Career
He was first elected in 1996 and was re-elected in 2001, 2005, 2009 and 2013. Coleman is also Government House Leader. He previously served as Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Minister of Forests and Range, Minister Responsible for Housing, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General and Minister of Housing and Social Development.
From 1996 to 2001, Coleman served in a variety of Official Opposition roles, including housing critic, forests deputy critic, and caucus whip.
He also sat on the Official Opposition Caucus Committee on Crime. Coleman has served as governor of the British Columbia Kinsmen, president of the Aldergrove Chamber of Commerce, and as a director on several volunteer boards.
Before his election to the Legislative Assembly, Coleman ran a real estate management and consulting company. Coleman graduated from Penticton Secondary School in 1971.
On December 1, 2010, Coleman announced to the media he had decided not to enter the provincial Liberal leadership race to replace retiring British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell.
Coleman indicated he had planned to announce his run on Thursday, had Modern Language Association support and campaign funds, but decided not to pursue the post due to family reasons.