Gregor Robertson (politician) - Background

Background

In 1982 he graduated from Carson Graham Secondary School and enrolled at the University of British Columbia. However, he later transferred to Colorado College. At Colorado College, he completed a BA in English and Biology. After graduating, he intended to become a medical doctor, going so far as pursuing a medical fellowship at Stanford University. Yet upon application, the University of British Columbia medical school denied him admission. His rejection both relieved and surprised him. It made him question his purpose, ambitions and goals. After some soul-searching, he cowboyed in the Cariboo and accompanied by his wife, sailed the Pacific for 18 months. They eventually settled in New Zealand. It was in New Zealand that he began farming and was immediately attracted to it. However, when he turned 25, he decided to return to Canada, where he purchased acreage in Glen Valley near Fort Langley. He made his living as a farmer. Robertson went on to co-found Happy Planet, a Vancouver-based company that produces and markets organic fruit beverages. He was named one of Canada's "Top 40 under 40" by The Globe and Mail.

Gregor Robertson was a Tides Canada director from 2002 until 2004 when he entered politics with the provincial New Democratic Party.

He was elected to the Legislative Assembly in the 2005 election as a member of the British Columbia New Democratic Party after defeating trade union leader Judy Darcy in a high profile battle for the party's nomination. He then defeated Liberal Virginia Greene in the general election. During his time as the MLA for Vancouver-Fairview, Robertson served as the Opposition Critic for Small Business. He also served as the Co-Chair of the Caucus Climate Change Taskforce.