I came to politics later in life. I was born to a family of ten in East Vancouver; we painted houses for a living. After graduating from engineering at UBC, I married a young nurse from my neighbourhood. We saved our money for a couple of years before moving to Massachusetts where I attended Harvard University.
Fifteen years, three Harvard degrees, a professorship and four children later, we returned to Canada. The Royal Bank of Canada appointed me their Chief Economist, and I held a series other senior management positions with them, in asset-liability management, marketing, energy and mining.
I left the bank to become an entrepreneur and principal in mining and other ventures stretching from the Yukon to Toronto to France. In 1990 we returned home to Vancouver. I was engaged in mining and a fiberboard mill project. Our kids graduated from university and commenced their own careers. Life was good.
All of this came crashing down one day when my wife passed away. Our health care system tried its best but could not save her. After our 45-year relationship, it was a difficult reality to accept.
I was approached by representatives of the BC Liberal Party, and agreed to run in the riding of West Vancouver-Capilano. At that time I was infuriated by the “dismal decade” which the NDP had managed to create. I knew there had to be a better way of running the province… and there still is.
