Charles has lived and worked in Manitoba for 40 years. He focused on various aspects of communications throughout his career. He came to Winnipeg to advise the provincial government on telecommunications policy. After 10 years in that role, he completed an MBA, and moved on to manage market research in a database marketing company, and then led customer research for an investment company. Since his retirement, he has been active in Bike Winnipeg, focusing on road safety and fundraising. More recently, he has become part of the Trees Please Winnipeg coalition to lobby for better funding of tree maintenance and planting in Winnipeg.