John Les
Encyclopedia
John Les is a Canadian
politician
and member of the Legislative Assembly
(MLA) for British Columbia
.
He is currently the Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier. He previously served as Parliamentary Secretary
for HST
information, Minister of Small Business and Economic Development and Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor-General for the Provincial Government.
He currently sits on Treasury Board and the Priorities and Planning Committee. He served as Government Caucus Chair, and also chaired the Legislative Special Committee on the Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform. Mr. Les has served on the Government Caucus Committee on Economy and Government Operations, as well as the Select Standing Committee on Crown Corporations. He has also been chair of the Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, and was formerly a member of the Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills.
Les served as mayor of Chilliwack
from 1987 to 1999. Before entering politics, he was a partner in a Chilliwack dairy, a real estate agent and the owner of a land development company. He was elected in the 2001 B.C. election
representing the British Columbia Liberal Party
in the Chilliwack-Sumas
riding. He won re-election in the 2005 B.C. election
. He was re-elected in the newly created Chilliwack
riding in the 2009 election
.
On March 28, 2008, John Les resigned from his position as Solicitor General
pending the outcome of an investigation over allegations of misconduct during his tenure as Mayor of Chilliwack
. A special prosecutor was appointed to look into a land deal that he was alleged to have benefited from.
In 2008, Les said that he hadn't been questioned by anyone and has no doubt he will be cleared of any allegations of wrong-doing. "He's a great colleague, a principled man, and I have always known him to be that way," B.C. Attorney General Wally Oppal
.
In June 2010, the investigation was concluded with the special prosecutor stating that while Les was given preferential treatment in the rezoning of one subdivision, there was not enough evidence to suggest John Les used his public office directly to advance his personal interest.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and member of the Legislative Assembly
Member of the Legislative Assembly
A Member of the Legislative Assembly or a Member of the Legislature , is a representative elected by the voters of a constituency to the legislature or legislative assembly of a sub-national jurisdiction....
(MLA) for British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
.
He is currently the Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier. He previously served as Parliamentary Secretary
Parliamentary Secretary
A Parliamentary Secretary is a member of a Parliament in the Westminster system who assists a more senior minister with his or her duties.In the parliamentary systems of several Commonwealth countries, such as the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, it is customary for the prime minister to...
for HST
Harmonized Sales Tax
The Harmonized Sales Tax is the name used in Canada to describe the combination of the federal Goods and Services Tax and the regional Provincial Sales Tax into a single value added sales tax in five of the ten Canadian provinces: Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, British...
information, Minister of Small Business and Economic Development and Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor-General for the Provincial Government.
He currently sits on Treasury Board and the Priorities and Planning Committee. He served as Government Caucus Chair, and also chaired the Legislative Special Committee on the Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform. Mr. Les has served on the Government Caucus Committee on Economy and Government Operations, as well as the Select Standing Committee on Crown Corporations. He has also been chair of the Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, and was formerly a member of the Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills.
Les served as mayor of Chilliwack
Chilliwack, British Columbia
Chilliwack is a Canadian city in the Province of British Columbia. It is a predominantly agricultural community with an estimated population of 80,000 people. Chilliwack is the second largest city in the Fraser Valley Regional District after Abbotsford. The city is surrounded by mountains and...
from 1987 to 1999. Before entering politics, he was a partner in a Chilliwack dairy, a real estate agent and the owner of a land development company. He was elected in the 2001 B.C. election
British Columbia general election, 2001
The British Columbia general election of 2001 was the 37th provincial election in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on April 18, 2001, and held on May 16, 2001...
representing the British Columbia Liberal Party
British Columbia Liberal Party
The British Columbia Liberal Party is the governing political party in British Columbia, Canada. First elected for government in 1916, the party went into decline after 1952, with its rump caucus merging with the Social Credit Party for the 1975 election...
in the Chilliwack-Sumas
Chilliwack-Sumas
Chilliwack-Sumas was a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Canada from 2001 to 2009.- Demographics :-1999 Redistribution:Changes from Chilliwack to Chilliwack-Sumas include:...
riding. He won re-election in the 2005 B.C. election
British Columbia general election, 2005
The 38th British Columbia general election was held on May 17, 2005, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia , Canada. The BC Liberal Party formed the government of the province prior to this general election under the leadership of Premier Gordon Campbell...
. He was re-elected in the newly created Chilliwack
Chilliwack (provincial electoral district)
Chilliwack is a provincial electoral district in British Columbia, Canada. A riding by this name has been in use continuously from 1916 to 2001, and it was re-established and contested in the 2009 provincial election.- Political Geography and History :...
riding in the 2009 election
British Columbia general election, 2009
The 39th British Columbia general election was held on May 12, 2009 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly in the Canadian province of British Columbia. The BC Liberal Party formed the government of the province prior to this general election under the leadership of Premier Gordon Campbell...
.
On March 28, 2008, John Les resigned from his position as Solicitor General
Solicitor General of Canada
The Solicitor General of Canada was a position in the Canadian ministry from 1892 to 2005. The position was based on the Solicitor General in the British system and was originally designated as an officer to assist the Minister of Justice...
pending the outcome of an investigation over allegations of misconduct during his tenure as Mayor of Chilliwack
Chilliwack, British Columbia
Chilliwack is a Canadian city in the Province of British Columbia. It is a predominantly agricultural community with an estimated population of 80,000 people. Chilliwack is the second largest city in the Fraser Valley Regional District after Abbotsford. The city is surrounded by mountains and...
. A special prosecutor was appointed to look into a land deal that he was alleged to have benefited from.
In 2008, Les said that he hadn't been questioned by anyone and has no doubt he will be cleared of any allegations of wrong-doing. "He's a great colleague, a principled man, and I have always known him to be that way," B.C. Attorney General Wally Oppal
Wally Oppal
Wallace Oppal, Q.C. is a Canadian lawyer, former judge and provincial politician, who is currently serving as the Chancellor of the Thompson Rivers University...
.
In June 2010, the investigation was concluded with the special prosecutor stating that while Les was given preferential treatment in the rezoning of one subdivision, there was not enough evidence to suggest John Les used his public office directly to advance his personal interest.