Born in Melville, Saskatchewan, Brent obtained degrees in public administration and law from the University of Saskatchewan. He then pursued a career as an attorney that brought him to Calgary, Red Dear and Edmonton, where he has lived since 1994.

Brent entered public life in 2001 and was elected to the Alberta Legislature as MLA for Edmonton-Calder. As a legislator, Brent chaired the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Review and sat on two Labour Code Reviews on behalf of the Alberta Government. Brent gained a reputation as an advocate for victims’ legal rights during the contentious 2003 debate concerning automobile insurance reform.

In 2004, Brent left public life to return to a law practice. He later became the executive director of the Progressive Contractors Association of Canada, an industry association of industrial contractors, who believe in progressive labour relations with their employees.

In his spare time, Brent enjoys sports, fitness, music, reading and writing.