Jeff's Life Story

           Jeff McLaren was born in Regina, Saskatchewan and raised in Victoria B.C. He has a wide-ranging post-secondary education including; Economics, Political Science, Philosophy, and Engineering.

           Jeff started studying mechanical engineering at the University of Victoria in 1989. Engineering gave Jeff a foundation in science and practical problem solving. Then in 1993, he began studying philosophy at the Dominican University College in Ottawa. At the time he was contemplating joining the Dominican Order. Following a formative but brief four years living and studying with the Dominican friars Jeff learned about higher order values that make life worth living.

           After Graduating from the Dominican University College 1997 with a Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours), B.Ph, Jeff got his first research job in Rome, Italy. Working under Fernand Tanguay, the Canadian ambassador to the Holy See, Jeff had the privilege of researching the history of Canada-Vatican relations from primary documents in the Vatican Secret Archives. He also spent a summer gaining a cultural education as he backpacked across Europe.

           On his return to Canada Jeff began studying economics and political science at the University of Ottawa, graduating in 2000 with two Bachelors of Social Science degrees; one in economics and the other in political science.

           Jeff also has an entrepreneurial streak. He has run several businesses since he was 22. First, in Victoria, he started in the trades with a residential painting business. Then, in Ottawa, after he moved on from the Dominican Order but before furthering his education, he got into the property management business; owning and managing two residential rental buildings. Then starting in 2003, for most of his nine years living in Korea, he was self-employed as a private tutor. Upon returning to Canada, Jeff reentered the residential rental property management business in Kingston.

           Jeff a proud property owner in Meadowbrook-Strathcona. Jeff sits on KFL&A Public Health Board and on the Police Services Board. In addition to his City commitments, Jeff is the founder and moderator of the Philosophy Hammer, a local philosophy discussion club, and he volunteers at the Seniors Centre, the Oasis Senior Support Living Program and at Collins Bay Institution (medium), where he teaches philosophy. You can read more about Jeff and the Philosophy Hammer at a Whig Standard story entitled: Philosophy club takes "hammer" to new ideas.

           Jeff always makes himself available to constituents every Sunday from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Kingston Coffee House in the Kingston Centre.