Brett McKenzie, 32, was born in Chatham, Ontario in 1975. His family moved around, but eventually settled in London. He earned his Honors Bachelor of Arts in English from Huron College at the University of Western Ontario in 1999, and then his Bachelor of Education at Western in 2000. He taught secondary school for five years, but now works as a writer and fundraiser in London.  

Brett has been an active member of the Kinsmen Club of Greater London for 13 years, taking on several club officer roles and serving on two district councils. He got involved in federal and provincial Green politics in 2003, shortly after the last provincial election. He is particularly interested in municipal planning, funding for non-religious schools only, and is very concerned about the continuing consolidation of media outlets in Canada.

Brett lives in London with his wife, a physiotherapist, Natasha Nunes-McKenzie, his new daughter, Mikhaela, and the family dog, Ripley.