Life in British Columbia
Nine days after they were married, my parents immigrated to Canada to start a new life. They arrived with a single suitcase containing all their worldly possessions, and a two-year teaching contract with the Winnipeg School Division in the other hand.
Fortunately for me, that “two years” turned into something much longer.
I did something similar on New Year’s Day in 1994. As a newlywed, I moved to British Columbia to start a new life of my own — and what an extraordinary journey it has been.
Raising three children here, building our careers here, and contributing to — and receiving so much from — our community are the reasons I care so deeply about the current state of British Columbia, and why I’m so optimistic about the future we can build together.
My wife and I are blessed with three remarkable young adult children. Like many parents in BC, I think every day about what it will take to make life affordable again, to keep our communities safe, and to ensure there is real opportunity for the next generation.
Outside of work and politics, I have a deep love of music in all its forms, and I treasured the years spent coaching and managing our kids’ soccer and hockey teams. I’ve also found it deeply rewarding to serve on non-profit boards, which reinforced — in a very personal way — the importance of strong communities and neighbours who look out for one another.
Living here and raising a family here keeps me grounded. It reminds me that good government isn’t just about policy — it’s about people. It’s about creating real opportunity, delivering dependable public services, and building safe, welcoming communities where families can truly thrive.
A Career Built on Results
I’ve spent my career at the intersection of business, government, and community - focused on making organizations work better and delivering results people can rely on. I didn’t come to leadership through ideology or slogans. I came to it by solving real problems, managing real risk, and being accountable for outcomes.
I served as a two-term MLA and as a cabinet minister in three key economic portfolios, working to strengthen British Columbia’s economy and make government more effective. My work focused on modernizing trade, streamlining regulation, supporting small businesses, improving employment standards, and diversifying our international markets. In each role, I worked collaboratively, relied on evidence, and focused on practical, responsible policy-making.
I believe government should be a partner in growth, not an obstacle. It should set clear rules, spend responsibly, and deliver services people can depend on.
As President and CEO of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, I helped revitalize Western Canada’s leading business advocacy organization, strengthening its policy voice and its ability to bring business, labour, and government together around shared priorities. That experience reinforced something I’ve believed throughout my career: a strong economy and strong communities go hand in hand. One does not come at the expense of the other.
In the private sector, I’ve led organizations through periods of change and uncertainty, where success depended on sound judgment, fiscal discipline, and strong teams. As President and CEO, and later Vice Chair, of Maximizer CRM, I led a multi-year renewal that strengthened competitiveness, rebuilt leadership capacity, and modernized operations. The work required difficult decisions, long-term thinking, and a clear focus on results - not excuses.
This experience has shaped how I think about government and why I believe British Columbia needs steady, practical leadership today.