About Michael

Michael has lived in West Vancouver for over 45 years. 

His wife, Gillian, worked in the community as a ceramic 

artist and their children, Simon and Chloe now 

live in Calgary and Nelson, B.C. They have five 

grandchildren.

 

Michael was elected West Vancouver Councillor in 

2008 - 2011 and, as one of four new Councillors, joined 

a progressive elected team supported by an 

equally progressive senior management 

team. During that term, his appointments included:

 

MUNICIPAL

 • Financial Committee ( co-chair)

 • Audit Committee

 • Community Engagement

 • Lower Caulfeild Advisory Committee

 • Design Review Committee

 

WORKING GROUPS

 • Arts and Culture

 • Housing Pilot Project

 • Land Trust Task Force

 

METRO VANCOUVER

 • Lower Mainland Treaty Advisory Committee

 

EXPERIENCE AND BALANCE

Michael is a retired Financial Professional, previously a FCCA (Fellow, Chartered Association of Certified Accountants in the UK). His career included positions in property development, forestry, hospitality and President of Calibre Consultants Inc.—a diversified company specializing in financing corporations.

 

In 1990 he left the financial field and started Calibre Landscaping—an environmentally sensitive garden design and construction company still in existence today.

 

CIVIC LEADERSHIP

Michael has an outstanding record of participation over the past two decades. He has represented his community at all levels and in most fields. He is dedicated to improving life in his community and has given freely of his time and advice in pursuit of enhancing quality of life for everyone.

 

• West Vancouver Standing Committee of Council, Recreation Facility Planning, Member.

• West Vancouver OCP Review Group, Member

• Gleneagles Community Centre Design Committee, Member

• West Vancouver Parks and Community Services Commission, Chair

• Centre for Art, Architecture and Design, Co-Chair

• West Vancouver Civic Centre Advisory Group, Member

• Fund To Purchase Sylvia Tate artwork for Aquatic Centre, Chair

• Heritage Advisory Committee, Member

• Winter Song Festival, Founding Director

• Lighthouse Park Management Committee, Member

• Ambleside Revitalization Committee, Member

• Invasive Species Working Group, Co-Chair

 

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

Michael has been an active community leader for over 30 years with a track record coaching sports teams, youth groups, school and community groups and his own unwavering interest in music, choral groups, sailing, recreation and gardening. He has also been a passionate advocate for conservation issues.

 

• West Vancouver Garden Club, President

• North Shore Chorus, President

• West Vancouver Band Association, Chair

• West Vancouver Arts Council, Director

• Western Residents Association, Director

• West Vancouver United Church, Member

• Coalition to Save Eagleridge Bluffs at Horseshoe Bay, Chair

 

 

BUSINESS LEADERSHIP

 

Michael has many years experience in business. His professional activities include:

 

•  West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, Vice President

•  B.C.L.N.A. Professional Landscapers, Chair

•  Downtown Vancouver Association, Past Vice President

•  Building Owners & Managers Association of B.C., Past President

 

FISCAL LEADERSHIP

 

An astute businessman, Michael combines proven exceptional leadership and business skills with a background in finance. He understands the necessity of balancing solid financial planning with sensible resource management. He is firmly committed to the position that the retention of community character with fiscally responsible development can be achieved with planning based in creative and imaginative effort.