergraduate Chapter Officers|work=Delta Upsilon Alberta Chapter|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518073950/http://dualberta.com/undergraduate-chapter-officers|archive-date=2015-05-18|url-status=dead|access-date=2015-12-11}}</ref>
=== Official Opposition === In his second term, Dang served as the Official Opposition Infrastructure Critic and as Democracy and Ethics Critic.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Thomas Dang|url=https://www.albertandpcaucus.ca/your-mlas/thomas-dang|access-date=2021-01-26|website=www.albertandpcaucus.ca}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |user=rachelnotley |number=1450519623762391049 |url=https://twitter.com/rachelnotley/status/1450519623762391049 |access-date=2023-05-15 |title=It's clear that no-one in the UCP learned a thing... |url-status=live |archive-date=October 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019175155/https://twitter.com/rachelnotley/status/1450519623762391049 |language=en}}</ref> In February 2021, he was appointed Official Opposition Deputy House Leader.<ref name=":2" />
During his time in opposition, he was a vocal critic against misuse of funds and brought forward motions to investigate spending scandals and errors of Government MLAs.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Amato|first=Sean|date=2021-01-20|title=MLA Pat Rehn to pay back expenses claimed in 'error'|url=https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/mla-pat-rehn-to-pay-back-expenses-claimed-in-error-1.5275340|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120235932/https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/mla-pat-rehn-to-pay-back-expenses-claimed-in-error-1.5275340|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 20, 2021|access-date=2021-01-26|website=Edmonton|language=en}}</ref>
==== Democracy and Ethics Critic ==== Dang opposed a motion that granted UCP MLA Joseph Schow a $12,000 raise in October 2021. He called the move to increase a politicians' pay "absurd" and "hypocritical" while the Government is asking front-line and public sector workers for a wage rollback.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Guse|first=Jessica|date=October 18, 2021|title=UCP raises MLA, Deputy Government House Leader Joseph Schow's salary by $12K {{!}} Globalnews.ca|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/8274277/ucp-raises-deputy-government-house-leader-salary-joseph-schow/|access-date=2021-10-19|website=Global News|language=en-US}}</ref>
In November 2021, Dang sent a letter to Elections Alberta requesting an independent review of the use of third-party money to purchase tickets to the United Conservative Party annual general meeting.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kenney defends use of third-party money to buy tickets to upcoming annual general meeting|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/alberta-ucp-annual-general-meeting-preview-jason-kenney|access-date=2021-11-20|website=edmontonjournal|language=en-CA}}</ref>
==== Infrastructure Critic ====
===== Hospitals ===== In May 2017, the Alberta Government announced a new hospital in southwest Edmonton. The location was chosen in part due to its proximity to both Anthony Henday Drive and the Queen Elizabeth Highway 2 (Alberta). The location is also near a proposed future LRT expansion. This decision was in part due to advocacy by Dang and he was on hand for the announcement.<ref name=":0" />
Dang was critical of the UCP Government for not fully funding the proposed Red Deer Hospital.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-09|title=Alberta's NDP demands funding for Red Deer hospital|url=https://www.reddeeradvocate.com/news/albertas-ndp-demands-funding-for-red-deer-hospital/|access-date=2021-04-14|website=Red Deer Advocate|language=en-US}}</ref>
===== Schools ===== In November 2017, Premier Rachel Notley and Education Minister David Eggen, alongside Dang, announced the construction of a new high school for the southwest region of Edmonton, the city's first new high school in over 12 years. The new high school, with space for 1,800 students, was announced in response to the dramatic growth in that part of the city. Dang had been advocating for the school for several years.<ref name=":1" />
Dang also advocated for parents and students experiencing issues with the public–private partnership schools built in the Edmonton area. The schools have experienced issues with drainage issues leading to mud pits and large fences installed by the contractor.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Cummings|first=Madeleine|date=June 5, 2017|title=Stuck in the mud: Parents sound off on dirty grounds outside Johnny Bright School|work=Edmonton Journal|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/stuck-in-the-mud-parents-sound-off-on-dirty-grounds-outside-johnny-bright-school}}</ref> Dang has asked questions in Question Period of both the Education Minister<ref>{{Cite web|last=Dewar|first=Kim|date=December 5, 2017|title=Highlights from the legislature|url=https://www.teachers.ab.ca/News%20Room/ata%20news/Vol52/Number-8/Pages/Highlights-from-the-legislature.aspx|website=The Alberta Teachers Association}}</ref> and Infrastructure Minister<ref>{{Cite web|date=May 29, 2018|title=QP on P3 Schools|url=https://www.facebook.com/ThomasDangAB/videos/1713943195319748/|website=Facebook}}</ref> and received commitments from the Government to work on resolving the issue.
