Current job title: Adjunct Professor, SFU School of Resource and Environmental Management

Key interest areas: public policy development | climate and ecosystem health | land use decision-making | multi-party collaboration | renewable energy

George Heyman served seven years as BC’s minister of environment and climate change strategy, two of those also responsible for TransLink. He oversaw development of the province’s CleanBC climate and energy plan, conservation initiatives and environmental assessment legislation. As a member of Cabinet’s Planning and Priorities committee and Treasury Board he helped set BC’s legislative, social and economic agenda.

George previously was president of the BC General Employees’ Union, then executive director of Sierra Club BC, and recently served as a special advisor to BC’s finance minister. He has been a member of advisory committees for SFU’s Masters in Public Policy program and Royal Roads School of Leadership Studies, and is a guest lecturer at SFU and UBC and a resource person for SFU’s Scaling Up Social Infrastructure project.

George has worked throughout his career to promote social and environmental sustainability, equitable economics and communities that are welcoming, livable and affordable. George hopes his experience in public policy development and implementation will add value to SPPGA and he welcomes new opportunities to mentor, advise and help educate students.