George Abbott has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in politics and public service. Most recently, he was BC’s Minister of Education (2010-12), successfully launching such initiatives as the BC Teachers Council, the BC Education Plan and full-day kindergarten.
George also served as Minister of Health for four years (2005-09). His leadership in prevention, primary care, acute care, pharmaceutical management and health practitioner regulation helped establish BC as a leader in Canadian health care. He also served as Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation (2009-10), Minister of Sustainable Resource Management (2004-05) and Minister of Community, Aboriginal and Women’s Services (2001-04). From 1996 to 2001, George served as Deputy House Leader for the Official Opposition.
On George’s retirement, columnist Gary Mason of the Globe and Mail stated, “Abbott will go down as one of the most effective government ministers of the last three decades – or longer. Top notch in every way.” Prior to his election to the Legislature, he served for 17 years in local government including as Director and Chair of the Columbia-Shuswap Regional District and as a Councillor at the District of Sicamous. George was a Sessional Lecturer in Political Science at Okanagan University College from 1980 to 1996. He is currently a Sessional Lecturer at the University of Victoria and recently completed his PhD in Political Science.
