Thomas Dang

Thomas Dang, born on April 7, 1995, is a notable figure in Canadian politics, having made history as the youngest Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) ever elected in Alberta. He first entered the political arena during the 2015 Alberta general election, representing the electoral district of Edmonton-South West as a member of the Alberta New Democratic Party (NDP). His tenure marked a significant milestone as he was part of the first NDP Government Caucus in the province's history.

During his initial term, Dang was a passionate advocate for essential community services, successfully pushing for the establishment of a new high school and hospital in his district. His commitment to education reform and public welfare was evident through various motions he introduced, including proposals aimed at revising daylight saving time in Alberta.

In April 2019, Dang was re-elected to the Legislative Assembly, this time representing the newly defined electoral district of Edmonton-South. He secured his position by narrowly defeating the United Conservative Party candidate, Tunde Obasan. However, his political journey took a dramatic turn on December 21, 2021, when he resigned from the NDP caucus following an RCMP search of his home, which was linked to a hack of the Alberta government vaccine information website. Dang claimed his actions were intended to expose security vulnerabilities, leading to the introduction of a public vulnerability disclosure program for cybersecurity in Alberta.

After facing legal consequences for his actions, including a guilty plea and a fine of seven thousand two hundred dollars in November 2022, Dang transitioned to a new role as the Information Security Architect for the Government of Yukon. He has since become a sought-after speaker at various cybersecurity conferences, sharing insights from his unique experiences. As of 2024, he serves as the Authorized Financial Agent for the Yukon New Democratic Party, continuing his commitment to public service and advocacy.