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| Original News Release |
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| Original News Release |
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HON. GORDON CAMPBELL Premier
Gordon Campbell was sworn in as British Columbia's 34th Premier on June 5, 2001.
Mr. Campbell was elected leader of the B.C. Liberal Party in September 1993. He was elected to the B.C. Legislature in 1994 in a by-election to represent the riding of Vancouver-Quilchena and was re-elected in 1996 and 2001 for Vancouver-Point Grey.
Mr. Campbell attended public school in Vancouver. After graduating he received a scholarship to Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. He worked his way through university in the dining hall and as the associate to the secretary of the college, and received his bachelor of arts degree. He later received a master's of business administration from Simon Fraser University.
He was a secondary school teacher, basketball and track coach in Yola, Nigeria, working under the auspices of CUSO. He then became an assistant to former Vancouver mayor Art Phillips. From 1976 to 1981, he worked with Marathon Realty, where he became general manager of development. In 1981, he founded Citycore Development Corporation.
In 1984, Mr. Campbell was elected to Vancouver City Council. From 1986 to 1993, he served as Mayor of Vancouver for three successive terms.
Mr. Campbell and his wife Nancy, a school vice-principal, have two sons.
HON. SINDI HAWKINS Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations
Sindi Hawkins was appointed Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations on Jan. 26, 2004. She previously served as Minister of Health Planning.
Ms. Hawkins also served as Official Opposition critic for health, and for employment and investment. She sat on the Select Standing Committees on Health and Social Services, and on Women's Equality. She also sat on the Official Opposition Caucus Committee on Health.
She was first elected in 1996 to represent the riding of Okanagan West. She was re-elected in 2001 in the new riding of Kelowna-Mission.
Before her election to the Legislative Assembly, Ms. Hawkins worked as a registered nurse in general duty, intensive care, management, education and consulting. She set up her own company as a lawyer with an interest in medical-legal issues. She received both her bachelor of nursing and her bachelor of law degrees from the University of Calgary. Ms. Hawkins has a post-graduate certificate in neuroscience nursing from the Montreal Neurological Hospital. She was recognized as one of the first nurses in Canada to be certified in neuroscience nursing by the Canadian Nurses Association.
Ms. Hawkins has been involved in preventing elder abuse, served on an anti-racism committee and worked with a non-profit society to aid visible minority and immigrant women. She has been involved with and has supported numerous charitable and non-profit fundraising events in her community.
Ms. Hawkins lives in Kelowna.
HON. SHIRLEY BONDMinister of Advanced Education
Shirley Bond was appointed Minister of Advanced Education on June 5, 2001.
Ms. Bond was elected in 2001 to represent the riding of Prince George-Mount Robson.
Before her election to the Legislative Assembly, she served three terms on the Prince George School Board, the last as chair. She also worked with the continuing education department of the Prince George School District, becoming its business manager. She was given the B.C. Interior, North & Yukon Woman of Distinction Award for her work in public education.
Ms. Bond has an arts and science diploma from the College of New Caledonia and is enrolled at the University of Northern B.C., where she is completing a bachelor of arts in political science.
She was protocol director for the 2001 Special Olympic Summer Games and sat on the boards of Carey Theological College, the Personal Living Choices Society, the Trinity Opportunity Fund Grants Committee and the City of Prince George's Standing Committee on Youth.
Shirley and Bill Bond live in Prince George. They have twin adult children.
HON. JOHN van DONGEN Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries
John van Dongen was appointed Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries on June 5, 2001.
Mr. van Dongen previously served as agriculture and fisheries critic for the Official Opposition. He sat on the Select Standing Committees on Agriculture and Fisheries and on Crown Corporations, as well as the Official Opposition Caucus Committee on Children.
He was first elected in 1995 in a by-election to represent the riding of Abbotsford and was re-elected in 1996. He was elected to the Abbotsford-Clayburn riding in 2001.
Before his election to the Legislative Assembly, Mr. van Dongen operated a dairy farm in Abbotsford. He studied agricultural economics at the University of British Columbia.
Mr. van Dongen was involved in farm organizations and businesses for almost two decades. He was on the board of directors of the B.C. Dairy Foundation, Agrifoods International Co-operative (Dairyland) and the B.C. Federation of Dairymen's Association and was a member of the Federal Farm Debt Review Board.
