Raised in Burnaby,[1] Young was first elected mayor of Port Coquitlam in 2001, after serving as City Councillor from 1996 to 2000 and a school board trustee prior to that.
In February, 2007, Young was arrested by local Royal Canadian Mounted Police for allegedly harassing his ex-girlfriend, Colleen Preston.
[3] Following his arrest, Young officially remained mayor of the city, as he was not required to step aside under the Province of British Columbia's Community Charter, legislation governing municipalities.
On July 25, 2008, the Provincial Court of British Columbia handed down a twelve-month conditional sentence and also a curfew of 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. except for two Mondays a month for Council meetings, when he must return to his residence by 10:30 p.m.
[5] During the sentence and the probationary period, Mayor Young could not contact or approach Ms. Preston or Mr. Shaw, consume alcoholic beverages or other drugs, or own or use a weapon.