Gordon Campbell is British Columbia’s 34th premier. His government was sworn into office on June 5, 2001 with the largest majority in B.C. history. On May 17, 2005, he became the first Premier in over 20-years to be re-elected in British Columbia.

Mr. Campbell inherited a provincial economy that was among the worst in the country. People were leaving the province in search of opportunity elsewhere. Mr. Campbell and the B.C. Liberals vowed to fix the economy and bring in a new era of hope and prosperity. In the seven years since being sworn into office, the government has brought in major reforms to help meet those objectives.

Bold tax cuts on the first day in office sent the clear signal that B.C. was open for business. B.C. now has among the lowest personal income tax rates in the country for the bottom two tax brackets. Investment was encouraged by eliminating the tax on corporate capital. Taxes on productivity enhancements were done away with. Mr. Campbell’s government is the first government to keep its books according to generally accepted accounting principles. These actions, combined with a government-wide commitment to fiscal discipline, have meant that a major prerequisite of a strong economy – a balanced budget – has now been accomplished, as the government promised. Importantly, this is being done in the face of the numerous economic challenges that confronted government over the first few years of their mandate.

Since the Campbell plan was put in place, B.C.’s economy has steadily improved and is now one of the country’s strongest and B.C.’s job growth is leading the country.

This fiscal prudence and renewed economic vigour has allowed record investment in to important programs such as health care and education.

Mr. Campbell previously served as Mayor of Vancouver for three terms, from 1986 to 1993. As Mayor, his council re-zoned the False Creek, Burrard Inlet and Fraser lands areas, creating what many have recognized as North America’s most liveable downtown core.

As Chair of the Greater Vancouver Regional District, Mr. Campbell guided the region’s Creating Our Future program that led to the liveable region strategy that was adopted in the mid-1990’s. He created the region’s Council of Councils, to include all municipal elected officials in formulating regional plans. Mr. Campbell was also president of the Union of BC Municipalities. In that role, he encouraged the establishment of a local government Bill of Rights, the forerunner to his government’s Community Charter.

Gordon Campbell has been involved in public life since first being elected to Vancouver City Council in 1984. His innovations include: the city caucus structure in Vancouver; the first set provincial election dates in Canada; free votes in the Legislature; a fixed legislative calendar; and the first ever Provincial Congress, which brings together all MLAs, MPs, Senators, and 15 Mayors from every region of the province. Perhaps his government's boldest reform initiative was the creation of a Citizens’ Assembly, which was established to recommend how the Legislature should be elected.

Throughout his time in office, Mr. Campbell has shown himself to be a leader who delivers results. He is a reformer who believes in the power of ideas to strengthen our public institutions.

Gordon Campbell is married to his wife of over 35 years, Nancy. She is a Principal in the How Sound School District. Nancy and Gordon have two grown sons, Geoffrey and Nicholas. They are voracious readers, have coached soccer and baseball, and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro with their sons to help raise over $130,000 for Alzheimers BC.

Mr. Campbell taught under the auspices of CUSO in Yola, Nigeria in the early 1970’s. While there he coached state championship teams in basketball and track-and-field and helped rebuild the school library. His personal commitment to literacy expanded while he was Mayor of Vancouver, when he spearheaded the creation of the new public library and was instrumental in bringing the Peter Gzowski golf tournament to Vancouver.

Mr. Campbell has a B.A. in English from Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. He received his MBA from Simon Fraser University after attending the Executive MBA program at nights while he was still working.

Premier Campbell has been awarded the Simon Fraser University “Distinguished Alumni” Award and the Inter-Faith Brotherhood “Man of the Year” Award. He was born in Vancouver.