He was also chair of the building and finance committee of St. Joseph's Church in Mission.
John van Dongen is married, lives in Abbotsford and has two children.
HON. GEOFF PLANT Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Treaty Negotiations
Geoff Plant was appointed Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Treaty Negotiations on June 5, 2001.
Mr. Plant previously served as critic for the Attorney General Ministry and for intergovernmental relations as a member of the Official Opposition, and as Caucus Whip. He sat on the Select Standing Committees on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills, and on Justice, Constitutional Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations. He also sat on the Official Opposition Caucus Committee on Crime.
He was first elected in 1996 to represent the electoral district of Richmond-Steveston and was re-elected in 2001.
Before his election to the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Plant was a lawyer and also lectured and wrote extensively on aboriginal and education law.
He was raised in Vancouver and received his bachelor of arts degree from Harvard, and law degrees from the universities of Dalhousie in Nova Scotia and Southampton and Cambridge in England. He was called to the bar in 1982.
Mr. Plant has served as a director and president of the Richmond Community Music School and as council chair of his home church, Gilmore Park United.
Mr. Plant, his wife and two children live in Richmond.
HON. CHRISTY CLARK Minister of Children and Family Development
Christy Clark was appointed Minister of Children and Family Development on Jan. 26, 2004. She previously served as Minister of Education.
Ms. Clark also served as Official Opposition critic for environment, for children and families and for public service. She sat on the Select Standing Committee on Environment and Tourism and on the Official Opposition Caucus Committee for Children.
She was first elected in 1996 to represent the electoral district of Port Moody-Burnaby Mountain. She was re-elected in 2001 in the new riding of Port Moody-Westwood.
Ms. Clark is a former researcher in the B.C. Legislature. She attended Simon Fraser University, the University of Edinburgh and Université de la Sorbonne. While a student at SFU she was elected president and vice-president (internal) of the Simon Fraser University Student Society. She has been involved in B.C. politics for most of her life.
She and her husband Mark Marissen have a son, Hamish, and live in Port Moody.
HON. LINDA REID Minister of State for Early Childhood Development
Linda Reid was appointed Minister of State for Early Childhood Development on June 5, 2001.
Ms. Reid previously served in a variety of critic roles for the Official Opposition, including children and families, health, attorney general, municipal affairs, and science, technology and research.
She sat on the Select Standing Committees on Transportation, Municipal Affairs and Housing; on Health and Social Services; and on Economic Development, Science, Labour, Training and Technology; and on Crown Corporations.
She was first elected in 1991 to represent the riding of Richmond East and was re-elected in 1996 and 2001.
Before her election to the Legislative Assembly, Ms. Reid worked as a language therapist, teacher and school administrator for the Richmond School District.
She graduated from the University of British Columbia with an education degree and earned a master of arts from UBC specializing in education, exceptional learners, language acquisition and public administration.
Ms. Reid was the B.C. chair for the Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind and a director of the Garden City Hospice Society. She has been active in the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, the Asia-Pacific Business Association, the Canadian Council for Exceptional Children and the Family Court Committee of Richmond. She was a founding member of the Richmond Chinatown Lions Club and was chair of the British Columbia Youth Parliament board from 1986 to 1991.
Linda and her husband Sheldon live in Richmond and have one daughter, Olivia.
MURRAY COELL Minister of Community, Aboriginal and Women’s Services
Murray Coell was appointed Minister of Community, Aboriginal and Women’s Services on Jan. 26, 2004. He previously served as Minister of Human Resources.
Mr. Coell also served as Official Opposition critic for environment, for children and families, and for social services. He sat on the Select Standing Committees on Public Accounts, and on Environment and Tourism, as well as the Official Opposition Caucus Committee for Children.
He was first elected in 1996 to represent the riding of Saanich North and the Islands and was re-elected in 2001.
Before his election to the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Coell was a social worker, specializing in alcohol and drug rehabilitation as well as in services to those with mental disabilities. He also owned and operated a small business.
He received his bachelor of arts in social welfare from the University of Victoria.
Mr. Coell sat on Saanich Municipal Council for 12 years, six of them as mayor. He also chaired the Capital Regional District, the Saanich Police board and the Capital Regional District hospital board, and was deputy chair of the Municipal Finance Authority.
He served as a volunteer for 10 years on the board of Silver Threads Meals on Wheels and for five years on the board of the Queen Alexandra Hospital for Children.
