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{{Short description|Canadian politician}}
{{Short description|Canadian politician}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}}
{{BLP sources|date=May 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = John Les
| name = John Les
| image =
| image =
| honorific-prefix =
| honorific-prefix =
| honorific-suffix =
| honorific-suffix =
| assembly = British Columbia Legislative
|birth_date={{Birth based on age as of date|35|1987|2|13|mf=yes}}<ref>Sunday shopping Chilliwack's issue: [5* Edition]
⚫
| constituency_AM = [[Chilliwack (provincial electoral district)|Chilliwack]]<br /><small>[[Chilliwack-Sumas]] (2001-2009)</small>
Barrett, TomView Profile. The Vancouver Sun [Vancouver, B.C] February 13, 1987: B7.</ref>
| assembly = British Columbia Legislative
| term_start = May 16, 2001
⚫
| term_end = May 14, 2013
⚫
| constituency_AM = [[Chilliwack (provincial electoral district)|Chilliwack]]<br /><small>[[Chilliwack-Sumas]]
⚫
| predecessor = ''Riding established''
(2001-2009)</small>
⚫
| successor = [[John Martin (British Columbia politician)|John Martin]]
| term_start = May 16, 2001
⚫
| office1 = Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General of [[Executive Council of British Columbia|British Columbia]]
⚫
| term_end = May 14, 2013
| premier1 = [[Gordon Campbell]]
⚫
| predecessor = ''Riding Established''
⚫
| term_start1 = June 16, 2005
⚫
| successor = [[John Martin (British Columbia politician)|John Martin]]
⚫
| term_end1 = April 1, 2008
⚫
| office3 = Minister of Small Business and Economic Development of [[Executive Council of British Columbia|British Columbia]]
⚫
| predecessor1 = [[Rich Coleman]]
| premier3 = [[Gordon Campbell (Canadian politician)|Gordon Campbell]]
| successor1 = [[John van Dongen]]
⚫
| term_start3 = January 26, 2004
⚫
| office2 = Minister of Small Business and Economic Development of [[Executive Council of British Columbia|British Columbia]]
⚫
| term_end3 = June 16, 2005
| premier2 = [[Gordon Campbell]]
| predecessor3 =
⚫
| term_start2 = January 26, 2004
⚫
| successor3 = [[Colin Hansen]] (Economic Development)<BR>[[Rick Thorpe]] (Small Business)
⚫
| term_end2 = June 16, 2005
⚫
| office4 = Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General of [[Executive Council of British Columbia|British Columbia]]
| predecessor2 = ''Position established''
| premier4 = [[Gordon Campbell (Canadian politician)|Gordon Campbell]]
⚫
| successor2 = [[Colin Hansen]] (Economic Development)<BR>[[Rick Thorpe]] (Small Business)
⚫
| term_start4 = June 16, 2005
⚫
| office3 = Mayor of [[Chilliwack]], [[British Columbia]]
⚫
| term_end4 = April 1, 2008
| term_start3 = 1987
⚫
| predecessor4 = [[Rich Coleman]]
| successor4 = [[John van Dongen]]
| term_end3 = 1999
⚫
| predecessor3 = [[John Jansen (politician)|John Jansen]]
⚫
| office5 = Mayor of [[Chilliwack]], [[British Columbia]]
⚫
| successor3 = Clint Hames
| term_start5 = 1987
| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1952}}<ref name="CPG">{{Cite web |title=Les, Hon. John (Chilliwack-Sumas) Minister of Small Business and Economic Development |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/international/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/les-hon-john-chilliwack-sumas-minister-small-business-and-economic-development |publisher=Canadian Parliamentary Guide |accessdate=2024-03-26}}</ref><!--{{Birth based on age as of date|35|1987|2|13|mf=yes}}--><ref>Sunday shopping Chilliwack's issue: [5* Edition] Barrett, Tom. The Vancouver Sun [Vancouver, B.C] February 13, 1987: B7.</ref>
| term_end5 = 1999
| birth_place = [[Chilliwack]], [[British Columbia]]
⚫
| predecessor5 = [[John Jansen (politician)|John Jansen]]
| spouse = {{marriage|Mattie Les|1973}}
⚫
| successor5 = Clint Hames
| party = [[British Columbia Liberal Party|Liberal]]
| party = [[British Columbia Liberal Party|BC Liberal]]
| otherparty = [[Liberal Party of Canada]]
}}
}}
'''John Les''' (born 1951 or 1952) is a [[Canadians|Canadian]] [[politician]] and former [[member of the Legislative Assembly]] (MLA) for [[British Columbia]]. He has served as [[Parliamentary Secretary#Canada|Parliamentary Secretary]] for [[Harmonized Sales Tax]] (HST) information, Minister of Small Business and Economic Development and Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor-General for the Provincial Government.
'''John Les''' (born 1952) is a [[Canadians|Canadian]] [[politician]] and former [[member of the Legislative Assembly]] (MLA) for [[British Columbia]], representing [[Chilliwack-Sumas]] from 2001 to 2009, and [[Chilliwack (provincial electoral district)|Chilliwack]] from 2009 to 2013. A caucus member of the [[British Columbia Liberal Party]], he served in the [[Executive Council of British Columbia|cabinet]] of [[Premier of British Columbia|Premier]] [[Gordon Campbell]] as Minister of Small Business and Economic Development from 2004 to 2005, and Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General from 2005 to 2008. Prior to entering provincial politics, he was a municipal councillor and mayor of [[Chilliwack]].


