MLA: John Les - Chilliwack

“I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” Hebrews 13:5 (NASB). Lord Jesus, we give thanks for MLA: John Les and are grateful for his many years of diligent public service to the people of both the Chilliwack area and to the entire province. We thank You for giving him the courage, wisdom, strength and insight needed to face all of the challenges along the way. May you continue to lead and guide him. We pray that during this next season he will sense You more than ever as a near and real presence in his life. Grant him and his entire family a joyous summer of refreshing and renewal. In the mighty name of Jesus we ask this. Amen
 
John Les is currently the Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier. He previously served as Parliamentary Secretary for HST Information to the Minister of Finance.

John was re-elected as MLA to represent the new riding of Chilliwack in the spring of 2009. He has also served as Solicitor General, and Minister of Small Business and Economic Development.

Mr. Les was first elected to represent the riding of Chilliwack-Sumas in 2001 and re-elected in 2005.

He served as Government Caucus Chair, and also chaired the Legislative Special Committee on the Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform. Mr. Les has served on the Government Caucus Committee on Economy and Government Operations, as well as the Select Standing Committee on Crown Corporations. He has also been chair of the Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, and was formerly a member of the Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills.

Before being elected to the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Les served for three years as a Chilliwack municipal councillor before he became Mayor from 1987 to 1999. During his 13 years as Mayor, he served on a number of bodies, including Chair of the Fraser Valley Regional District; Trustee of the Municipal Finance Authority of B.C.; Director of Union of BC Municipalities; and President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

In his private business career, Mr. Les was a partner in a Chilliwack dairy operation, an award-winning realtor, as well as the owner of a successful land development company

Mr. Les is an Honorary Rotarian, who was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship in recognition of his exemplary community service, by the Rotary Club of Chilliwack.

Mr. Les and his wife Mattie live in Chilliwack and have six children and 15 grandchildren.