Murray and Corinne Coell live in Central Saanich.
HON. GULZAR CHEEMA Minister of State for Immigration and Multicultural Services
Gulzar Cheema was appointed Minister of State for Immigration and Multicultural Services on Jan. 26, 2004. He previously served as Minister of State for Mental Health.
Dr. Cheema was elected in 2001 to represent the riding of Surrey-Panorama Ridge. He was also a member of the Legislative Assembly in Manitoba for five years and served as critic for health, labour, housing, native affairs, sport and co-operatives, and consumer and corporate affairs.
Before his election to the British Columbia Legislative Assembly, Dr. Cheema was a family doctor in Surrey. He has practised medicine in rural Manitoba and in Winnipeg, and was a clinical instructor in the Punjab before coming to Canada in 1979. His special interests include neonatology, psychiatry, psycho-geriatrics and geriatrics.
He received his bachelor of medicine and surgery from India's Punjab University, interned at the University of Newfoundland and was a resident at Saskatoon's University Hospital. He is fluent in Punjabi and Hindi, and understands Urdu.
Dr. Cheema was a member of the Surrey Chamber of Commerce and the Vancouver Television Community Council, and was vice-chair of the Rainbow Community Health Co-operative. He chaired the medical section of the 1998 B.C. Games for Athletes with Disabilities. In 1992 he was awarded the Canada 125 Medal for community service.
Gulzar and Harinder Cheema have lived in the Surrey area since 1993; they have two children.
HON. IDA CHONGMinister of State for Women’s and Seniors’ Services
Ida Chong was appointed Minister of State for Women’s and Seniors’ Services on Jan. 26, 2004.
Ms. Chong was first elected in 1996 in the riding of Oak Bay-Gordon Head, and was re-elected in 2001.
She served as the Official Opposition critic for small business, tourism and culture, the deputy critic of finance, the deputy critic for women's equality and chair of the Official Opposition Committee on the Economy.
Since the 2001 election, Ms. Chong has served on Treasury Board, and as chair of the Government Caucus Committee on Economy and Government Operations. She has also been a member of the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts, the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services, and the Special Committee on the Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform.
Ms. Chong first entered political life as a municipal councillor for the District of Saanich in 1993 after having volunteered for several not-for-profit groups.
Ms. Chong has won several awards for her work as a Certified General Accountant, including the J.M. MacBeth Award for service at a chapter level, and the Harold Clarke Award for service on a provincial committee. More recently in 1999, she was awarded the CGA Community Service Award.
Ida Chong is a native of Victoria and was raised in Gordon Head.
HON. TOM CHRISTENSENMinister of Education
Tom Christensen was appointed Minister of Education on Jan. 26, 2004.
Mr. Christensen was elected to represent the riding of Okanagan-Vernon in 2001.
He has served as Chair of the Government Caucus Committee on Education and as a member of the Legislative Review Committee, as well as the Select Standing Committees on Education; Aboriginal Affairs; Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills; and Legislative Initiatives.
Mr. Christensen graduated from the University of Victoria with a Law degree in 1994, and was called to the B.C. bar in May 1995. Prior to entering politics, he practiced law at Davidson & Company, and was a partner in the firm from 1999 to 2001.
Born and raised in Vernon, Mr. Christensen has been involved in a number of community organizations, having held such positions as president of the Downtown Vernon Association, director of the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation and chairperson of the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundations Annual Light-a-Bulb Fundraising Campaign.
Mr. Christensen is married and has two children, ages 2 and 5.
HON. RICHARD NEUFELDMinister of Energy and Mines
Richard Neufeld was appointed Minister of Energy and Mines on June 5, 2001.
Mr. Neufeld previously served as energy, mines and northern development critic for the Official Opposition. He sat on the Select Standing Committees on Forests, Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, and on Agriculture and Fisheries. He also sat on the Official Opposition Caucus Committee on Transportation.
He was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1991 to represent the riding of Peace River North and was re-elected in 1996 and 2001.
Before entering provincial politics, Mr. Neufeld owned and operated a business in Fort Nelson. He has been involved in the oil and gas industry most of his life.
He served on Fort Nelson council from 1978 to 1986, for five of those years as mayor. He has been involved with the Fort Nelson and Fort St. John Chambers of Commerce and Rotary Clubs.
