ichael de Jong was re-elected as MLA for the new riding of Abbotsford West on May 12, 2009.

He was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in a 1994 by-election to represent the electoral district of Matsqui. He was re-elected in 1996 and again in 2001 to the new riding of Abbotsford-Mount Lehman, where he was again re-elected in 2005.

Minister de Jong previously served as Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation since Aug. 15, 2006. He has also served as Government House Leader.

Minister de Jong has previously served as Minister of Labour and Citizens’ Services and Minister of Forests. Prior to that, he was deputy house leader for the Official Opposition and served as a critic for a variety of portfolios.

Before his election, Minister de Jong practiced as a lawyer in his Abbotsford firm. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from Carleton University in Ottawa and a law degree from the University of Alberta.