Born in British Columbia, Mike spent most of his childhood on the family’s Matsqui prairie farm in Abbotsford . He still lives there (with his elderly parents as neighbours) and fondly describes the tranquil area as a “good place to have roots.”

A self-described “custodian” of the small family farm, Mike started public service as one of Canada’s youngest school trustees at the age of 26, and he was elected twice to the Abbotsford school board. He also operated an Abbotsford law practice before becoming a Member of the Legislative Assembly in 1994.

His public service career has taken him a long way from his high school jobs as a farm hand, cashier at the local McDonald’s, and university summer work touring the BC and Yukon wilderness with an aviation company. Government House Leader since 2005, he has also served as Solicitor General, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, Minister of Labour and Citizen Services, and Minister of Forests.

He most recently served as British Columbia’s Attorney General and has been known to listen to Gordon Lightfoot while doing paperwork.

A long-time member of the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve who currently holds the rank of Captain, Mike is also a history buff, sometimes golfer, fair-weather runner, and avid hockey fan.

He was a forward in Midget, Junior B, and university hockey and still likes to keep his skates sharp — when time permits, he mixes it up on the ice with the Abbotsford Barley Hoppers.  Mike holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Carleton University in Ottawa and a Law Degree from the University of Alberta.