38th Parliament Members
at dissolution on April 14, 2009

MLA: Hon. Tom Christensen  Okanagan-Vernon Minister of Children and Family Development Elected: 2001, 2005 BRITISH COLUMBIA LIBERAL PARTY

Tom Christensen was appointed Minister Children and Family Development on August 15, 2006.  He previously served as Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation and Minister of Education.

Mr. Christensen was elected to represent the riding of Okanagan-Vernon in 2001.

He has served as Chair of the Government Caucus Committee on Education and as a member of the Legislative Review Committee, as well as the Select Standing Committees on Education; Aboriginal Affairs; Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills; and Legislative Initiatives.

Mr. Christensen graduated from the University of Victoria with a Law degree in 1994, and was called to the B.C. bar in May 1995. Prior to entering politics, he practiced law at Davidson & Company, and was a partner in the firm from 1999 to 2001.

Born and raised in Vernon, Mr. Christensen has been involved in a number of community organizations, having held such positions as president of the Downtown Vernon Association, director of the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation and chairperson of the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundations Annual Light-a-Bulb Fundraising Campaign.

Mr. Christensen is married and has three children.