John obtained a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Western Ontario and a Master's degree from the University of British Columbia.

He has worked in the pulp and paper industry in Ontario, the oil fields of Alberta and on the construction of the Bennett hydroelectric dam in Northern BC. He taught in the Northwest Territories, in Northern Alberta, and then for fifteen years in Delta, BC. John is also a commercial fisherman, having owned and operated commercial fishing boats for over 20 years.

John was first elected to the House of Commons in 1993, and has been re-elected since. As a Parliamentarian, John has dedicated himself to advancing the interests of Canada's coastal communities. In Opposition, he served as Critic for fisheries issues. He is currently a member of the House Committee on Fisheries and Oceans. In 2003, John received the "Person of The Year Award" from the fishing industry.

John and his wife Sue have two children, Martin and Carolyn. He has two stepdaughters, Kristina and Erin.