While in opposition as infrastructure critic, he pushed against Government plans to increase the use of P3 projects.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cautionary tales should steer government away from P3 projects, NDP says|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/cautionary-tales-should-steer-government-away-from-p3-projects-ndp-says|access-date=2021-01-26|website=edmontonjournal|language=en-CA}}</ref>
==== Earplug controversy ==== During a late-night sitting of the Alberta Legislature, Premier Jason Kenney handed out earplugs to members of the United Conservative Party caucus while Dang was speaking.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-06-21|title='Unbecoming of a premier': NDP calls out Kenney for handing out ear plugs during debate|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/article/unbecoming-of-a-premier-ndp-calls-out-kenney-for-handing-out-ear-plugs-during-debate/|access-date=2021-02-02|website=Edmonton|language=en}}</ref> While the Kenney's press secretary called the move "a harmless and light-hearted attempt to boost government caucus morale", the Alberta Federation of Labour deemed it "outrageous and insulting".<ref>{{Cite news|title=Alberta premier's earplug stunt called 'light-hearted' caucus morale-booster |language=en-US|work=CBC News|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/premier-jason-kenney-earplug-stunt-1.5183189|access-date=2021-02-02}}</ref>
=== Community advocacy ===
==== Racism and refugees ==== Throughout his political career, Dang has been an advocate on refugee and anti-racism issues. His parents were Chinese-Vietnamese refugees from Vietnam.<ref name="maki globe 2015" /> He has spoken out against racism in politics in the Legislature<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/ThomasDangAB/videos/1196201917093881/|title=Racism in Politics|website=Facebook}}</ref> and supported Vietnamese people who came to Alberta as refugees.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.assembly.ab.ca/Documents/isysquery/6c8f11cc-f15d-45cc-9d69-8fe26b3e2961/1/doc/|title=Alberta Hansard|date=April 30, 2018}}</ref> Dang has criticized Jason Kenney for comparing his own emigration from Saskatchewan to refugee Canadians.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/AlbertaNDP/posts/1536804016358924|title=Thomas Dang: Jason Kenney Making a Mockery of Refugee Experience|date=August 13, 2017|website=Facebook}}</ref>
On March 22, Dang introduced a motion calling on the UCP government to ban "racist symbols and insignia" in public spaces as well as at demonstrations "meant to terrorize and promote racism". However, Dang accused the UCP government of using a debate on rodeo to run out the clock to avoid debate on his motion.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Anti-racist motion stalled by rodeo discussion in Alberta legislature|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/anti-racist-motion-stalled-by-rodeo-discussion-in-alberta-legislature|access-date=2021-03-23|website=edmontonjournal|language=en-CA}}</ref> Rallies had occurred across Alberta where some protestors carried tiki torches, widely considered a symbol of white supremacy.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Edmonton police warned anti-lockdown rally's religious organizers against using tiki torches|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/crime/police-warned-anti-lockdown-rallys-religious-organizers-against-using-tiki-torches|access-date=2021-03-23|website=edmontonjournal|language=en-CA}}</ref> At least five Edmonton Muslim women and multiple Calgarians had been targeted in recent months.<ref>{{Cite web|title='We're better than that': Racist incidents denounced in Calgary - 660 NEWS|url=https://www.660citynews.com/2021/03/22/were-better-than-that-racist-incidents-denounced-in-calgary/|access-date=2021-03-23|website=www.660citynews.com|date=March 23, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title='Racism is a real problem': Muslim women fearful following attacks in Edmonton|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7671539/edmonton-muslim-women-attacked-somali-canadian/|access-date=2021-03-23|website=Global News|language=en-US}}</ref>
===== Parody account ===== Dang was also the subject of a racist parody account linking him to North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un which was followed by multiple high-ranking UCP government staffers including Matt Wolf, Premier Jason Kenney's Executive Director of Issues Management.<ref>{{Cite web|title='Obviously racist': UCP staffers followed Twitter account parodying NDP MLA|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/racist-twitter-ucp-ndp-mla-alberta|access-date=2021-04-16|website=edmontonjournal|language=en-CA}}</ref> Dang stated that it was disappointing that while UCP MLAs were voting for his anti-racism motion, so many UCP staffers would be enjoying this racist content. The parody account was suspended by Twitter as of April 14, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Amato|first=Sean|date=2021-04-15|title='Obviously racist': MLA Dang says UCP staffers followed anti-Asian parody account|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/article/obviously-racist-mla-dang-says-ucp-staffers-followed-anti-asian-parody-account/|access-date=2021-04-16|website=Edmonton|language=en}}</ref>
