Beech was born in Comox, British Columbia,[6] and moved to Victoria when he was one. His father worked as a janitor and his mother was a housewife. While in Victoria, Beech attended Arbutus Junior High School before moving on to Mount Douglas Senior Secondary School. He later moved to Nanaimo, where he attended John Barsby Secondary School[7]. While in grade 12, he coached the debate team and sat on the board of the Harewood Community Project Society.[citation needed]
Beech was elected to Nanaimo City Council in 1999 at age 18,[8] becoming British Columbia's youngest-ever elected official. While councillor, he sat on the Advisory Committee on the Environment, and the Joint Use Committee with School District 68 Nanaimo-Ladysmith. He served on the council for three years, and did not seek re-election, instead moving to Burnaby to pursue a degree at Simon Fraser University (SFU). After completing a joint major in business and economics there, he joined Aquilini Investment Group, working as director of business development until 2008.[9]
In 2006, Beech and his twin brother, Doug, founded a non-profit organization called Twinbro Local Leaders.[10] Twinbro was created to empower youth, and help them access post-secondary education, regardless of their social and economic background.[11]
While working on his MBA at Oxford University through their online offerings, Beech started tech company HiretheWorld. In 2010, HiretheWorld won the BCIC New Ventures Competition, and in 2012, it was named one of BC Business Magazine's top 20 most innovative companies.[12]
Beech has taught entrepreneurship and finance courses as an adjunct professor at SFU[13] and the University of British Columbia,[14] and helped redesign the entrepreneurship program at SFU.
In 2010/11, Beech participated in the Action Canada program, where he co-authored, "Fueling Canada's Economic Success: A National Strategy for High-Growth Entrepreneurship.[15]"
Member of Parliament
Beech announcing elements of the Oceans Protection Plan
After the election, Beech was appointed the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Science.[19] In January 2017, Beech was named Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard.[19] During his tenure, Beech worked on the modernization of Canada's Fisheries Act. Part of that work included changes to the Act that restored prohibitions against the harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat ("HADD").[20] Beech also worked on Bill C-55, "An Act to amend the Oceans Act and the Canada Petroleum Resources Act", which outlined new steps for the creation and regulation of Marine Protected Areas.[21] Beech held this role until August 2018, when he was named Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport.[19] While at Transport, Beech worked closely on Bill C-64 - Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act, which addressed irresponsible vessel management.[22]
In 2018, Beech was awarded Parliamentarian of the Year for Best Civic Outreach.[23] These awards are voted on by Members of Parliament from all Parties. Beech attributes winning this award to his efforts to engage with constituents and by perpetually knocking on doors in his riding.[24]
In the 2019 Canadian federal election, Beech quashed the comeback attempt of NDP candidate Svend Robinson, who had previously served as MP in Burnaby from 1979 to 2004.[25] Beech also defeated Heather Leung, a candidate who was dropped by the Conservative Party after controversial videos featuring Leung surfaced in October 2019.[26] On December 12, 2019, Beech was once again named Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and Canadian Coast Guard.[27] On February 4, 2020, Beech was chosen by fellow caucus members to become the chair of the Federal Liberal Pacific Caucus, composed of Liberal MPs from British Columbia.[28]
Heather Leung was dropped by the Conservative Party of Canada after past homophobic remarks were made public,[37] but still appeared on the ballot papers.
In 2013, Beech married Ravi Bansal (now Ravi Bansal Beech), who is the COO of Valley Acrylic Bath Ltd, and one of the 2018 Business in Vancouver's 40 under 40.[43] They have two daughters together, Nova and Solar.[44]