==Biography==
⚫
Les was a member of the Treasury Board and the Priorities and Planning Committee. He has chaired the Government Caucus, the Legislative Special Committee on the Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform and the Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs. He was a member of the Government Caucus Committee on Economy and Government Operations, the Select Standing Committee on Crown Corporations and the Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills.
Born in [[Chilliwack]],<ref name="CPG"/> Les was a partner in a local dairy, a real estate agent and the owner of a land development company.<ref name="BCLeg39">{{cite web |url=https://www.leg.bc.ca/Pages/BCLASS-Legacy.aspx#%2Fcontent%2Flegacy%2Fweb%2Fmla%2F39thparl%2Flesj.htm |title=39th Parliament Members at dissolution on April 16, 2013: MLA: John Les |publisher=Legislative Assembly of British Columbia |access-date=2024-03-26}}</ref> He served as a [[Chilliwack City Council|municipal councillor]] in Chilliwack from 1984 to 1987.<ref name="CPG"/><ref name="CTV080401">{{cite news |url=https://bc.ctvnews.ca/john-les-a-timeline-1.286361?cache=xvlushbbrzkwk%3FautoPlay%3Dtrue |title=John Les: A Timeline |publisher=CTV News |date=2008-04-01 |access-date=2024-03-26}}</ref> With [[John Jansen (politician)|John Jansen]] resigning as mayor of Chilliwack following his election as MLA in [[1986 British Columbia general election|1986]], Les won the 1987 mayoral by-election,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lillicrap |first1=Bill |title=Les, Langbroek: Decisive wins |url=https://theprogress.newspapers.com/image/80553977/ |access-date=1 March 2024 |work=Chilliwack Progress |date=18 February 1987}}</ref> and served as mayor until 1999.<ref name="CPG"/><ref name="CTV080401"/> He ran for the [[Liberal Party of Canada]] in the [[1997 Canadian federal election|1997 federal election]] in the riding of [[Fraser Valley (electoral district)|Fraser Valley]], but lost to [[Reform Party of Canada|Reform]] candidate [[Chuck Strahl]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://lop.parl.ca/sites/ParlInfo/default/en_CA/ElectionsRidings/Ridings/Profile?OrganizationId=3125 |title=Profile - Fraser Valley, British Columbia (1997-04-27 - 2004-05-22) |publisher=Parliament of Canada |access-date=2024-03-26}}</ref>


