Rafe Mair

Vocation

Canadian lawyer, political commentator and former radio personality. His political career began in 1975, when he was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) of the British Columbia Social Credit Party representing the riding of Kamloops. He held that seat until retiring from politics in 1981. Mair served as a cabinet minister in the government of Premier Bill Bennett under a variety of portfolios including health and education. During the patriation of the Constitution of Canada, he was BC's chief delegate on constitutional matters. In 1981, he left government and has since served as a radio talk show host in Vancouver. In the early 1990s, he gained national notoriety and support alike for his role as an outspoken opponent of both the Meech Lake and Charlottetown constitutional accords. Despite high ratings, his show was cancelled by CKNW in 2003, and he was subsequently hired at CKBD (600 AM), an oldies station, to start a morning talk show. This job ended in late 2005. In the Fall of 2005 he became a regular commentary guest on Omni Television's prime time current affairs program, The Standard. Mair contributed three commentaries a week until January 2006 when the Commentary segment of the program was axed. However, he has continued his relationship with The Standard, guest-hosting the program from time to time. He is an avid fisherman and he has become an outspoken critic of salmon farming in BC. This often puts him at odds with former political colleagues and makes him allies with former political enemies such as the New Democratic Party of British Columbia. Although he has traditionally been considered a political conservative, Mair's views have always been moderate on certain issues, notably the environment and social welfare. Disillusioned with the three mainstream federal parties, he has lately become a significant supporter of the Green Party. Mair was the spokesperson for a group organized to fight private run of the river hydroelectric developments named Save Our Rivers. Mair has authored several books on Canadian politics, including his memoirs and is a regular columnist at the online newsmagazine The Tyee. Link to Wikipedia biography