Richard and his wife Montana live in Fort St. John and have four grown children.
HON. PAT BELLMinister of State for Mining
Pat Bell was appointed Minister of State for Mining on Jan. 26, 2004.
Mr. Bell was elected to represent the riding of Prince George North in the 2001 election.
He has served on the Government Caucus Committee on Natural Resources and B.C. Task Force on Mining, and as chair of the Small Scale Salvage Review Committee. Mr. Bell has also served on the Legislative Select Standing Committees on Education and Crown Corporations.
Prior to becoming an MLA, Mr. Bell owned a trucking company and co-owned a logging company. He owns two Wendy’s Restaurants in Prince George.
Committed to youth sport, Mr. Bell chaired the junior golf program at the Prince George Golf and Curling Club from 1993 to 1997. He also coached high school volleyball and supported the Prince George Barracuda Swim Club. Mr. Bell served for several years on the Tourism Prince George Board of Directors.
Born in Vancouver and educated at the University of British Columbia, Mr. Bell has lived in Prince George since 1988. He and his wife Brenda have three children.
HON. GARY COLLINSMinister of Finance
Gary Collins was appointed Minister of Finance on June 5, 2001. He also serves as Government House Leader.
Accountability in the management of tax dollars has been achieved through the introduction of legislation that requires the government to balance its budget in 2004/05 and each year thereafter. Mr. Collins has also played a lead role in the development of a three-year economic and fiscal plan to achieve government's 2004/05 balanced budget commitment as well as the three-year ministry and crown corporation service plans.
Mr. Collins also introduced the Budget Transparency and Accountability Act to ensure full, accurate and honest reporting on the province's finances, and established a fixed date for tabling the provincial budget and various financial reports produced throughout the year.
Before the May 2001 election, Mr. Collins served as Official Opposition House Leader and held a variety of critic roles. He has been an MLA since 1991.
Previously, Mr. Collins taught in the aviation diploma program and was a flight instructor at the University College of the Fraser Valley. He studied economics and political science at Simon Fraser University.
Gary Collins, his wife Wendy and their son Thomas live in Vancouver.
HON. MICHAEL de JONGMinister of Forests
Michael de Jong was appointed Minister of Forests on June 5, 2001.
He previously served as deputy house leader for the Official Opposition and as critic for a variety of portfolios.
Since his ministerial appointment, Mr. de Jong has initiated forest policy changes designed to revitalize British Columbia’s forest sector while maintaining resource sustainability.
He was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in a 1994 byelection to represent the electoral district of Matsqui. He was re-elected in 1996 and again in 2001 to the new riding of Abbotsford-Mount Lehman.
Before his election, Mr. de Jong practised as a lawyer in his Abbotsford firm. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from Carleton University in Ottawa and a law degree from the University of Alberta.
HON. ROGER HARRISMinister of State for Forestry Operations
Roger Harris was appointed Minister of State for Forestry Operations on Jan. 26, 2004.
Mr. Harris was elected in 2001 to represent the riding of Skeena.
He has served as vice chair of the Legislative Assembly’s Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, and on the Select Standing Committee on Health, Special Committee to Appoint a Merit Commissioner, the Treasury Board, and the Government Caucus Committee on Health. Previously, he served on the Government Caucus Committee on Natural Resources
Before being elected to the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Harris was an employee of MacMillan Bloedel. From 1972 through to 1979, he worked in most of the operational positions within the industry. During this same period, he also served as a board member for Local 1-71 of the IWA, representing the Queen Charlotte Islands and the coast region as far south as Bella Coola. In 1980, Mr. Harris moved to Port McNeil as MacMillan Bloedel’s employee relations supervisor and took on the same duties for the North Island. In 1981, he returned to the Queen Charlottes to take on the responsibilities of contract supervisor for MacMillan Bloedel’s Sandspit operations at Alfred Bay and Louise Islands.
In 1985, he left Macmillan Bloedel and established his own phase logging contract business operation out of the Queen Charlottes. As this operation prospered, Roger also started a fuel distribution business. Mr. Harris moved to Terrace in 1990 and has since owned and operated a number of small businesses in the Terrace and Kitimat areas.
HON. COLIN HANSEN Minister of Health Services
Colin Hansen was appointed Minister of Health Services on June 5, 2001.
