Stan Hagen was appointed Minister of Tourism, Sport and the Arts on Aug. 15, 2006.

Mr. Hagen had previously served as Minister of Children and Family Development, Minister of Human Resources and Minister of Sustainable Resource Management.

First elected in 1986, he represented the riding of Comox until 1991. He returned to politics in 2001 and was re-elected in the riding of Comox Valley, where he was re-elected again in 2005.

Through his political career, Mr. Hagen has also served as Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries; Advanced Education, Job Training, Science and Technology; Regional and Economic Development; Education and Minister of State for the Vancouver Island/Coast Region. He chaired the Canadian Council of Ministers of Education and was a member of six cabinet committees. Mr. Hagen was instrumental in the creation of Science World and introduced the Scientist in the Classroom program. The Passport to Education program, which still runs today, was also introduced under Mr. Hagen’s tenure.

He is the recipient of a honourary doctor of laws degree from Simon Fraser University.

Mr. Hagen has been a resident of the Comox Valley since 1968. He worked in the construction industry as a comptroller and later started an independent ready-mix company. Prior to his re-election in 2001, he was the general manager of a local paving company.

Mr. Hagen was a board member and fundraiser for the Courtenay Youth Music Camp; co-ordinator for Big Brothers in the Comox Valley and founding president of the Comox Valley Community Foundation. He was the west coast regional chair of the Salmon Enhancement Project; treasurer of Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce and served as a Comox Valley School board chair and trustee from 1972-1978.

Stan and Judy Hagen still live in Courtenay and have five children.