==== Youth and bullying ==== Dang put forward Motion 503 in his first session as an MLA, urging the Government to consult with school boards and youth to encourage student participation on boards. This was aimed at increasing dialogue and student engagement on democratic governance. The motion was passed unanimously with bi-partisan support in the assembly.<ref>{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Braeden |url=http://www.metronews.ca/news/edmonton/2015/11/04/alberta-gov-to-consult-with-school-boards-on-youth-trustees.html |title=Motion for student involvement on Alberta school boards passes |work=Metro News |location=Edmonton |date=2015-11-03 |access-date=2015-12-07 }}</ref> The motion read as follows:
<blockquote>Be it resolved that the Legislative Assembly urge the Government to consult with school boards and youth to encourage senior high school student participation on boards with a view to increasing dialogue, increasing student engagement in board policy and planning, and educating students about democratic governance.</blockquote>
Notice of Motion 507 was given on Day 2 of the second session on the order paper. This motion was aimed at ensuring that students and parents were ready to deal with all facets of bullying in an ever-evolving technological world. The notice of motion reads as follows:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.assembly.ab.ca/Documents/isysquery/61f711cc-a043-46b5-aa42-a6ed115cc16e/1/doc/ |title=29th Legislature Day 2 Order Paper |work=Alberta Hansard |publisher=Legislative Assembly of Alberta |date=2016-03-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311002744/http://www.assembly.ab.ca/Documents/isysquery/61f711cc-a043-46b5-aa42-a6ed115cc16e/1/doc/ |archive-date=March 11, 2016 |access-date=2016-03-10 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
<blockquote>Be it resolved that the Legislative Assembly urge the Government to take steps to increase awareness in Alberta's schools of the effects of cyberbullying.</blockquote>Motion 507 was passed unanimously with bi-partisan support in the assembly.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files%5Cdocs%5Chouserecords%5Cvp%5Clegislature_29%5Csession_2%5C20161031_1200_01_vp.pdf|title=Legislative Assembly House Records}}</ref>
==== Tourism week ==== In spring 2016, Dang tabled Bill 204, The Alberta Tourism Week Act. This bill would create a tourism week in legislation that would occur in the first week of June starting in 2017. The Bill has currently passed first and second reading in the Legislature.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=bills_status&selectbill=204&legl=29&session=2 |title= Bill 204: Alberta Tourism Week Act (Dang) |work=Legislative Assembly of Alberta |publisher=Legislative Assembly of Alberta |access-date=2016-05-16 }}</ref>
====Daylight saving time==== In late 2016, Dang announced that he planned to table a bill to abolish daylight saving time in Alberta. Dang said he had been working on this file since it had been brought up at an NDP policy convention. He has stated that he intends to lead a public consultation on the issue in advance of his bill in 2017. <ref name="cbc._Abou">{{Cite web | title = About time: Alberta's youngest MLA to table bill aimed at ending daylight saving time | author = Stephanie Wiebe | work = CBC News | date = 16 December 2016 | access-date = 2017-01-13 | url = http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-daylight-saving-time-bill-abolish-1.3901292 }}</ref> <ref name="metr_NDPM">{{Cite web | title = NDP MLA Thomas Dang to table bill abolishing daylight savings[sic] time {{!}} Metro Calgary | author = Josie Lukey | work = metronews.ca | date = 15 December 2016 | access-date = 2017-01-13 | url = http://www.metronews.ca/news/calgary/2016/12/15/ndp-mla-thomas-dang-table-bill-abolis-daylight-savings-time.html }}</ref> <ref name="glob_Getr">{{Cite web | title = Get rid of daylight saving time switch? Alberta MLA pushing for referendum | last = Johnston | first = Scott | work = Global News | date = 15 December 2016 | access-date = 2017-01-13 | url = http://globalnews.ca/news/3129293/alberta-daylight-saving-time/ }}</ref>
On February 13, 2017, Dang announced an online consultation process that would take place until the end of February. He received widespread support from young families and members of the agricultural industry. Egg farmers have cheered the proposal, because the time change “plays havoc with the natural rhythm of poultry.” Dang also announced that he hoped to have a bill ready to be tabled in mid-March.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/edmonton-mla-asks-for-input-into-plan-to-scrap-daylight-savings-time|title=Edmonton MLA asks for input into plan to scrap daylight savings[sic] time|date=2017-02-14|newspaper=Edmonton Journal|access-date=2017-02-14|language=en-US}}</ref>
