Brent Colbert

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Brent Colbert

Brent Colbert (Pronounced Bren Col-Bear) (born November 28, 1969) is a Canadian conservative public polcy advisor born in Gatineau (Hull), Quebec.

Colbert began a career in politics in Ottawa in 1984 working for the newly elected government of Brian Mulroney as a summer student. He held various positions until the government was defeated in 1993.

In 1995 Colbert moved to Toronto to work for the Mike Harris government at Queen's Park. He was an advisor to The Hon. Jim Wilson Minister of Health, The Hon. Norman Sterling Minister of Environment and the Hon Brenda Elliott Minister of Community Family and Children’s’ Services over an 8 year period.

During Colbert’s 23 years in conservative politics he has held many roles including regional organizer, campaign manager and candidate for nomination in his riding of Halton.

Colbert is a passionate advocate for children's issues including access to treatment for autistic children, parental choice for child care and expanding access to adoption.

Colbert has appeared on several radio, television, and newspaper reports providing comment on contentious issues.

Colbert spent three years as a stay-at-home father, writer and editor of Colbert Report Blog, a daily commentary on the issues of the day.

He and his family returned to Ottawa in October 2005.

In the fall of 2006 he was hired to be policy director for the Larry O'Brien (Canadian politician) for mayor campaign. Mr. O'Brien was in third place behind incumbent Mayor Bob Chiarelli and former Regional Councillor Alex Munter. By developing a more consistent message for O'Brien, Colbert was credited with helping the third place candidate move from 7% in the polls to capturing 47% of the vote on election day. He is currently employed in the Office of the Mayor of Ottawa Larry O'Brien as chief policy advisor.

With the departure of O'Brien's Chief of Staff Walter Robinson and his Communications Advisor Mike Patton, it is expected that Colbert will fill those roles in an interim basis.

With the departure of David Gibbons from Mayor O'Brien's staff, Colbert remains as the only remaining member of O'Brien's election team.

Colbert is married to his wife Lynn and has two daughters ages 6 and 3.