MLA: Dave S. Hayer - Surrey-Tynehead

 
Lord we thank You for MLA:Dave Hayer and his commitment to serve the people of Surrey as their MLA.  We thank You for his dedication and the many hours that he puts in to his work. We ask for a blessing on his family and that he would be encouraged and energized each day.  We also ask for Your protection over him and his family and that each day they may experience your peace. Amen.

Dave S. Hayer was first elected to the BC Legislature as MLA for the riding of Surrey-Tynehead in the 2001 provincial general election and was re-elected in 2005 and 2009.

Dave formerly served as the Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism, where he worked closely with the Minister of Science and Universities and Minister of Regional Economic and Skills Development, which is responsible for the Provincial Nominee Program.

Dave previously worked with the Hon. Moira Stillwell when she was Minister of Regional Economic and Skills Development. portfolio.

Dave also worked with the Hon. Mary McNeil when she was the Minister of Citizens' Services and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism and the Public Affairs Bureau, portfolio as well as with the Hon. Ben Stewart when he was Minister of Citizens’ Services and Multiculturalism. Dave is also a member of the Cabinet Committee on Economy, the Select Standing Committees on Health, Education and Legislative Initiatives as well as helping as Chair of the Committee of Supply.

In January 2007, Dave received a prestigious award from the Government of India. The Pravasi Bharatia Samman Award is annually given to people of Indian heritage, no longer living in India, who have achieved excellence in their chosen fields of endeavour. Dave was presented with the award for his "active leadership in the community, his contributions to public service and for his achievements in government". At the presentation ceremony, Dave was described as a "great friend of India and has been a strong voice in the Indo-Canadian community against terrorism and violence". He was the only Canadian among 15 people from other countries to be given the Pravasi Bharatia Samman Award this year. Dave is only the second Canadian to be presented with this honour. Dave received his award from Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, President of India, at a ceremony in New Delhi, India on January 9, 2007. In 2008 Dave was selected by the Vancouver Sun as one of the 100 top most influential Canadians of South Asian descent making a difference in BC.

Previously, Dave served as Chair of Surrey Caucus; Caucus Liaison for the Minister of State for Mental Health and Addictions Services; vice-chair of the Caucus Committee for Asian Economic Development; member of the Government Caucus Committee on Multiculturalism & Diversity and Government Caucus Committee on Health; member of the Cabinet Committee on Environment and Resource Development for the Ministry of Skills Development and Labour and Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management; member of the Select Standing Committees on Finance and Government Services, Education, and Aboriginal Affairs; the Special Committee to Review the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act; member of the Government Caucus Committee on Government Operations, Select Standing Committee member on Crown Corporations and Caucus Liaison for the Minister of State for Intermediate, Long Term and Home Care.

Before his election to public office, Dave was a Surrey businessperson, Assistant Publisher of the Indo-Canadian Times, Kwantlen University College Governor, real estate agent, and he worked in the newspaper and forestry industries and as labourer in a steel factory. Dave earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Simon Fraser University in 1982 and from 1981 to 1982 he completed taxation courses at the University of British Columbia. Dave served as the General Manager of the Canadian Accounting Aggregates Public Accountants from 1983 to 1988 following which he joined the Indo-Canadian Times.

Dave's current involvements include: member of the Rotary Club of Surrey, Surrey Chamber of Commerce and the Cloverdale Chamber of Commerce. Some previous business involvements include: BC Chamber of Commerce director (1999-2001); Surrey Chamber of Commerce president (1996-97), vice-president (1994-96), director (1992-94); Vancouver Board of Trade Small Business Council member (1995-2000); Indo-Canadian Business Association vice-president (1993-2000); Ethnic Press Association of BC vice-president (1994-99), treasurer/director (1991-99); and, City of Surrey Economic Development Strategy Advisory Committee member (1995-2000).

Some of Dave's former community involvements include: Rotary Club of Surrey president (1999-2000), vice-president (1996-98); Surrey Community Crime Prevention Society president (1995-96); South Fraser Child Development Centre Christmas Party chair (1988-2001); and Surrey & White Rock Home Support Association director (94-95). As well, Dave initiated the Surrey Police Officer of the Year Awards and initiated the building of the Surrey Chamber of Commerce Building.

Born in 1958 in India, Dave moved to Surrey in 1972 and into the Surrey-Tynehead constituency in 1991. He and Isabelle Martinez, who married in 1981, have four children. Dave enjoys working on community projects, reading, swimming and walking.