Dang tabled Bill 203, the Alberta Standard Time Act on March 14, 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/ndp-private-members-bill-calls-for-alberta-standard-time-no-more-clock-changes|title=NDP private member's bill calls for Alberta standard time, no more clock changes|last=Thomson|first=Stuart|work=Edmonton Journal}}</ref> The bill would set the Alberta Standard Time to UTC−6. This was done after his online consultation showed that 82% of respondents prefer not changing their clocks twice a year, and 59% of respondents prefer to have daylight in the late afternoon.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.metronews.ca/news/calgary/2017/03/13/alberta-to-stay-on-daylight-saving-time-year-round-ndp.html|title=Bill to keep Alberta on daylight saving time year-round coming: MLA|last=Thomas|first=Brodie|work=Metro News}}</ref>
In October 2017, the Alberta Legislature voted against Dang's bill to abolish the time change. This was due in part to pressure from industry groups such as the Oilers Entertainment Group and WestJet. The industries were concerned about the consequences of moving off time change while other jurisdictions continued to.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/edmonton-oilers/terry-jones-edmonton-oilers-concerned-about-alberta-standard-time|title=Terry Jones: Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames concerned about Alberta Standard Time|date=2017-03-17|work=Edmonton Journal|access-date=2018-11-18|language=en-US}}</ref> Dang said that despite the vote he would like to continue the conversation and would support moving forward if other jurisdictions such as British Columbia and other parts of North America abolished time change as well.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/3833827/alberta-government-officially-scraps-bill-that-would-get-rid-of-daylight-saving-time/|title=Alberta government officially scraps bill that would get rid of Daylight Saving Time|work=Global News|access-date=2018-11-18|language=en}}</ref>
=== COVID-19 === Dang has been an advocate throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta for more support for small businesses and families.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Alberta to bring in commercial eviction ban, grants to help businesses get restarted |language=en-US|work=CBC News|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-new-supports-for-small-business-covid-19-1.5600007|access-date=2021-01-26}}</ref>
In October 2021, Dang called on Premier Jason Kenney to make vaccinations mandatory for all United Conservative MLAs and to remove any members who were unvaccinated from his caucus.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kindleman|first=Tricia|date=2021-10-01|title=Medical experts and Alberta NDP say vaccine policy for public servants misses target|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/medical-experts-and-alberta-ndp-say-vaccine-policy-for-public-servants-misses-target-1.6195953|website=CBC News}}</ref> Dang stated that it is imperative political leaders set the right example and get vaccinated.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Alberta Opposition urges Premier Jason Kenney to make sure all caucus members are vaccinated {{!}} Globalnews.ca|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/8236547/alberta-opposition-urges-covid-19-vaccination-for-caucus/|access-date=2021-10-01|website=Global News|language=en-US}}</ref> He introduced a motion that was ultimately unsuccessful in requiring proof of vaccination.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lachacz|first=Adam|date=2021-10-18|title=NDP attempt to ensure Alberta MLAs are vaccinated quashed at committee|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/article/ndp-attempt-to-ensure-alberta-mlas-are-vaccinated-quashed-at-committee/|access-date=2021-10-19|website=CTV News|language=en}}</ref>
=== Resignation from NDP caucus and vaccine information hack === On December 21, 2021, Dang resigned from the Alberta NDP caucus after an RCMP search of his home. According to Notley, Dang offered his resignation as part of a "long-standing policy that members under active police investigation will not sit in the caucus".<ref name=":3" /> Dang responded to the search, saying it was related to "the vulnerabilities with the COVID-19 vaccination records on the Government of Alberta website", which he had investigated and disclosed to Alberta Health.<ref name=":3" /> The Alberta government website had been released in September 2021, and allowed Alberta residents to access their COVID-19 vaccination information by entering their health card number, birthday and month they were vaccinated.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Dang claims he hacked Alberta vaccine passport system using Kenney's birthday to highlight flaws |url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/dang |access-date=2022-03-22 |website=edmontonjournal |language=en-CA}}</ref>