Les served as councillor from 1983 to 1987 and subsequently 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 British Columbia general election|2001 B.C. election]] representing the [[British Columbia Liberal Party]] in the [[Chilliwack-Sumas]] riding. He won re-election in the [[2005 British Columbia general election|2005 B.C. election]]. He was re-elected in the newly created [[Chilliwack (provincial electoral district)|Chilliwack]] riding in the [[2009 British Columbia general election|2009 election]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.leg.bc.ca/mla/39thParl/lesJ.htm |title=MLA: John Les |publisher=Legislative Assembly of British Columbia |access-date=November 29, 2009 }}</ref>
He was elected MLA in the [[2001 British Columbia general election|2001 provincial election]] representing the [[British Columbia Liberal Party]] in the newly established riding of [[Chilliwack-Sumas]].<ref name="CPG"/><ref name="CTV080401"/> He was appointed to the cabinet by Premier [[Gordon Campbell]] in January 2004 to serve as Minister of Small Business and Economic Development.<ref name="CampbellCabinet">{{cite web|title=Campbell Cabinet: 37th Parliament 2001-2005, 38th Parliament 2005-2009, 39th Parliament 2009-2011 |url=https://www.llbc.leg.bc.ca/public/reference/campbell_cabinet.pdf|publisher=[[Legislative Assembly of British Columbia]]|accessdate=2024-03-26}}</ref> Following his re-election in [[2005 British Columbia general election|2005]], he was named [[Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General (British Columbia)|Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General]].<ref name="CampbellCabinet"/>


On March 28, 2008, Les resigned from his position as [[Solicitor General of Canada|Solicitor General]] pending the outcome of an investigation over allegations arising from his tenure as Mayor of [[Chilliwack, British Columbia|Chilliwack]]. A special prosecutor was appointed to look into a land deal that he was alleged to have benefited from.
On March 28, 2008, Les resigned from his cabinet post pending the outcome of an investigation over allegations arising from his tenure as mayor of Chilliwack;<ref name="CTV080401"/> his appointment was officially rescinded by order-in-council on April 1.<ref name="CampbellCabinet"/> A special prosecutor was appointed to look into a land deal that he was alleged to have benefited from. The investigation concluded in June 2010, with the special prosecutor stating there was no evidence to suggest that he used his public office to advance his personal interest.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/ex-b-c-solicitor-general-cleared-in-land-deal-probe-1.914933 |title=Ex-BC solicitor general cleared in land deal probe |publisher=CBC News |date=June 25, 2010 |access-date=June 1, 2018}}</ref>


He was re-elected in the newly re-created [[Chilliwack (provincial electoral district)|Chilliwack]] riding in the [[2009 British Columbia general election|2009 election]].<ref name="BCLeg39"/> Ahead of the [[2011 British Columbia sales tax referendum]], Les was appointed as [[Parliamentary Secretary#Canada|Parliamentary Secretary]] for [[Harmonized Sales Tax]] information in October 2010.<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/campbell-rolls-out-new-b-c-cabinet-1.939962| title = Campbell rolls out new B.C. cabinet |publisher=CBC News |date=2010-10-25 |accessdate=2024-03-26 }}</ref> After [[Christy Clark]] took over as premier in March 2011, Les was named Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, and became a member of the Treasury Board and the Policies and Priorities Committee.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chilliwack MLA holds 'influential' posts in new B.C. government|url=https://www.theprogress.com/news/chilliwack-mla-holds-influential-posts-in-new-b-c-government-1841346|access-date=2024-03-26 |date=2011-03-15 |first=Robert |last=Freeman |publisher=[[Chilliwack Progress]]}}</ref>
In June 2010, the investigation concluded with the special prosecutor stating there was no evidence to suggest that he used his public office to advance his personal interest.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/ex-b-c-solicitor-general-cleared-in-land-deal-probe-1.914933 |title=Ex-BC solicitor general cleared in land deal probe |publisher=CBC News |date=June 25, 2010 |access-date=June 1, 2018}}</ref>


⚫
During his time as MLA, he had chaired the Government Caucus, the Legislative Special Committee on the Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform and the Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs.<ref name="CPG"/> He was also a member of the Government Caucus Committee on Economy and Government Operations, the Select Standing Committee on Crown Corporations and the Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills.<ref name="BCLeg39"/>
On August 30, 2012, Les announced that he would not seek re-election as MLA for Chilliwack in the 2013 general election.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chilliwack MLA John Les won't run for re-election|url=http://www.theprogress.com/news/168002926.html|access-date=May 14, 2015 |date=August 30, 2012 |work=[[Chilliwack Progress]]}}</ref>

On August 30, 2012, Les announced that he would not seek re-election as MLA for Chilliwack in the [[2013 British Columbia general election|2013 general election]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Chilliwack MLA John Les won't run for re-election|url=http://www.theprogress.com/news/168002926.html|access-date=May 14, 2015 |date=August 30, 2012 |work=[[Chilliwack Progress]]}}</ref> In March 2014 the BC government announced the appointment of Les to lead a consultation on seismic preparedness, with an annual compensation of $140,000; the appointment was withdrawn shortly thereafter.<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/liberals-withdraw-john-les-140k-patronage-appointment-1.2570307| title = Liberals withdraw John Les $140K patronage appointment |publisher=CBC News |date=2014-03-12 |accessdate=2024-03-26 }}</ref>

