Coralee Oakes was elected MLA for Cariboo North in 2013, 2017 and 2020. She currently serves as the Shadow Minister for Advanced Education.

Previously, she served as Minister of Small Business, Red-Tape Reduction and Minister Responsible for the Liquor Distribution Branch, and Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.

Prior to her election to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Coralee was a two-term Quesnel City Councillor, and served as the Executive Director of the Quesnel and District Chamber of Commerce.

Coralee is a Past President of the British Columbia Chamber Executives and has also served as a Director on the B.C. Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Chamber of Commerce Executives, Cariboo Chilcotin Tourism Association and numerous local not-for-profit organizations.

In 2007, Coralee was appointed to the provincial Small Business Roundtable, representing rural small businesses, and was appointed to the Minister's Council on Tourism in 2009. The same year, Coralee received the B.C. Chamber of Commerce Executive of the Year award. She has also received the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association award of contribution.