Cameron was born in
Nova Scotia, the son of
provincial Liberal Party leader
Sandy Cameron, grandson of
Alexander W. Cameron, and great-grandson of
Alexander F. Cameron, all of whom served as Nova Scotia MLAs for
Guysborough. Cameron has said he grew up in a family that was not particularly religious and that they infrequently attended church but had a strong sense of public service. Cameron attended
Dalhousie University in Halifax. During a study abroad program in France, he experienced a
religious conversion and began attending an
Anglican church in Halifax upon his return. It was here where he met his future wife, Tamara; they were married in February 1987. They have four adult children and three grandchildren. Starting in 1997, Cameron also began working as a counselor with the Isaiah 40 Foundation, a healing and reconciliation ministry headquartered in Montreal. During his final rectorate in Montreal, he said that he was locking up after a routine
vestry meeting when he thought, "Once a month until I'm 65. I don't think so." Cameron said he experienced a call to work outside of full-time church ministry. ==Business and nonprofit leadership==