He and his wife Mattie have been married since 1973; they have six children together.<ref name="CPG"/><ref name="BCLeg39"/>


==Election results (partial)==
==Election results (partial)==


===Federal===
===Federal===
{{CANelec/top|CA|1997|percent=yes|expenditures=yes}}
{{CANelec/top|CA|1997|Fraser Valley (electoral district)|Fraser Valley|percent=yes|expenditures=yes}}
{{CANelec|CA|Reform|[[Chuck Strahl]]|33,101|62.85|$57,306}}
{{CANelec|CA|Reform|[[Chuck Strahl]]|33,101|62.85|$57,306}}
{{CANelec|CA|Liberal|'''John Les'''|11,569|21.96|$63,061}}
{{CANelec|CA|Liberal|'''John Les'''|11,569|21.96|$63,061}}
Line 68: Line 74:
{{2005 British Columbia general election/Chilliwack-Sumas}}
{{2005 British Columbia general election/Chilliwack-Sumas}}


==Notes==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==


{{Gordon Campbell Ministry}}
{{Gordon Campbell Ministry}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Les, John}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Les, John}}
[[Category:1952 births]]
[[Category:BC United MLAs]]
[[Category:BC United MLAs]]
[[Category:British Columbia municipal councillors]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 1997 Canadian federal election]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 1997 Canadian federal election]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Members of the Executive Council of British Columbia]]
[[Category:Members of the Executive Council of British Columbia]]
[[Category:Mayors of Chilliwack]]
[[Category:Mayors of Chilliwack]]
[[Category:20th-century Canadian politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian politicians]]
[[Category:Liberal Party of Canada candidates for the Canadian House of Commons]]
[[Category:Liberal Party of Canada candidates for the Canadian House of Commons]]

Latest revision as of 16:19, 26 March 2024

John Les
Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly
for Chilliwack
Chilliwack-Sumas (2001-2009)
In office
May 16, 2001 – May 14, 2013
Preceded byRiding established
Succeeded byJohn Martin
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General of British Columbia
In office
June 16, 2005 – April 1, 2008
PremierGordon Campbell
Preceded byRich Coleman
Succeeded byJohn van Dongen
Minister of Small Business and Economic Development of British Columbia
In office
January 26, 2004 – June 16, 2005
PremierGordon Campbell
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byColin Hansen (Economic Development)
Rick Thorpe (Small Business)
Mayor of Chilliwack, British Columbia
In office
1987–1999
Preceded byJohn Jansen
Succeeded byClint Hames
Personal details
Born1952 (age 71–72)[1][2]
Chilliwack, British Columbia
Political partyBC Liberal
Other political
affiliations		Liberal Party of Canada
Spouse
Mattie Les
​
(m. 1973)​

John Les (born 1952) is a Canadian politician and former member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for British Columbia, representing Chilliwack-Sumas from 2001 to 2009, and Chilliwack from 2009 to 2013. A caucus member of the British Columbia Liberal Party, he served in the cabinet of Premier Gordon Campbell as Minister of Small Business and Economic Development from 2004 to 2005, and Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General from 2005 to 2008. Prior to entering provincial politics, he was a municipal councillor and mayor of Chilliwack.

Biography

[edit]

Born in Chilliwack,[1] Les was a partner in a local dairy, a real estate agent and the owner of a land development company.[3] He served as a municipal councillor in Chilliwack from 1984 to 1987.[1][4] With John Jansen resigning as mayor of Chilliwack following his election as MLA in 1986, Les won the 1987 mayoral by-election,[5] and served as mayor until 1999.[1][4] He ran for the Liberal Party of Canada in the 1997 federal election in the riding of Fraser Valley, but lost to Reform candidate Chuck Strahl.[6]

He was elected MLA in the 2001 provincial election representing the British Columbia Liberal Party in the newly established riding of Chilliwack-Sumas.[1][4] He was appointed to the cabinet by Premier Gordon Campbell in January 2004 to serve as Minister of Small Business and Economic Development.[7] Following his re-election in 2005, he was named Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.[7]

