Maxine Wilson

Background

Born in 1946 in Portland, Oregon, Wilson grew up on a family farm.

Career

The family settled in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, where her father bought a farm. From 1969 to 1975, she worked as an elementary school teacher. She joined the first formal Parent Advisory Council (Public Affairs Committee) in Coquitlam, and in 1988 took part in the last Sullivan Royal Commission on Education.

In the same year, Wilson founded the British Columbia Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils and became a school trustee.

Her position on the School District 43 School Board lasted ten years, four in which she chaired. She lost the 2008 race to Richard Stewart.

Achievements

• In 1998, she was elected to the Coquitlam City Council, and in 2005 won a close race for mayoralty against incumbent mayor Jon Kingsbury.