About Bruce

Bruce was first elected to the House of Commons in January 2006 and was re-elected in October 2008.  He has served as Chair of the Standing Committee for Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development since the fall of 2008, and served previously on Committees for the Status of Women; Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics; and Industry, Science and Technology.

Prior to his election, Bruce worked in his family’s tourism business.  He was among the 5th generation of his family to own and operate a tourism business on Sparrow Lake since the family first developed a livelihood there in 1884. He is past-President of Bayview Wildwood Resorts Limited and The Cottages at Port Stanton on Sparrow Lake.

Throughout his career, Bruce was actively involved in promoting and advocating for the tourism industry and his local community.  He served on the Board of several tourism organizations including the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC), Resorts Ontario, and Tourism Ontario. Bruce served as Councillor in the Township of Severn from 1999 to 2003, as a member of the Rotary Clubs of Orillia and Washago, and Board member of the Orillia Community Futures Development Corporation from 1997 to 2001.

Bruce and Heather live near Coldwater with their two daughters Valerie and Lauren. Bruce has two adult children, each with their own families and they live and work in the community.