Lord, surround MLA Rich Coleman today and in the coming days with Your wisdom and guidance as he experiences transitions at the legislature. May his thoughts and plans be established by You. Give him the ability to discern what is of real value. May he be filled with compassion and be aware of the needs of the people in his constituency and how to meet them. Bless his family members and may love and faithfulness never leave them. May he win favor and a good name with all people. Amen
Rich Coleman was re-elected for a sixth term as MLA for Langley East in 2017.
Rich has served as Minister of Energy and Mines and Deputy Premier, Minister of Natural Gas Development and Minister Responsible for Housing; Minister of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas and Minister Responsible for Housing, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General and Minister Responsible for Housing, Minister of Housing and Social Development; and Minister of Forests and Range.
He served as vice-chair of the Cabinet Working Group on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and the Priorities and Planning Committee and was a member of the Treasury Board, the Cabinet Committee on Strong Economy, the Environment and Land Use Committee, and the Cabinet Working Group on Climate Leadership. He was also the B.C. Military Liaison with the Canadian Armed Forces.
Rich’s dedication and passion for public service was shaped by his parents – his father was a civil servant and his mother was a school teacher. They taught their children that community came first, and that serving others was the noblest thing a person could commit themselves to. That community-first attitude has guided Rich his entire life.
Before entering public life, Rich was governor of the BC Kinsmen, president of the Aldergrove Chamber of Commerce, Langley’s 1988 Volunteer of the Year, and a director on several volunteer boards. As a member of the Aldergrove Kinsmen Club in the 1980s, Rich oversaw the volunteer fundraising and construction efforts that built the Aldergrove Kinsmen Community Centre, a vital community facility that houses a preschool, library, workout area, and meeting space. The club was also involved in building a successful housing project in Aldergrove. Rich is now a life member of the organization.
In recognition of his tireless and long-term work in the community, Rich has been awarded both the Rotary’s top honour, the Paul Harris Fellowship, and the Kinsmen’s highest honour, the Hal Rogers Fellowship. Rich was the second person ever honoured with the Hal Rogers Fellowship – the first being Kin founder Hal Rogers himself.
Rich and his wife Michele live in the Fraser Valley.