Fraser, John

The Honourable John A. Fraser was born in Japan and raised in Vancouver. He graduated from the University of British Columbia and practised law until his election to the House of Commons, serving there in key positions, including Minister for the Environment and Minister of Fisheries. He was the first person to have been elected Speaker of the House of Commons by his peers, a practice instituted in 1986.

In 1994, John Fraser chaired the Fraser River Sockeye Public Review Board investigating the salmon fishery and subsequently represented Canada as Ambassador for the Environment. In September 1998, John Fraser was appointed Chair of the Pacific Fisheries Resource Conservation Council and remained in that position until April 2005 when he became Chair of the BC Pacific Salmon Forum. He continues to serve as an active PFRCC member.

John Fraser is a Queen's Counsel, an officer of the Order of Canada and a member of the Order of British Columbia, and he holds the Canadian Forces Decoration for his service in the Seaforth Highlanders Regiment. He was awarded honorary Doctor of Laws degrees by Simon Fraser University, St. Lawrence University and the University of British Columbia in recognition of his dedication to conservation.