In March 2022, Dang admitted to hacking the system, saying he had done so to highlight security vulnerabilities and pass on the information to the government.<ref name=":4" /> He described the hack as "well within the skill set of an amateur."<ref name=":4" /> In a white paper released on his website, Dang detailed his process, which first involved a fuzzing test.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Dang |first=Thomas |date=March 22, 2022 |title=How I Did It: An Investigation into the Security of the Government of Alberta's Vaccine Record Website |url=https://thomasdang.ca/how-i-did-it.pdf |access-date=March 22, 2022}}</ref> Dang then bypassed an IP address block by using a script that connected to the Tor network, which anonymized his connection.<ref name=":5" /> He then set out to test the vulnerability by entering Alberta premier Jason Kenney's birthdate and date of vaccination, which Dang later defended by saying the information was publicly available.<ref name=":4" /> His script was then able to guess a random health card number and retrieve a record belonging to an unknown individual.<ref name=":4" /> According to Dang, he then "immediately exited the website and did not save any information".<ref name=":4" /> After the hack, Dang contacted the NDP caucus, and the information was passed onto Alberta Health, with the vulnerability being fixed within weeks.<ref name=":4" /> Dang and the NDP's actions were criticized by UCP MLA and government whip Brad Rutherford, who said the party's "first instinct was to protect him, instead of being forthright with Albertans".<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Johnston |first=Janice |date=2022-07-14 |title=Court documents allege MLA conducted 'brute force attack' on Alberta vaccine records site |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/court-documents-allege-mla-conducted-brute-force-attack-on-alberta-vaccine-records-site-1.6520023 |work=CBC News |access-date=2022-07-15}}</ref>
In his white paper, Dang also criticized the Alberta government's lack of "basic" cybersecurity measures and called for the creation of an office dedicated to cyberdefence, along with a vulnerability disclosure program that encourages and rewards security researchers.<ref name=":5" /> The paper was later removed from his website.<ref name=":6" />
In June 2022, the Alberta RCMP Cybercrime Investigative Team announced that Dang was charged with "illegally attempting to access private information contained in the Alberta Health vaccine portal" under the Alberta Health Information Act, a non-criminal charge that could result in a fine of up to $200,000.<ref>{{Cite web |last=The Canadian Press |date=2022-06-24 |title=Alberta MLA Thomas Dang charged with Health Information Act breach, could face $200K fine |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-mla-thomas-dang-charged-with-health-information-act-breach-could-face-200k-fine-1.6500955 |work=CBC News |access-date=2022-07-15}}</ref> Unsealed court documents later showed that the RCMP were pursuing criminal charges against Dang at least until March 31, but later decided to charge him under the Health Information Act.<ref name=":6" /> The documents also said that the Alberta vaccine information portal received 1.78 million requests using Kenney's birthdate shortly after its launch, which it characterized as a "brute force attack" from Dang.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Derworiz |first=Colette |date=July 14, 2022 |title=Court documents detail RCMP hacking investigation into Alberta politician Thomas Dang |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/8991356/court-documents-hacking-probe-dang-alberta/ |access-date=2022-07-15 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}</ref>
On November 4, 2022, Dang pleaded guilty to a Health Information Act charge of illegally attempting to access private information. On November 29, he was ordered to pay a fine of $7,200.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-11-29 |title=Alberta MLA Thomas Dang sentenced for hacking COVID-19 vaccine records portal |language=en-CA |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alberta/article-alberta-mla-thomas-dang-sentenced-for-hacking-covid-19-vaccine-records/ |access-date=2022-11-30}}</ref>
