He was born in Edmundston, New Brunswick, the son of Donald Forbes and Patricia Clarke,[1] and was educated in Scotland, England and the University of New Brunswick, where he first studied electrical engineering and later returned for his LLB. Forbes practiced law from 1974 until 1988. He then established a company which provided computer services and another which developed geographic information systems. In 1997, he resumed the practice of law. His life partner is Deborah Johnston. Forbes ran unsuccessfully for reelection in 2003.[2]
