Orders of the Day The Publication of the Association of Former MLAs of British Columbia Volume 24, Number 2 March 2018 Memories of the great Dave Barrett Happy Holidays by Glen Clark Dave Barrett arrived at the podium impeccably but ever so slightly. The crowd responded warmly and dressed, wearing a blue pin stripe suit, white shirt and red politely. tie. He started speaking slowly, somberly, to the assembled crowd of supporters – me included. But Dave’s genuine indignation was soon fuelling his passion. Like all great orators, Dave fed off the energy in As the BC opposition leader described the latest social the room and soon was in full eloquent flight. Off came injustice perpetrated by the Social Credit government of the jacket. The white shirt sleeves rolled up without the day, his voice got louder and his cadence quickened, missing a beat in his speech. continued on Page 4 Under the Distinguished Patronage of Her Honour The Honourable Judith Guichon, OBC Thank You and Miscellany Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia In memoriam. We recently learned of the passing of Louise Pelton on Orders of the Day is published regularly throughout the year, and is circulated to February 2 of this year. She was the widow of Austin Pelton, Social Credit Association members, all MLAs now serving in MLA for Dewdney 1983-91. Louise continued to subscribe to OOTD after Legislature, other interested individuals and organizations. Austin’s passing in 2003, and we offer our condolences to her family and Material for the newsletter is always welcome friends. and should be sent in written form to: P.O. Box 31009 University Heights P.O. Dues, Subscriptions and Donations Victoria, B.C. V8N 6J3 George Abbott, Victoria Or emailed to [email protected] Jeff Bray, Victoria or [email protected] Peter and Patricia Chipman, Delta Editor: Brian Kieran Russ Fraser, West Vancouver Layout/Production/Research: Rob Lee Bruce Hallsor, Victoria Association Membership (former MLAs) dues are $60.00 per year. Annual subscription rate is Ken Jones, White Rock $40.00 for those who are not Association John Les, Chilliwack Members. Payment can be sent to the above address. Ken Mawdsley, Victoria Joan McIntyre, Vancouver Board of Directors Lorne and Frances Nicolson, Nelson 2017-2018 Geoff Plant, Vancouver Penny Priddy ........President Barbara Smith, Duncan Jeff Bray ............Vice President William Wilson, Victoria Ken Jones ..........Secretary James Gorst.........Treasurer Gillian Trumper . Past President Directors Anne Edwards Cliff Serwa From the Editor's Desk Bill Goodacre Doug Symons Darlene Marzari Patrick Wong Lorne Nicolson Back in 1972, I was between newspaper careers … footloose and free. My best pal David Parkin called me on August 30th to inform me that we had a date Honourary Directors that night. We were going to “crash” the NDP’s election victory bash. Neither of us Hon. Iona Campagnolo, PC,CM, OBC, LL.D was intensely political at the time and we were not the kind of individuals who got Hon. Steven L. Point, OBC invited to political parties. Honourary Members Although my passion for politics would come a bit later when I resumed Hon. Linda Reid journalism in a serious way, David was completely in tune with the power of the Speaker of the Legislature Joan Barton, MLSc., MPA moment. He understood intuitively that the voters of BC had made history and that our province would never be the same again. Honourary Life Members In 1983, while covering provincial politics for the Vancouver Sun, I travelled the Jim Hume province on the campaign buses as Socred Premier Bill Bennett fought what Ian D. Izard, QC, Honourary Solicitor appeared to be a losing battle defending his restraint program against the E. George MacMinn, QC, OBC irrepressible Dave Barrett and his recharged New Democrats. Life Members A depressed Premier Bennett was sicker than a dog in the East Kootenay and (The late) Hugh Curtis Dave was on a roll in the West Kootenay literally kicking gravel at Sun political columnist Marjorie Nichols who had a knack for getting under his skin. When Barrett claimed he would dismantle Bennett’s restraint program, Bennett’s The Association of Former MLAs of British handlers rushed into the premier’s motel room and told him to get back on his feet Columbia is strictly non-partisan, regardless of members’ past or present political affiliation. because he had just won the election. Barrett fought that election with every Founded in 1987, the Association was formally ounce of his socialist passion, but in the end, did not prevail. established by an Act of the British Columbia Legislature on February 10, 1998. I want to thank Glen Clark and Jim Hume for their help to make this issue of Orders of the Day was conceived, named and OOTD a fitting tribute to a great British Columbian and a fearless political leader. produced in its early stages by Bob McClelland, former MLA and cabinet minister, following his Their reflections and recollections on Dave Barrett’s contributions and his retirement from office. Hugh Curtis ably helmed commitment to the people of this province and country is deeply appreciated. this publication up through May 2014. 