Minister of Community Development
Blair Lekstrom was first elected as a member of the BC Liberal Team in the 2001 provincial general election in the riding of Peace River South, and was re-elected in 2005. On June 23, 2008, Blair was appointed to Cabinet as the Minister of Community Development.
Blair has chaired the Legislative Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services (2001 and 2002), the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts, the Cabinet Committee on Agenda & Priorities, and served on the Government Caucus Committee on the Economy.
Before becoming an MLA, Blair was serving his second term as Mayor of the City of Dawson Creek. He was first elected mayor in 1996, after serving for three years as a councillor.
Born in 1961 in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Blair moved to Dawson Creek later that year and has lived there ever since. Following graduation from South Peace Secondary School, Blair started with BC Tel in 1979 and worked for the next 17 years as an installer-repairman until his election as Mayor in 1996. He was a Peace River Regional District member and served on the North Central Municipal Association executive.
Blair's previous appointments include serving as a Municipal Finance Authority board member, North Central Municipal Association president, BC Task Force on Bank Mergers member, BC Agri-Food Policy Working Group member, and Union of BC Municipalities executive member.
Blair's community involvements have included: Dawson Creek & District Hospital Foundation board member as well as participation in a wide range of community groups in his capacity as Mayor of the City.
He and wife Vicki were married in 1982. They have two children. Blair enjoys carpentry, camping with his family, skiing, as well as playing baseball and hockey.
