Tom Christensen | |
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Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly for Okanagan-Vernon | |
In office May 16, 2001 –May 12, 2009 | |
Preceded by | April Sanders |
Succeeded by | Eric Foster |
Minister of Education of British Columbia | |
In office January 26,2004 –June 16,2005 | |
Premier | Gordon Campbell |
Preceded by | Christy Clark |
Succeeded by | Shirley Bond |
Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation of British Columbia | |
In office June 16,2005 –August 15,2006 | |
Premier | Gordon Campbell |
Preceded by | Geoff Plant (Treaty Negotiations) Murray Coell (Community,Aboriginal and Women’s Services) |
Succeeded by | Michael de Jong |
Minister of Children and Family Development of British Columbia | |
In office August 15,2006 –June 10,2009 | |
Premier | Gordon Campbell |
Preceded by | Stan Hagen |
Succeeded by | Mary Polak |
Personal details | |
Born | 1966 Vernon,British Columbia |
Political party | BC Liberal |
Alma mater | University of Victoria |
Profession | lawyer |
Tom Christensen (born 1966) [1] [2] is a Canadian lawyer and former politician. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) of British Columbia,representing the electoral district of Okanagan-Vernon from 2001 to 2009. A caucus member of the British Columbia Liberal Party,he served in several cabinet posts under Premier Gordon Campbell.
Born in Vernon,British Columbia,he attended the University of Victoria,graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in geography and environmental studies in 1990,and a law degree in 1994. [2] [3] He was called to the British Columbia bar in 1995 and practised at Davidson &Company,becoming partner in 1999. [2] [3]
He ran as a candidate for the British Columbia Liberal Party in the 2001 provincial election,and was elected Member of the Legislative Assembly for Okanagan-Vernon. [3] He was appointed to the cabinet in January 2004 to serve as Minister of Education. [4]
After being returned in the 2005 election with a margin of 2,571 votes, [5] he was named Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation. [4] He was subsequently re-assigned as Minister of Children and Family Development in August 2006 as part of a cabinet shuffle. [4] [6] He did not seek re-election in 2009. [7]