2 Orders of the Day - Vol. 24, Number 2 On behalf of the Barrett Family The Honourable John Horgan Premier of British Columbia requests the presence of Members of the Association of Former MLAs of BC and Guest at the Memorial Service for the late Dave Barrett, O.C., O.B.C. former Premier of British Columbia SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2018 AT 10:00 A.M. UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA FARQUHAR AUDITORIUM 3800 Finnerty, Victoria Doors open at 9:00 a.m. Reception to follow in the Mystic Dress: Business attire with decorations. Market adjacent to the Auditorium 2018 Dues and Subscriptions are now due Annual membership for former MLAs in the Association is $60 (unchanged from previous years) and that includes the subscription fee for Orders of the Day (OOTD). Fans of OOTD who are not Association members should send in a cheque for $40 to remain on the newsletter subscription list. If you have already remitted, thank you. Cheques should be made out to: and mailed to: The Association of Former MLAs of BC PO Box 31009, University Heights PO Victoria, BC V8N 6J3 March 2018 3 From Page 1 Barrett remembered The crowd got louder and louder as Dave alternatively mocked the heartless provincial government and speculated on the motives of those in power. I not only remember that speech – and many others – I can still FEEL it in my soul. Dave Barrett was my MLA when, as a teenager, I joined the New Democratic Party. It is no exaggeration to say that he is WHY I joined the NDP. He was an inspiration to me and many, many others to take up the fight for social justice. The list of accomplishments left behind by the short- lived government that he led is astonishing to those of us who have sat as MLAs in the BC Legislature. It is hard to fathom the sheer volume and scale of legislation passed during that extraordinary moment in BC history. From relatively “small” accomplishments like the creation of Hansard and Question Period, eliminating corporal punishment in schools, lowering the drinking age to 19, establishing French immersion in schools, creating the first consumer protection legislation, establishing a Labour Code, and creating the SeaBus, to banning pay toilets, BC has never seen such a busy and ambitious government. The larger accomplishments are well known: The Agricultural Land Commission; the public Insurance Corporation of BC; the province’s first Human Rights Code; its Ambulance Service; and Pharmacare. extraordinary expansion of childcare, a Royal I don’t know what it is like in government today, but I Commission on Forestry, a radical experiment in locally can honestly say that “in my day”, it often took longer to and democratically controlled social services, super draft legislation than it took the Barrett government to royalties on mining companies, the nationalization of draft, pass through the House and implement major forest companies and even a poultry plant as well as structural changes. The mind boggles to think that the remarkable improvements in environmental protection. government passed a piece of (often controversial) legislation every three days they held power! Dave Barrett had a larger than life personality. He was flamboyant, charismatic, entertaining, emotional and And of course, they didn’t stop with legislation. There funny. wasn’t an area of government that wasn’t modernized. MLAs might do well to recall that the Barrett government But more than that, Dave Barrett demonstrated provided offices for Opposition MLAs and started a major conclusively that government can make a positive, renovation of the grand but leaky legislative buildings – progressive difference. both major departures from the past. In an age of cynicism, a shrinking middle class, an There wasn’t an area of government where bold opioid crisis, and Donald Trump, Dave Barrett reminded initiatives weren’t proposed to make life better for working us that it needn’t be thus. We don’t need to accept the people and marginalized citizens. There was a dramatic status quo. Power in the hands of committed and increase in the construction of affordable housing, an determined people can indeed change the world. 4 Orders of the Day - Vol. 24, Number 2 The Barrett family’s final tribute It is with great sadness we share the passing of Dave Barrett, a much-loved husband and father. He will be greatly missed. Dave had a tremendous life beyond his profession in social work and his many years as a provincial and federal politician.