==== Response ==== Dang's decision to act alone also received criticism from NAIT cybersecurity chair John Zabiuk, who said that his actions were not consistent with those of an ethical hacker.<ref name=":6" /> However, other information security professionals like Brad Haines (better known as Renderman), have said that Dang's calls for improved cybersecurity oversight should be heard and that the RCMP response will likely have a chilling effect on ethical hackers.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Haines |first=Brad |date=2022-07-30 |title=Opinion: If Albertans see a cybersecurity risk, they should be able to say something |url=https://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-if-albertans-see-a-cybersecurity-risk-they-should-be-able-to-say-something |access-date=2022-11-25 |website=edmontonjournal |language=en-CA}}</ref> The methodology Dang used has been described as "common practice in the private sector" and experts have suggested Alberta should implement a bug bounty program without "[turning] a person's life upside down because he decided to become a whistleblower."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Snowdon |first=Wallis |date=2022-03-25 |title=Experts call for better IT security after MLA admits he hacked Alberta vaccine records website |work=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/thomas-dang-hack-breach-cybersecurity-alberta-1.6396428 |access-date=2022-03-25}}</ref> Haines commented that he hoped "[we] will learn to thank someone like [Dang] rather than condemn him."<ref name=":10" />
In June 2021, the Government of Alberta released their first annual cybersecurity update.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Government of Alberta cybersecurity strategy : annual update - Open Government |url=https://open.alberta.ca/publications/goa-cybersecurity-strategy-protecting-provinces-digital-assets-annual-update |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125161204/https://open.alberta.ca/publications/goa-cybersecurity-strategy-protecting-provinces-digital-assets-annual-update |archive-date=2022-11-25 |access-date=2022-11-25 |website=open.alberta.ca}}</ref> This led to the "CyberAlberta" initiative which included a new public vulnerability disclosure program.<ref name=":7" />
== Post-political career == thumb|Dang's talk at DEF CON 31, titled " The Risks of Pointing Out the Emperor is Buck Naked" After leaving politics, Dang became an Information Security Architect for the Government of Yukon.<ref name=":12" />
In August 2023, Dang and Haines gave a talk at the DEF CON 31 hacker convention in Las Vegas. His presentation included advocacy on improving vulnerability disclosure programs in governments and other public sector organizations.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |last1=Haines |first1=Brad |last2=Dang |first2=Thomas |date=2023-10-23 |title=Damned If You Do: The risks of pointing out the emperor is buck naked |url=https://media.defcon.org/DEF%20CON%2031/DEF%20CON%2031%20presentations/Renderman%20Thomas%20Dang%20-%20Damned%20if%20you%20do%20-%20The%20risks%20of%20pointing%20out%20the%20emperor%20is%20buck%20naked.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023135631/https://media.defcon.org/DEF%20CON%2031/DEF%20CON%2031%20presentations/Renderman%20Thomas%20Dang%20-%20Damned%20if%20you%20do%20-%20The%20risks%20of%20pointing%20out%20the%20emperor%20is%20buck%20naked.pdf |archive-date=2023-10-23 |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=DEF CON}}</ref>
Dang has also spoken at Security BSides events regarding his expertise and experience in Cyber Security and Network security.<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":13" />
== Personal life == Dang played competitive table tennis as a junior for many years, competing across Canada and in the United States of America.{{Citation needed|date=November 2015}} He was a member of the Edmonton Table Tennis Club.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ettcblog.wordpress.com/2015/05/08/ettc-member-thomas-dang-elected-to-alberta-government/ |title=ETTC Member Thomas Dang Elected To Alberta Government |work=ETTC Blog |date=2015-05-08 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126033425/https://ettcblog.wordpress.com/2015/05/08/ettc-member-thomas-dang-elected-to-alberta-government/ |archive-date=2015-11-26 |access-date=2015-11-26 }}</ref>
He also enjoys playing Ingress, an alternate reality game that involves physically going to different locations as part of the gameplay, with Dang stating that his earlier game-related travels to different parts of Alberta have been helpful since becoming an MLA in the province.<ref name="A-secret-war-rages-on-20151121">{{cite news |last=Neuman |first=Doug |url=https://www.stalbertgazette.com/local-news/a-secret-war-rages-on-1290510 |title=A secret war rages on |work=St. Albert Gazette |date=November 20, 2015 |access-date=March 24, 2024 }}</ref>
==Electoral history==
===2019 general election=== {{Alberta provincial election, 2019/Edmonton-South}}
===2015 general election=== {{Alberta provincial election, 2015/Edmonton-South West}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dang, Thomas}} Category:1995 births Category:21st-century members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta Category:Alberta New Democratic Party MLAs Category:Canadian people of Chinese descent Category:Living people Category:Politicians from Edmonton Category:University of Alberta alumni Category:Delta Upsilon members