Bill Routley was elected MLA for Cowichan Valley on May 12, 2009. He is currently critic for Forests and Range and Integrated Land Management.

He lives in Duncan and is very familiar with the Cowichan Valley as he has watched the communities grow since he was a young man.

Bill began his career in the Forest industry working at the Youbou Sawmill where he became active first as the Safety Chairman, and then as Plant Chairman. Social activism felt comfortable for Bill and through his compassion for helping workers in the mid-Island area, he gained substantial support and was elected the President of IWA Local 1-80; now USW-Steelworkers Local 1-1937. Strong leadership allowed Bill to remain in this position for 18 years and he is now the longest serving elected President in that union.

Bill served as a Pension Trustee on the IWA-Forest Industry Pension Plan and with others offered guidance for the management of billions of dollars in assets. He was a member of the IWA-Forest Industry Pension Audit Committee, and was a Trustee on the IWA-Forest Industry Health and Welfare Benefit Plan. In addition to his commitment to his union members, Bill's service to the community includes five years as a School Trustee in Lake Cowichan (1980 -1985).

Bill and his wife Charmaine enjoy the company of their two grown children, son Noah and daughter Alisha who have provided the gift of five wonderful grandchildren; ages four to nine years. While Bill and Charmaine currently reside in Duncan, they started their family in Youbou and then lived at Marble Bay on Lake Cowichan for many years. Bill and Charmaine were very active in Lake Cowichan with their involvement in Boy Scouts(Beavers) and Girl Guides.

Bill and Charmaine understand small business having owned a home decorating business "Decorating Den" for many years in the 1990's.