Brian was born and raised on a fourth generation family farm southwest of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. He graduated with degrees in Arts and Education from Brandon University, where he was a member of the U of B Bobcats basketball team.

Brian taught high school in rural Manitoba and later founded Pallister Insurance and Financial Services in 1980. Based in Portage la Prairie, this company grew to be a leader in farm estate and retirement planning, with offices across southern Manitoba.

Brian was elected to the Manitoba Legislature in October 1992.

He introduced, as a Private Member’s statement, the resolution that became Manitoba’s Balanced Budget, Debt Repayment and Taxpayer Protection Act. Brian’s commitment to protecting taxpayers helped Manitoba earn the distinction of having the toughest balanced budget legislation in Canada. With what came to be known as the “Pallister Clause,” the Province of Manitoba passed law to cut Cabinet Ministers’ salaries by 20 per cent in the event they didn’t balance the books in any given year. Manitoba has since passed four consecutive balanced budgets and the province has entered its eleventh year of a tax freeze..

While Minister of Government Services, Brian reduced waste, duplication and overlap in government services, improving service and

cost-effectiveness through teamwork and better communication within the department.

During his tenure, Manitoba achieved the lowest-cost government in Canada. Brian served as chair of the Manitoba Government’s Advisory Panel on Business Regulations, where he worked aggressively to reduce barriers facing small business job creation.

A financial and estate planner by profession, Brian advocated MLA pension reform. Turning down the government pension himself, he worked to replace the existing plan with an RRSP option comparable to plans offered in the private sector.

Brian was elected to the House of Commons in December, 2000. He has served as Senior Opposition Critic For Regional Equity, Foreign Affairs, Indian Affairs and Northern Development and is presently the Critic for Human Resources Development Canada.

Brian demonstrates solid community values: giving freely to his community and province through professional, charitable and recreational activities with the Canadian Insurance Agents’ Advisory Council; Canadian Life Underwriters School; Portage and District Chamber of Commerce, Manitoba Chair of the Brandon University Foundation and as coach and executive member of various sports teams. He is a member of the Brandon University Basketball Hall of Fame, is a former Manitoba Mixed Curling Champion and has recently been elected to the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame. Brian is a 49-year-old father of two; married to Esther, dad to Quinn and Shawn.

PROFESSION

Elected to the House of Commons in December 2000.

Founded Pallister Insurance and Financial Services.

EDUCATION

Degrees in Arts and Education from Brandon University.

PERSONAL

Brian is a father of two; married to Esther, dad to Quinn and Shawn.