MLA Hon. Rich Coleman Fort Langley-Aldergrove Minister of Housing and Social Development

Heavenly Father, we thank You that You have called Rich Coleman to serve all the people of BC. We pray that You would continue to use his training and experience to fulfill Your purpose in the many tasks he is required to perform. Give him wisdom, strength, peace and the ability to discern Your perfect will each day. Bless him with quality time for his home and family and protect them, Lord. Give him favour with his constituents and his colleagues as he does the job You have called him to do. Provide him with the support of good employees and those in positions which would enable him to do things in the way the job requires. We ask it in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord.

Rich Coleman has been British Columbia’s Minister of Housing and Social Development since 2008. Under his leadership, the provincial government has launched efforts to curb homelessness, including programs like Housing Matters, family and seniors rental assistance programs, and buying, renovating, and managing single-room occupancy apartments.

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 which houses a preschool, library, workout area, and meeting space. The Club was also involved in building a successful housing project in Aldergrove. Rich is a life member of the Kinsmen.

In recognition of his tireless and long-term work in the community, Rich has been awarded both 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—the first being Kin founder Hal Rogers himself.

Rich has been elected four times (1996, 2001, 2005, and 2009) as MLA for Fort Langley-Aldergrove. He has previously served as Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, and Minister of Forests and Range. He and his wife Michele live in the Fraser Valley.