Minister of Housing and Social Development
Rich Coleman, a longtime community volunteer and businessman, was first elected in 1996 to represent the riding of Fort Langley-Aldergrove and was re-elected in 2001 and 2005.
Rich Coleman was appointed Minister of Housing and Social Development on June 23, 2008. He previously served as Minister of Forests and Range and Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
From 1996-2001, he served in a variety of Official Opposition roles, including housing critic, forests deputy critic, and caucus whip. He also sat on the Select Standing Committee on Forests, Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, and on the Official Opposition Caucus Committee on Crime.
Before his election to the Legislative Assembly, Rich served as governor of the B.C. Kinsmen, president of the Aldergrove Chamber of Commerce, and as a director on several volunteer boards. He was awarded Rotary's highest honour, the Paul Harris Fellowship, and received a Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal in 2003. He has also received the Canada 125 Medal for community service and was chosen Langley's Volunteer of the Year in 1988. In 2003, he was named The Langley Advance News’s Newsmaker of the Year for his work in Fort Langley-Aldergrove. A graduate of Penticton High School, he was inducted into the school’s Wall of Honour in 2004.
Besides his extensive volunteer work, Rich ran a real estate management and consulting company for eight years. He is also a former member of the RCMP and a security specialist.
Rich Coleman and his wife, Michele, live in Aldergrove and have two adult children. Michele is the former manager of the North Langley Chamber of Commerce. Rich's hobbies include golfing and watching sports such as hockey and football.
