We pray abundant blessings on MLA: Bill Routley today as he continues to vie for fairness and justice and common good for all as Opposition Deputy Critic of Forestry. Father, we give thanks for his integrity and honesty which is always evident as he deals with issues of the day. We pray for strength, health and happiness as he liberally gives of himself and family to serve in the legislature. We pray this in the strong Name of Jesus.
Bill Routley was re-elected as MLA for Cowichan Valley in May 2013. He lives in Duncan and is very familiar with the Cowichan Valley as he has watched the area’s communities grow since he was a young man.
Bill serves as Opposition Deputy Critic for Forestry.
Bill began his career in the forest industry working at the Youbou Sawmill where he served as safety chairman, and then as plant chairman. His passion for helping workers in the mid-Island area earned him election as president of IWA Local 1-80; now USW-Steelworkers Local 1-1937. Eighteen years later, he is now the longest-serving elected president in that union.
Bill served as a pension trustee on the IWA-Forest Industry Pension Plan and with others offered guidance for the management of billions of dollars in assets. He was a member of the IWA-Forest Industry Pension Audit Committee, and was a trustee on the IWA-Forest Industry Health and Welfare Benefit Plan. In addition to his commitment to union members, Bill’s service to the community includes five years as a school trustee in Lake Cowichan (1980-85).
Bill and his wife Charmaine enjoy the company of their two grown children, Noah and Alisha, who have provided the gift of five wonderful grandchildren. While Bill and Charmaine currently reside in Duncan, they started their family in Youbou and then lived at Marble Bay on Lake Cowichan for many years. Bill and Charmaine were very active in Lake Cowichan with their involvement in Boy Scouts (Beavers) and Girl Guides.
Bill and Charmaine understand small business, having owned a home decorating business, the Decorating Den, for many years in the 1990s.