Career
Since 2001, Bennett has represented the riding of East Kootenay in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. He previously served as Minister for Community Sport and Cultural Development, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Minister of Community and Rural Development, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, and Minister of State for Mining. Bennett has chaired the British Columbia Legislative Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services, and chaired the British Columbia Legislative Special Committee on Cosmetic Pesticides.
Before being elected, Bennett was a partner in a law firm in Cranbrook.
He also owned and operated fly-in wilderness fishing and hunting lodges in the Northwest Territories and Manitoba. Background:
In 1976, Bennett earned an honours degree in English from the University of Guelph.
In 1992, he received a law degree from Queen"s University. He practiced law in Cranbrook, British Columbia for some time before becoming elected an Modern Language Association for East Kootenay in 2001.
On June 16, 2005, Bennett was appointed to cabinet as British Columbia"s Minister of State for Mining.
He resigned from this position on February 6, 2007. On June 23, 2008, Bennett was re-appointed to cabinet as British Columbia"s Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts. He was re-elected in May, 2009.
In June 2009, he was appointed as British Columbia"s Minister of Community & Rural Development.
In June 2010, he was appointed as British Columbia"s Minister of Energy where he served until November 17, 2010. In June 2013, he was appointed as British Columbia"s Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Core Review.
