Tom Christensen (politician)

Tom Christensen (born 1966)[1][2] is a Canadian lawyer and former politician. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) of British Columbia, representing the electoral district of Okanagan-Vernon from 2001 to 2009. A caucus member of the British Columbia Liberal Party, he served in several cabinet posts under Premier Gordon Campbell.

Tom Christensen
Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly
for Okanagan-Vernon
In office
May 16, 2001 – May 12, 2009
Preceded byApril Sanders
Succeeded byEric Foster
Minister of Education of British Columbia
In office
January 26, 2004 – June 16, 2005
PremierGordon Campbell
Preceded byChristy Clark
Succeeded byShirley Bond
Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation of British Columbia
In office
June 16, 2005 – August 15, 2006
PremierGordon Campbell
Preceded byGeoff Plant (Treaty Negotiations)
Murray Coell (Community, Aboriginal and Women’s Services)
Succeeded byMichael de Jong
Minister of Children and Family Development of British Columbia
In office
August 15, 2006 – June 10, 2009
PremierGordon Campbell
Preceded byStan Hagen
Succeeded byMary Polak
Personal details
Born1966
Vernon, British Columbia
Political partyBC Liberal
Alma materUniversity of Victoria
Professionlawyer

Biography

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Born in Vernon, British Columbia, he attended the University of Victoria, graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in geography and environmental studies in 1990, and a law degree in 1994.[2][3] He was called to the British Columbia bar in 1995 and practised at Davidson & Company, becoming partner in 1999.[2][3]

He ran as a candidate for the British Columbia Liberal Party in the 2001 provincial election, and was elected Member of the Legislative Assembly for Okanagan-Vernon.[3] He was appointed to the cabinet in January 2004 to serve as Minister of Education.[4]

After being returned in the 2005 election with a margin of 2,571 votes,[5] he was named Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation.[4] He was subsequently re-assigned as Minister of Children and Family Development in August 2006 as part of a cabinet shuffle.[4][6] He did not seek re-election in 2009.[7]

References

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  1. ^ Lumley, Elizabeth (2005). Canadian Who's Who 2005. University of Toronto Press. p. 247. ISBN 0-8020-8907-0.
  2. ^ a b c "Christensen, Hon. Tom, B.A., LL.B. (Okanagan-Vernon) Minister of Education". Canadian Parliamentary Guide. Retrieved 2024-02-27.
  3. ^ a b c "38th Parliament Members at dissolution on April 14, 2009: MLA: Hon. Tom Christensen". Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Retrieved 2024-02-27.
  4. ^ a b c "Campbell Cabinet: 37th Parliament 2001-2005, 38th Parliament 2005-2009, 39th Parliament 2009-2011" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Retrieved 2024-02-27.
  5. ^ "Vernon-Monashee". CBC News. 2013-05-11. Retrieved 2024-02-27.
  6. ^ "Campbell shakes up cabinet". CBC News. 2006-08-15. Retrieved 2024-02-27.
  7. ^ "Cabinet minister Christensen will not seek re-election in May". CBC News. January 13, 2009. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
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