• First elected Member of Parliament for Burnaby-New Westminster in 2004, and re-elected in 2006 and again in 2008.
• Served as Critic on International Trade, Gateways and the Vancouver 2010 Olympics in 39th Parliament; Critic on Globalization, the Treasury Board, Natural Resources, Transportation and Persons with Disabilities in 38th Parliament.
• Ranked fifth of 308 MPs in crafting of Private Member’s legislation in 39th Parliament including tougher drunk driving laws and eliminating toxic substances found in fire retardants.
• Prominent critic of Harper Conservatives’ softwood lumber sellout. Called "the Iron Man" by CTV’s David Akin for determination to stop the sellout.
• Previously a financial administrator, community activist and manual labourer. Served as Executive Director of Council of Canadians ¬(founding member) and former Executive Director of the Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (WIDHH).
• Instrumental in building the British Columbia Disability Employment Network
• Former National Policy Coordinator and Assistant and Acting Federal Secretary of the New Democratic Party of Canada.

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