Mr. Hansen previously served as health critic for the Official Opposition, as well as the critic for employment and investment, and for labour. He sat on the Select Standing Committees on Crown Corporations and on Economic Development, Science, Labour, Training and Technology.
He also sat on the Official Opposition Caucus Committees on Health and Economy.
He was first elected in 1996 to represent the electoral district of Vancouver-Quilchena and was re-elected in 2001.
He received his bachelor of arts in political science from the University of Victoria in 1975.
Before his election to the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Hansen and his wife Laura owned and operated a small business they established in 1988. Prior to that he was vice-president of finance and administration for the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.
Mr. Hansen served as a director of the Vancouver-Yokohama Sister City Society and chair of the Vancouver Museum board of trustees.
Colin and Laura Hansen have two children and live in the Dunbar area of Vancouver-Quilchena.
HON. SUSAN BRICEMinister of State for Mental Health and Addiction Services
Susan Brice was appointed Minister of State for Mental Health and Addiction Services on Jan. 26, 2004.
Ms. Brice was elected in 2001 to represent the riding of Saanich South. She has served as the chair of the Legislative Select Standing Committee on Health, and as a member of the Government Caucus Committee on Education and the Legislative Select Standing Committee on Crown Corporations. She has also been a member of the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Review and served as the chair of the Government Caucus Committee on Health.
Previously, Ms. Brice served as the executive director of the Better Business Bureau of Vancouver Island, a position she held from 1993 until her election as MLA. She also taught elementary school in Esquimalt and throughout the Greater Victoria school district, and organized and coached competitive team sports.
A Greater Victoria School Board trustee from 1975 to 1980, Ms. Brice chaired the Board from 1978 to 1979. She was elected a Municipality of Oak Bay councillor in 1980 and Mayor in 1985. A Capital Regional District director from 1985 to 1990, she chaired the 19-member CRD board from 1988 to 1989.
Ms. Brice has served as Pacific Sport National Training Centre (Victoria) chair; Victoria Airport Authority director; Justice Reform Commission member; British Columbia Police Commission member; Greater Victoria Hospital Society director; Greater Victoria Labour Relations Association chair; and Intercultural Association of Greater Victoria honourary patron. She also served as a volunteer for the Cridge Centre for the Family and Juan de Fuca Hospital Foundation volunteer and honourary director. Susan was born in Victoria. Married to George since 1965, they have two grown sons and one grandson.
HON. STAN HAGEN Minister of Human Resources
Stan Hagen was appointed Minister of Human resources on Jan. 26, 2004. He previously served as Minister of Sustainable Resource Management.
He was first elected in 1986 to represent the riding of Comox and was elected in 2001 in the riding of Comox Valley.
Mr. Hagen previously served as Minister of Advanced Education, Job Training, Science and Technology, Minister of Regional and Economic Development, Minister of Education and as Minister of State for the Vancouver Island/Coast Region. He was a member of six cabinet committees and chaired the Canadian Council of Ministers of Education. Mr. Hagen was instrumental in the creation of Science World and also introduced the Scientists in the Classroom and Passport to Education programs.
Mr. Hagen moved to the Comox Valley in 1968, where he worked in the construction industry and later started an independent ready-mix company. Before his re-election to the Legislative Assembly in 2001, he was general manager of a local paving company.
He has an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Simon Fraser University.
Mr. Hagen was West Coast regional chair of the Modified Industry Labour Adjustment Program, a salmon enhancement and job program. He was also a member of the Comox Strathcona Regional District Economic Development Commission, treasurer of the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce and founding president of the Comox Valley Community Foundation. He also served as a Comox Valley school trustee from 1972 to 1978.
Stan and Judy Hagen live in Courtenay and have five children.
HON. JOYCE MURRAY Minister of Management Services
Joyce Murray was appointed Minister of Management Services on Jan. 26, 2004. She previously served as Minister of Water, Land and Air Protection.
Ms. Murray was first elected in 2001 to represent the riding of New Westminster.
Before her election to the Legislative Assembly, Ms. Murray was a founder, shareholder and board chair of Brinkman & Assoc. Reforestation Limited, a silviculture company based in New Westminster that offers a range of forest management and restoration services in B.C., across Canada and in Central America. She worked as a tree planter, crew boss and camp cook in remote areas throughout B.C. before becoming an entrepreneur in 1976.
Ms. Murray earned her master’s of business administration from Simon Fraser University and received the faculty of business dean’s convocation medal as top MBA graduate.
