Mike Farnworth was appointed Minister of Social Development and Economic Security on November 1, 2000.

Mr. Farnworth served as Minister of Health and Minister Responsible for Seniors from February 2000 to November 2000, as Minister of Employment and Investment from February 1998 to February 2000 and as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing from January 1997 to February 1998. He also served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and as Chair of the Select Standing Committee on Economic Development, Science, Labour, Training and Technology.

He was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1991 and was re-elected in 1996. He represents the riding of Port Coquitlam.

Before his election, Mr. Farnworth was executive assistant to Port Moody-Coquitlam Member of Parliament Ian Waddell. Previously, he worked for CP Rail, Gulf Oil and as a geological survey assistant for Mt. Isa Mining (MIM) in Australia.

In 1983, he was elected to Port Coquitlam Municipal Council and was returned in 1985 and 1987.

A resident of Port Coquitlam for over 30 years, Mr. Farnworth attended Simon Fraser University where he obtained a bachelor of arts degree.