His paternal grandparents were Mennonites from Russia who immigrated to Saskatchewan in 1925,[3] before settling in the Abbotsford region in 1951.
After retiring from politics, Siemens moved to Hong Kong in 1991 to do missionary work with a youth mission, with Teen Challenge in Macau, and taught English for a semester at Shenzhen University.
[10] Siemens placed fourth on the eight seat council race, winning 11,255 votes city-wide.
After his election as mayor, Siemens said his first priorities would be "working with council on a strategic plan and an extensive review of the official community plan", as well as to continue "to work with senior levels of government on future flood protection,... to better prepare for future Fraser River flooding,... the renovation of the Abbotsford Police Department headquarters, and intersection and overpass changes related to freeway improvements".
[11] As mayor, Siemens welcomed the clearing of the controversial Lonzo Road tent encampment, citing safety concerns.