Ms. Murray was the regional winner of the Canadian Airlines Export Award Program in 1996 and earned the Quality Council of B.C.’s Bronze Level Excellence Award in 2000 on behalf of her company’s quality program.
Ms. Murray participated in several non-profit forestry organizations and was director of the Employee Share Owner & Investment Association. She was also a member of the Greater Vancouver Regional District solid waste management plan monitoring committee and the New Westminster Chamber of Commerce.
Joyce Murray and Dirk Brinkman have three children and live in New Westminster.
HON. RICK THORPEMinister of Provincial Revenue
Rick Thorpe was appointed Minister of Provincial Revenue on Jan. 26, 2004. He previously served as Minister of Competition, Science and Enterprise.
Mr. Thorpe previously served as Official Opposition critic for small business, tourism and culture. He was chair of the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts and deputy chair of the Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills. He also sat on the Select Standing Committees on Legislative Initiatives, and on Finance and Government Services, as well as the Official Opposition Caucus Committee on Economy.
He was first elected in 1996 to represent the riding of Okanagan-Penticton and was re-elected in 2001 to represent Okanagan-Westside.
Before his election to the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Thorpe worked in the Canadian brewing industry for 22 years in a variety of senior management positions in Canada and internationally. He was then involved in repositioning the B.C. grape and wine industry, and was a partner in an Okanagan winery for five years.
Mr. Thorpe is a certified management accountant and was president of the Okanagan Wine Festival in 1994 and 1995.
He has three children, two granddaughters and one grandson.
HON. RICH COLEMANMinister of Public Safety and Solicitor General
Rich Coleman was appointed Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General on June 5, 2001.
Mr. Coleman was first elected in 1996 to represent the riding of Fort Langley-Aldergrove and was re-elected in 2001. From 1996-2001, Mr. Coleman served in a variety of Official Opposition roles, including housing critic, forests deputy critic, and caucus whip. He also sat on the Select Standing Committee on Forests, Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, and on the Official Opposition Caucus Committee on Crime.
Mr. Coleman has served as governor of the B.C. Kinsmen, president of the Aldergrove Chamber of Commerce, and as a director on several volunteer boards. He was awarded Rotary's highest honour, the Paul Harris Fellowship, and received a Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal in 2003. He has also received the Canada 125 Medal for community service and was chosen Langley's Volunteer of the Year in 1988.
Before his election to the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Coleman ran a real estate management and consulting company. He is also a former member of the RCMP and a security specialist.
Rich Coleman and his wife, Michele, live in Aldergrove and have two adult children. Michele is the former manager of the North Langley Chamber of Commerce. Rich’s hobbies include golfing and watching sports such as hockey and football.
HON. GRAHAM BRUCE Minister of Skills Development and Labour
Graham Bruce was appointed Minister of Skills Development and Labour on June 5, 2001.
Mr. Bruce previously served as Minister of Municipal Affairs, Recreation and Culture in 1991.
He was first elected in 1986 to represent the riding of Cowichan-Malahat. He was elected to represent Cowichan-Ladysmith in 2001.
Before his election to the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Bruce owned and operated a local grocery store. He also served on North Cowichan Municipal Council for 11 years, eight of them as mayor.
Mr. Bruce was instrumental in the rejuvenation of Chemainus and is a past director of the Chemainus and District Credit Union. He was made an honorary member of the Canadian Institute of Forestry for his work on Vancouver Island's Strategy for Survival forestry program.
Graham and Anneke Bruce live in Crofton and have four children and three grandchildren.
HON. JOHN LES Minister of Small Business and Economic Development
John Les was appointed Minister of Small Business and Economic Development on Jan. 26, 2004.
Mr. Les was first elected to represent the riding of Chilliwack-Sumas in 2001.
He has served as Government Caucus Chair since June 2002, and also chaired the Legislative Special Committee on the Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform. Mr. Les has served on the Government Caucus Committee on Economy and Government Operations, as well as the Select Standing Committee on Crown Corporations. He has also been chair of the Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, and was formerly a member of the Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills.
Before being elected to the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Les served for three years as a Chilliwack municipal councillor before he became Mayor from 1987 to 1999. During his 13 years as Mayor, he served on a number of bodies, including: the Fraser Valley Regional District; the Municipal Finance Authority of B.C.; the Union of BC Municipalities; and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
Before he became involved in municipal government, Mr. Les was active in business and property development, as well as community activities, such as restorative justice, the Community Police Access Centre non-profit society, and the Fraser Valley Regional Library.
Mr. Les is an Honorary Rotarian, who was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship in recognition of his exemplary community service, by the Rotary Club of Chilliwack.
Mr. Les and his wife Mattie live in Chilliwack and have six children and four grandchildren.
HON. GEORGE ABBOTT Minister of Sustainable Resource Management
George Abbott was appointed Minister of Sustainable Resource Management on Jan. 26, 2004. He previously served as Minister of Community, Aboriginal and Women’s Services.
Mr. Abbott previously served as deputy house leader for the Official Opposition and was also critic for municipal affairs and for forests.
He was Deputy Chair of the Select Standing Committees on Forests, Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, and was a member of the Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs. He also sat on the Official Opposition Caucus Committee on Crime.
He was first elected in 1996 to represent the riding of Shuswap and was re-elected in 2001.
Before his election to the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Abbott was a political science instructor at Okanagan University College. He also owned the oldest and largest berry farm in the Interior.
He received his bachelor of arts from the University of British Columbia and his master of arts in political science from the University of Victoria.
Mr. Abbott was the chair of the Columbia-Shuswap Regional District. He was also involved in amateur sports as a minor hockey coach.
George and Lesley Abbott live in Sicamous and have three children.
HON. SANDY SANTORI Minister of State for Resort Development
Sandy Santori was appointed Minister of State for Resort Development on Jan. 26, 2004. He previously served as Minister of Management Services.
Mr. Santori was elected in 2001 to represent the riding of West Kootenay-Boundary.
Before his election to the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Santori was the manager of Kootenay Savings Insurance Services.
He attended Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, on a full athletic scholarship.
Mr. Santori served on Trail City Council for 13 years, eight of them as mayor, and was director of the Regional District of Kootenay-Boundary. He was president of the Trail Smoke Eaters Hockey Club and the Cristoforo Colombo Lodge, an Italian benevolent society; chaired the Trail Community Lead Task Force and was a director of the Credit Union Insurance Services Association.
Sandy and Wendy Santori live in Trail and have two children, Tracy and Kevin.
HON. KEVIN FALCON Minister of Transportation
Kevin Falcon was appointed Minister of Transportation on Jan. 26, 2004. He previously served as Minister of State for Deregulation.
Mr. Falcon was first elected in 2001 to represent the riding of Surrey-Cloverdale.
Before his election to the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Falcon was president of the Access Group, a corporate communications firm he formed in 1998. He has also worked in the real estate development industry and was vice-president of Northwest Investment Properties. Prior to attending university, Mr. Falcon spent five years working in the general insurance industry.
He received his bachelor of arts from Simon Fraser University and his real estate sales and mortgage brokers diploma from the University of British Columbia.
Mr. Falcon has been vice-president of the Cloverdale District Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Surrey Museum and Archives advisory board, as well as belonging to the Cloverdale Rotary and Elks clubs. He was also a director of the Vancouver Sea Festival, president of the Vancouver Junior Chamber of Commerce and a volunteer with the Cloverdale RCMP Bike Patrol.
Kevin Falcon lives in Cloverdale.
HON. BILL BARISOFF Minister of Water, Land and Air Protection
Bill Barisoff was appointed Minister of Water, Land and Air Protection on Jan. 26, 2004. He previously served as Minister of Provincial Revenue.
Mr. Barisoff previously held a variety of critic roles for the Official Opposition, including agriculture, transportation and highways and aboriginal affairs. He served on the province's Motor Carrier Commission and was a member of the Select Standing Committees on Aboriginal Affairs and on Agriculture.
He was first elected in 1996 to represent the riding of Okanagan-Boundary and was re-elected in 2001 for Penticton-Okanagan Valley.
Mr. Barisoff, who was born and raised in Oliver, owned a trucking firm before his election to the Legislative Assembly.
He served as a school trustee for 18 years, including eight as chair of the Southern Okanagan school board; was a volunteer firefighter in Oliver for over 25 years; and sat on the Okanagan Labour Relations Council. He was also chair of the Oliver Recreation Commission for one year.
Bill and Edna Barisoff live in Oliver and have three sons: Glen, Michael and Darren.
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