Pat Bell was appointed Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation on March 14, 2011. He was re-elected for a third term as MLA for Prince George - Mackenzie in 2009. He was previously elected MLA for Prince George –North in 2001 and 2005, respectively. Pat previously served as Minister of Forests, Mines and Lands, Minister of 

Forests and Range, Minister of Agriculture and Lands and as Minister of State for Mining. He is currently the Co-Chair of the Small Business Roundtable and is the Chair of the Cabinet Committee on Jobs and Economic Growth. He is also a member of the Priorities and Planning Committee as well as the Environment and Land Use Committee. Prior to becoming an MLA, Pat served on the Board of Directors for Tourism Prince George. He has worked in the hospitality business his entire life, both at the corporate level and as a small business owner. He has also owned a trucking company and co-owned a logging company. Born in Vancouver and educated at the University of British Columbia, Pat has lived in Prince George since 1988. He and his wife Brenda have three children.