Gordon Wilson

Background

About Gordon Wilson

Gordon Wilson has retired to become a full time writer, thinker and commentator on world and Canadian affairs. He is the former Minister of Finance, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Minister of Forests, Minister of Employment and Investment, and Minister of Education for the government of British Columbia, and he served as Minister Responsible for BC Ferries. He is familiar with skills training and capacity-building programs, and has worked closely with First Nations peoples in preparing strategies for economic self-sufficiency. He consulted with many First Nations providing assistance in resource development, business management, administration, marketing, tourism development, and research. Wilson has provided management consulting in economic development, land use, and skills training and capacity-building programs, and has developed strategies for economic self-sufficiency for Aboriginal and rural communities. He is experienced in developing marketing material for emerging economies, and in marketing strategies through consultation with industry, government, and other key players. He has extensive communication skills, and understands BC's resource sector, in terms of domestic supply, market challenges, sustainability, and export constraints. Wilson is an accomplished public speaker and has moderated public forums, conducting pre- and post-public process research and analysis. Gordon Wilson was Member of the Legislative Assembly for Powell River - Sunshine Coast (1991 - 2001), Leader of the Liberal Party of BC (1987 - 1993), and Director of the Sunshine Coast Regional District (1984 - 1991). Prior to his political work, he was a Professor of Resource Economics at Capilano University (then College) for seventeen years. He is a farmer in the upper Sunshine Coast (11 years) and was a farmer in the lower Sunshine Coast (16 years). Born in Vancouver, he was raised in East Africa.