Forbes has been a volunteer for his local community association, the Sasktel Saskatchewan Jazz Fest, and as a coach of youth football and softball.
[4] During his time as a back-bencher, Forbes was Legislative Secretary for School PLUS and sat on the Standing Committees for the Crown Corporations and Agriculture.
During his tenure, he released Caring for Natural Environments: A Biodiversity Action Plan for Saskatchewan's Future 2004-2009, the first major environmental blueprint in Western Canada.
"[10] As Minister of Labour, Forbes was responsible for implementing Saskatchewan's newest holiday - Family Day[11] and the Improving Work Opportunities Report[12][13] which included raising the provincial minimum wage to LICO standards.
Forbes sat as the Opposition critic for Social Services, Disabilities, Housing and the Community Based Organization Sector.
[15] In April 2011, Forbes introduced a second Private Member's Bill, "The Saskatchewan Respectful Language Act," which would see phrases and words such as 'mental retardation,' 'retarded' or 'retard' found in government legislation, regulations and materials replaced with the use of 'intellectual disability.
[17] Forbes received the Francis Schaan Award from People First Saskatchewan for his "outstanding commitment to promote respectful language in government."
In December 2011, Forbes introduced Jimmy's Law, a bill to help protect workers' physical safety during late-night shifts.
[19] The Law's namesake is Jimmy Ray Wiebe who was shot twice in the early morning hours of June 20, 2011 during his late night shift at a gas station in Yorkton.
The bill required employers to either schedule a minimum of two employees for late night shifts or ensure that an individual worker is safe behind a locked door or barrier.
[19] In November 2012, Forbes' hard work led to an increase in safety regulations for late-night retail workers.
[20] The government added new regulations that include a check-in system and personal emergency transmitters for all employees working alone in late-night retail establishments.
Party government’s planned overhaul of all workplace and employment laws and its controversial discussion paper guiding the process.
[23] As Ethics critic Forbes raised several questions surrounding cabinet Minister June Draude’s travel expenses while on a trip to London, England in 2014, asking “Did she use the limo service for sightseeing or shopping with her friends?".
Forbes added his voice to the pressure from the community and in December 2014, the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code was amended to include 'gender identity' as a prohibited ground.
[14] Forbes remained as critic for Labour, Ethics & Democracy, Equality and Human Rights and as Caucus Chair until 2019 serving 8 years in that position.
[35] The Opposition had raised concerns over the government’s handling of issues coming from the northern village of Pinehouse regarding alleged mismanagement, disregard of FOI requests and inappropriate relations with the Sask.
[36] As Ethics critic, Forbes raised this issue 8 times in Question Period and wrote to the Conflict of Interest Commissioner twice.
Pratt argued SEA did not give job protection for First Nations people who sought election on their Band Council.
[50] Forbes, after being convinced by Nicole White and Jai Richards that fairness for queer parents was acutely needed, introduced The All Families are Equal Act.
[52] In March 2020, The Covid-19 Pandemic hit hard forcing a provincial lockdown including the closure of the legislative spring session.
When the Legislature re-opened in June, Forbes introduced a Private Members bill calling for better WCB protection for workers.