Gretchen Mann Brewin was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Social Development and Economic Security in November 2000.

Representing Victoria-Beacon Hill since 1991, Gretchen was the province's first woman Deputy Speaker and served as Speaker in the Legislative Assembly from March 1998 to February 2000. From February to November 2000, she served as the Minister for Children and Families.

Ms. Brewin's electoral career also includes two terms as Victoria's first woman mayor, from 1985-90, three terms as a Victoria City Councillor, from 1979-85, and a term as a school trustee in Scarborough, Ontario. During her tenure as Mayor, and as a result of her great interest in community development, social and heritage planners were hired by the City. She chaired the Police Board, was an active member of the Capital Regional District, BC Transit and Federation of Canadian Municipalities, and played a key role in bringing the Commonwealth Games to Victoria.

As MLA, Gretchen has served as Deputy Chair of Committees and as a member of several select standing committees. She is very proud of many important developments in her community, such as the Restoration of St. Ann's Academy, the replacement of Sir James Douglas School, the Royal Jubilee expansion, the new cancer clinic, as well as several important housing initiatives - Kew Court, Carillon Place, Pandora Project, Mike Gedora Place, Sandi Merriman House and Streetlink Housing Society.

Gretchen currently lives in James Bay, Victoria. She has four grown children and seven grandchildren.