Colin Hansen


Colin Hansen is a former provincial politician for the Canadian province of British Columbia from 1996 to 2013. Hansen's most recent cabinet position was Minister of Finance and Deputy Premier from June 10, 2009 to March 13, 2011. He had also served as Minister Responsible for Small Business since October 25, 2010. On November 30, 2010, he was additionally appointed as the Minister of Health Services.
Hansen's previous portfolios include Minister of Finance ; Minister of Health Services ; and Minister of Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Asia-Pacific Initiative and the Olympics. He served as health critic, as well as the critic for employment and investment, and labour for the Official Opposition between 1996 and 2001.
Hansen was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in 1996 to serve in the riding of Vancouver-Quilchena. Before being elected to the legislature, he and wife, Laura, were co-founders of Image Group, a Vancouver-based promotional products company. He previously served as vice-president of finance and administration for the Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada.

Post-politics

After politics, Hansen served as the President of AdvantageBC, a non-government organization dedicated to promoting British Columbia as a place for international business.
He serves on several not-for-profit boards including serving as Chair of the Fraser Basin Council, Honorary Governor of the Vancouver Foundation, Arthritis Research Canada, Jack Austin School of Asia Pacific Business Studies and the Canada-Japan Society.
Hansen has participated on a politics panel for CBC Vancouver's radio show CBC Early Edition.

Early life and education

Hansen was born and raised on Vancouver Island. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Victoria.