On March 28, 2008, Les resigned from his cabinet post pending the outcome of an investigation over allegations arising from his tenure as mayor of Chilliwack;[4] his appointment was officially rescinded by order-in-council on April 1.[7] A special prosecutor was appointed to look into a land deal that he was alleged to have benefited from. The investigation concluded in June 2010, with the special prosecutor stating there was no evidence to suggest that he used his public office to advance his personal interest.[8]

He was re-elected in the newly re-created Chilliwack riding in the 2009 election.[3] Ahead of the 2011 British Columbia sales tax referendum, Les was appointed as Parliamentary Secretary for Harmonized Sales Tax information in October 2010.[9] After Christy Clark took over as premier in March 2011, Les was named Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, and became a member of the Treasury Board and the Policies and Priorities Committee.[10]

During his time as MLA, he had chaired the Government Caucus, the Legislative Special Committee on the Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform and the Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs.[1] He was also a member of the Government Caucus Committee on Economy and Government Operations, the Select Standing Committee on Crown Corporations and the Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills.[3]

On August 30, 2012, Les announced that he would not seek re-election as MLA for Chilliwack in the 2013 general election.[11] In March 2014 the BC government announced the appointment of Les to lead a consultation on seismic preparedness, with an annual compensation of $140,000; the appointment was withdrawn shortly thereafter.[12]

He and his wife Mattie have been married since 1973; they have six children together.[1][3]

Election results (partial)

[edit]

Federal

[edit]
1997 Canadian federal election: Fraser Valley
Party Candidate Votes % Expenditures
Reform Chuck Strahl 33,101 62.85 $57,306
Liberal John Les 11,569 21.96 $63,061
New Democratic Rob Lees 4,680 8.88 $21,339
Progressive Conservative Harry Wiens 1,714 3.25 $6,999
Christian Heritage Rodger N. Brown 1,047 1.98 $23,870
Green Carol Battaglio 342 0.64
Natural Law Patrick Boylan 118 0.22 $5
Independent Sa Tan 95 0.18
Total valid votes 52,666 100.0  
Total rejected ballots 182 0.34
Turnout 52,848 67.02
This riding was re-created from Fraser Valley East and Fraser Valley West, both of which elected a Reform Party candidate. Chuck Strahl was the incumbent from Fraser Valley East.

Provincial

[edit]
2005 British Columbia general election: Chilliwack-Sumas
Party Candidate Votes %
Liberal John Les 11,995 57.36
New Democratic John-Henry Harter 6,477 30.97
Green Norm Siefken 1,731 8.28
Democratic Reform Brian Downey 315 1.51
Youth Coalition Augustine Lee 266 1.27
Moderates Adam James Solheim 127 0.61
Total 20,911 100.00

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Les, Hon. John (Chilliwack-Sumas) Minister of Small Business and Economic Development". Canadian Parliamentary Guide. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  2. ^ Sunday shopping Chilliwack's issue: [5* Edition] Barrett, Tom. The Vancouver Sun [Vancouver, B.C] February 13, 1987: B7.
  3. ^ a b c d "39th Parliament Members at dissolution on April 16, 2013: MLA: John Les". Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d "John Les: A Timeline". CTV News. April 1, 2008. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  5. ^ Lillicrap, Bill (February 18, 1987). "Les, Langbroek: Decisive wins". Chilliwack Progress. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  6. ^ "Profile - Fraser Valley, British Columbia (1997-04-27 - 2004-05-22)". Parliament of Canada. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c "Campbell Cabinet: 37th Parliament 2001-2005, 38th Parliament 2005-2009, 39th Parliament 2009-2011" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  8. ^ "Ex-BC solicitor general cleared in land deal probe". CBC News. June 25, 2010. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  9. ^ "Campbell rolls out new B.C. cabinet". CBC News. October 25, 2010. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  10. ^ Freeman, Robert (March 15, 2011). "Chilliwack MLA holds 'influential' posts in new B.C. government". Chilliwack Progress. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  11. ^ "Chilliwack MLA John Les won't run for re-election". Chilliwack Progress. August 30, 2012. Retrieved May 14, 2015.
  12. ^ "Liberals withdraw John Les $140K patronage appointment". CBC News. March 12, 2014. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
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