Father God, we thank You for MLA: Hon. Don McRae and his family. Thank You for his life and his willingness to serve his community and our province. We pray You will give him strength in his many responsibilities, courage to lead and wisdom in making right decisions. In addition, we pray blessing and protection over his wife and young family. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Don McRae was re-elected on May 14, 2013 as MLA for Comox Valley. He was appointed Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation on June 10, 2013.
Don is a member of the Priorities and Planning Committee and Cabinet Committee on Secure Tomorrow.
Don has previously served as Minister of Education, Minister of Agriculture, and Convener of the Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs. He was a member of the Select Standing Committee on Children and Youth, the Select Standing Committee on Health, and the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services.
Don was born and raised in the Comox Valley. For 14 years he taught at GP Vanier Secondary School. Aside from teaching Social Studies, Military History, and Psychology, he has also served as a rugby coach, athletic director, department chair, and Staff Leadership Committee Chair.
Don has served as a Courtenay City Councillor for seven years. During his time on council, he has served as a municipal director for both the Comox Strathcona Regional District and the newly restructured Comox Valley Regional District. He has also been a member of the Comox Strathcona Hospital Board, vice-chair of the Comox Valley Sewer and Water Committees, and a number of community organizations and boards. In 2008, he was appointed by Premier Campbell to the Citizens’ Conservation Council.
He is an avid jogger and enjoys hiking and fly fishing. Don has been married to his wife Deanne for 14 years and they have two daughters, Gracie and Chloe.