About David Emerson:
Vancouver MP David Emerson has a strong background in both the British Columbia public service and in the private sector. He moved back and forth between senior positions in the British Columbia public service at the Deputy Minister level and executive positions in the private sector, heading the Western and Pacific Bank of Canada in 1986 and Canfor Corporation, the huge British Columbia forestry company in 1998.
David Emerson originally entered politics as a star candidate for the Liberals in the 2004 election. When he won, David Emerson was immediately made Minister of Industry in the Liberal minority government. David Emerson ran again for the Liberals in the 2006 election and again won his seat. When it turned out it was the Conservatives who won a minority government, David Emerson suddenly changed party loyalties and switched to the Conservatives to be Minister of International Trade. In 2008, David Emerson also became Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Birth:
September 17, 1945 in Montreal, Quebec. Raised in Grande Prairie, Alberta.
Education:
- BA - Economics - University of Alberta
- MA - Economics - University of Alberta
- PhD - Economics - Queen's University
Public Service and Business Career of David Emerson:
- David Emerson became a researcher for the Economic Council of Canada in 1972.
- In 1975, David Emerson joined the British Columbia public service. By 1984 he had become the British Columbia Deputy Minister of Finance.
- David Emerson left government for the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of the Western and Pacific Bank of Canada in 1986.
- In 1990, David Emerson returned to the British Columbia government as the Deputy Minister of Finance. He was soon promoted to Deputy Minister to the Premier and then President of the British Columbia Trade Development Corporation.
- David Emerson became head of the newly created Vancouver International Airport Authority in 1992.
- In 1998, Mr. Emerson went back to the private sector to become President and Chief Executive Officer of Canfor Corporation, British Columbia's largest forestry company.
Political Affiliation:
- Liberal (2004-06)
- Conservative (2006 - present)
Riding:
Vancouver Kingsway
Political Career of David Emerson:
- David Emerson was first elected to the House of Commons as a Liberal in the 2004 general election.
- He became Minister of Industry in 2004 in the Liberal minority government.
- David Emerson was re-elected as a Liberal in Vancouver Kingsway in the 2006 general election.
- When the Conservatives won a minority government, David Emerson immediately switched parties to be sworn in as Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics.
- David Emerson also became Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2008.
