Erik obtained his Juris Doctor from the Peter A. Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia. During law school, he worked with the Provincial Court of British Columbia as one of eight judicial interns assisting Provincial Court judges across the province. Erik also provided legal services through the Law Students’ Legal Advice Program to those who could not afford legal representation and received the program’s James W. N. Pozer Award for excellence in client service. For his academic achievement and community involvement, Erik received the Lawson Lundell Prize in Securities Regulation, Mel Beaton Memorial Award in Law, and Graduating Class of Law 1967 Award. Prior to law school, Erik obtained his Bachelor of Arts with a combined Honours Degree in Political Science with International Relations from the University of British Columbia, also completing a Minor in Economics and receiving the Political Science Gold Medal for most outstanding student in the graduating class. He has worked within the federal public service, first at the Canada Revenue Agency, and then at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Erik previously was a professional ballet dancer and instructor and continues to remain engaged in the arts community. In his spare time, Erik enjoys travelling, skiing, and reading about history and politics.