# Tako van Popta

Tako J. van Popta MP (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, and was re-elected in 2021.

## Background

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.

## Political career
### 43rd Canadian Parliament (2019-2021)

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.

### 44th Canadian Parliament (2021-present)

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 Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

## Electoral record

vte2021 Canadian federal election: Langley—Aldergrove :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures |
| | Conservative | Tako van Popta | 28,643 | 45.7 | -1.3 | $60,626.81 |
| | Liberal | Kim Richter | 16,565 | 26.4 | +0.8 | $81,572.98 |
| | New Democratic | Michael Chang | 12,288 | 19.6 | +2.7 | $46,572.61 |
| | People's | Rayna Boychuk | 3,341 | 5.3 | +3.2 | $5,255.86 |
| | Green | Kaija Farstad | 1,798 | 2.9 | -4.8 | $535.00 |
| Total valid votes/Expense limit | Total valid votes/Expense limit | Total valid votes/Expense limit | 62,635 | 99.5 | – | $124,019.67 |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | 312 | 0.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 62,947 | 65.0 |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 96,828 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | Swing | -1.1 |
| Source: Elections Canada |||||||
vte2019 Canadian federal election: Langley—Aldergrove :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures |
| | Conservative | Tako van Popta | 29,823 | 47.00 | +1.37 | $59,992.85 |
| | Liberal | Leon Jensen | 16,254 | 25.62 | -10.94 | $23,481.19 |
| | New Democratic | Stacey Wakelin | 10,690 | 16.85 | +4.34 | none listed |
| | Green | Kaija Farstad | 4,881 | 7.69 | +3.28 | none listed |
| | People's | Natalie Dipietra-Cudmore | 1,305 | 2.06 | - | none listed |
| | Libertarian | Alex Joehl | 499 | 0.79 | -0.11 | $549.66 |
| Total valid votes/expense limit | Total valid votes/expense limit | Total valid votes/expense limit | 63,452 | 99.42 |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | 373 | 0.58 | +0.24 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 63,825 | 68.26 | -4.09 |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 93,499 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | Swing | +6.15 |
| Source: Elections Canada |||||||