Members

MLA: Hon. George Abbott  Shuswap Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Elected: 1996, 2001, 2005, 2009 BRITISH COLUMBIA LIBERAL PARTY

E-mail: george.abbott.mla@leg.bc.ca Web site: www.georgeabbottmla.bc.ca
Office: Room 310 Parliament Buildings Victoria, BC V8V 1X4		Constituency: 202A – 371 Alexander Street NE Box 607 Salmon Arm, BC V1E 4N7
Phone:	250 953-4844	Phone:	250 833-7414
Fax:	250 953-4856	Fax:	250 833-7422
		Toll free:	1 877 771-7557

George Abbott was appointed Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation and government deputy house leader on June 10, 2009. He was re-elected as MLA for the Shuswap on May 12, 2009.

He had served as Minister of Health since June 16, 2005 and previously served as Minister of Community, Aboriginal and Women’s Services and Minister of Sustainable Resource Management.

George has also been deputy house leader for the Official Opposition and was critic for municipal affairs and forests. He was Deputy Chair of the Select Standing Committees on Forests, Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, and was a member of the Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs. Additionally, he sat on the Official Opposition Caucus Committee on Crime.

First elected as MLA in 1996 to represent the riding of Shuswap, George was re-elected in 2001 and again in 2005. Before his election to the Legislative Assembly, George was a political science instructor at Okanagan University College. He also owned the oldest and largest berry farm in the Interior.

He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of British Columbia and his Master of Arts in political science from the University of Victoria.

George was the chair of the Columbia-Shuswap Regional District. He was also involved in amateur sports as a minor hockey coach.

George and Lesley Abbott live in Sicamous and have three children.