Home > Previous Parliaments > 38th Parliament, 5th Session > Members > Member Biography

38th Parliament Members
at dissolution on April 14, 2009

Photo of MLA

MLA: Hon. Colin Hansen 

Vancouver-Quilchena


Minister of Finance and Minister Responsible for the Olympics

Elected: 1996, 2001, 2005

BRITISH COLUMBIA LIBERAL PARTY

Colin Hansen was appointed Minister of Finance on June 23, 2008. He previously served as Minister of Economic Development (June 16, 2005 to June 23, 2008), Minister of Health Services (June 5, 2001 to December 14, 2004) and a previous appointment as Minister of Finance (December 15, 2004 to June 15, 2005).

He was first elected in 1996 to represent the electoral district of Vancouver-Quilchena and was re-elected in 2001 and 2005.

Colin served as health critic for the Official Opposition, as well as the critic for Employment and Investment, and for Labour. He sat on the Select Standing Committees on Crown Corporations and on Economic Development, Science, Labour, Training and Technology.

He also sat on the Official Opposition Caucus Committees on Health and Economy.

Colin received his bachelor of arts in political science from the University of Victoria in 1975. Before his election to the Legislative Assembly, he and his wife Laura owned and operated a small business they established in 1988. Prior to that, he was vice-president of finance and administration for the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.

Colin served as a director of the Vancouver-Yokohama Sister City Society and chair of the Vancouver Museum board of trustees. Colin and Laura Hansen have two children and live in the Dunbar area of Vancouver-Quilchena.