37th Parliament Members
at dissolution on April 19, 2005

MLA: Hon. John Les  Chilliwack-Sumas Minister of Small Business and Economic Development Elected: 2001 BRITISH COLUMBIA LIBERAL PARTY

John Les was appointed Minister of Small Business and Economic Development on Jan. 26, 2004 .

Mr. Les was first elected to represent the riding of Chilliwack-Sumas in 2001.

He has served as Government Caucus Chair since June 2002, and also chaired the Legislative Special Committee on the Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform. Mr. Les has served on the Government Caucus Committee on Economy and Government Operations, as well as the Select Standing Committee on Crown Corporations. He has also been chair of the Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, and was formerly a member of the Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills.

Before being elected to the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Les served for three years as a Chilliwack municipal councillor before he became Mayor from 1987 to 1999. During his 13 years as Mayor, he served on a number of bodies, including: the Fraser Valley Regional District; the Municipal Finance Authority of B.C.; the Union of BC Municipalities; and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

Before he became involved in municipal government, Mr. Les was active in business and property development, as well as community activities, such as restorative justice, the Community Police Access Centre non-profit society, and the Fraser Valley Regional Library.

Mr. Les is an Honorary Rotarian, who was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship in recognition of his exemplary community service, by the Rotary Club of Chilliwack.

Mr. Les and his wife Mattie live in Chilliwack and have six children and four grandchildren.