A caucus member of the British Columbia Liberal Party, he served in several cabinet posts under premiers Gordon Campbell and Christy Clark.

Born in Vancouver, Bell graduated from Lord Byng Secondary School in 1975 before attending the University of British Columbia.

[3] He was appointed to the cabinet by Premier Gordon Campbell in January 2004 to serve as Minister of State for Mining.

[4] He was re-elected MLA in 2009 in the newly established riding of Prince George-Mackenzie and retained his cabinet post, which expanded in scope in October 2010 as he became Minister of Forests, Mines and Lands.

[4][5] After Christy Clark took over as premier in March 2011, Bell was named Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation.