Former Premier of British Columbia (1991-1996)

Plenary Speaker

As a former mayor of Vancouver and Premier of British Columbia, Mike helped Canada’s westernmost Province and the City of Vancouver earn the reputation as one of the most livable places in the world. As Mayor and Alderman he offered a new concept of urban renewal that involved rehabilitation in the False Creek and Coal Harbour areas. Mike’s government established the Commission on Resources and the Environment, resulting in new guidelines for forest management and made a commitment to expand B.C.’s protected areas to 12% land base. He is Honorary co-chair at the University of British Columbia’s Advisory Council on sustainability; Chairman – Quality Urban Energy Systems of Tomorrow (QUEST); serves on City of Vancouver Greenest City Action Team and advisor to the City of Vancouver and High Growth Communities of the lower mainland; and consultant/advisor to Translink; Mike was honored to receive the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service and the Canadian Urban Institutes’ Jane Jacobs Lifetime Achievement Award. He speaks and advises on sustainable cities and communities worldwide.