He studied law at Dalhousie University and graduated from there in 1979. One year later he moved to Calgary, Alberta, and in 1983 he was elected to city council in Ward 7, where he served for six years while continuing to work as a lawyer.
A law graduate from Dalhousie University, he completed his studies in 1979. He then moved to Calgary, Alberta, the following year and was elected to city council in Ward 7 in 1983, where he served for six years while continuing to work as a lawyer.