37th Parliament Members
at dissolution on April 19, 2005
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MLA: Sheila Orr Victoria-Hillside Elected: 2001 BRITISH COLUMBIA LIBERAL PARTY |
Sheila Orr was first elected to the BC Legislature for the riding of Victoria-Hillside in the 2001 provincial general election.
She currently serves on the Treasury Board, the Legislative Select Standing Committees on Education and on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills, the Special Committee to Appoint a Merit Commissioner, and is the Deputy Chair of the Legislative Select Standing Committee on Legislative Initiatives. She is also a member of the Government Caucus Committee on Health. Sheila also sits with her colleagues on the Vancouver Island Coastal Caucus and the Women's Caucus Committee . She was formerly a member of the Government Caucus Committee on the Economy and the Legislative Standing Committee for Finance and Government Services.
Before becoming an MLA, Sheila served as a Councillor for five years in the Municipality of Saanich . Educated in England , Singapore and Cyprus , she studied design and business management. Sheila's 34 years of experience in the private sector both as an employee and employer include five years as president and owner of a retail and wholesale gift business and ten years as manager, trainer and consultant in the travel industry. Most recently, she was a political commentator on CBC Radio for two years and, since 1998, owner of Orrmar Designs.
Sheila has served on numerous committees either as chair or member, including: Provincial Capital Commission, Tourism Victoria, Economic Development Commission, Water Commission, Green/Blue Spaces Advisory Committee, Finance Committee, Saanich Heritage Foundation, Development Review Process Committee, and the Task Force on Jobs. In 1997, Sheila was elected to the Capital Regional District and served on the Region's Health Planning Committee, Housing Corporation Board, Finance and Administration and Regional Water Commission.
Sheila's other community involvements included:
- Greater Victoria Film Commission vice president;
- Sports Tourism Initiative member;
- Prostitute Empowerment Education and Resource Society Advisory Committee member;
- Capital Region Action Team on Sexually Exploited Youth; and,
- has helped with fundraising for many local charity organizations.
Born in the United Kingdom in 1945, Sheila immigrated to Canada in 1967 and moved to BC that same year, settling in Vernon. Sheila met her husband, John, in 1968 and they have raised five children together. They moved to Victoria in 1984. Sheila enjoys renovating houses, travelling, art and walking.