Lee is a Malaysian-Chinese Canadian who was elected to Toronto City Council in the November 2006 civic elections to Ward 41 - Scarborough-Rouge River. He replaces former councillor and current MPP Bas Balkissoon. Lee is also a member of the Scarborough Community Council.

He is one of several Chinese Canadians elected to city council in Toronto and one of two Asians elected to council (the other is Raymond Cho).