Pat was elected to the Nova Scotia Legislature in June 2006 where he served as Minister of Health Promotion & Protection/Sports & Recreation until 2009 and was Chair of the Progressive Conservative Caucus. A former teacher, Vice-Principal and Principal of Trenton Junior/Senior High School and Vice Principal of the North Nova Education Centre, Pat received his Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education and Masters of Education in Administration at Saint Francis Xavier University. Prior to his career in education, Pat worked for Higgins Construction, MacDougall Construction, Michelin Tire and Hawker Siddeley Trenton Plant. Pat has been involved with projects such as the Aberdeen Hospital parking lot and helipad, New Glasgow's downtown revitalization and the Pictou County Wellness Centre. For more than 38 years, Pat coached several local sports teams including the Pictou County Junior B Scotians. Pat grew up in Trenton. He and his wife Patsy raised their six children in New Glasgow.