Bill Bennett (Liberal MLA)

William Bennett (born 1950) is a Canadian former politician. From 2001 until 2017, Bennett represented the riding of East Kootenay in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. He is a member of the British Columbia Liberal Party and was appointed as Minister of Energy and Mines, and Minister Responsible for Core Review on June 10, 2013 by Premier Christy Clark. He previously served as Minister for Community Sport and Cultural Development, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Minister of Community and Rural Development, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, and Minister of State for Mining. Bennett has chaired the BC Legislative Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services, and chaired the BC Legislative Special Committee on Cosmetic Pesticides. He has been a member of various legislative committees and government committees, particularly focused on land use and natural resource issues. Before being elected, Bennett was a partner in a law firm in Cranbrook. He also owned and operated fly-in wilderness fishing and hunting lodges in the Northwest Territories and Manitoba.

Not to be confused with former premier Bill Bennett.
For other people named William Bennett, see William Bennett (disambiguation).

Bill Bennett
Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly
for Kootenay East
East Kootenay (2001-2009)
In office
May 16, 2001 – May 9, 2017
Preceded byErda Walsh
Succeeded byTom Shypitka
Minister of State for Mining
of British Columbia
In office
June 16, 2005 – February 7, 2007
PremierGordon Campbell
Preceded byPat Bell
Succeeded byKevin Krueger
Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts of British Columbia
In office
June 23, 2008 – June 10, 2009
PremierGordon Campbell
Preceded byStan Hagen
Succeeded byKevin Krueger
Minister of Community and Rural Development of British Columbia
In office
June 10, 2009 – June 11, 2010
PremierGordon Campbell
Preceded byKevin Krueger
Succeeded byBen Stewart
Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
of British Columbia
In office
June 11, 2010 – October 25, 2010
PremierGordon Campbell
Preceded byBlair Lekstrom
Succeeded byBill Bennett
Minister of Energy of British Columbia
In office
October 25, 2010 – November 17, 2010
PremierGordon Campbell
Preceded byBill Bennett
Succeeded bySteve Thomson
Personal details
Born1950
OccupationLawyer and Politician; B.C. Minister of Energy and Mines

Background

In 1976, Bennett earned an honours degree in English from the University of Guelph. In 1992, he received a law degree from Queen's University. He practiced law in Cranbrook, British Columbia for some time before becoming elected an MLA for East Kootenay in 2001.

On June 16, 2005, Bennett was appointed to cabinet as B.C.'s Minister of State for Mining. He resigned from this position on February 6, 2007.

On June 23, 2008, Bennett was re-appointed to cabinet as B.C.'s Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts. He was re-elected in May, 2009.

In June 2009, he was appointed as B.C.'s Minister of Community & Rural Development.

In June 2010, he was appointed as B.C.'s Minister of Energy where he served until November 17, 2010.

In June 2013, he was appointed as B.C.'s Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Core Review.

Electoral record
2013 British Columbia general election: Kootenay East
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalBill Bennett10,25262.99+11.78$126,532
New DemocraticNorma Blissett6,02337.01+1.39$74,121
Total valid votes 16,275100.00
Total rejected ballots 1380.84
Turnout 16,41353.41
Source: Elections BC[1]


  1. "Statement of Votes - 40th Provincial General Election" (PDF). Elections BC. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
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