An invitation to join the AFMLABC from President Dave Hayer

The Association of Former MLAs of British Columbia is a non-profit corporation under the Association of Former M.L.A.s of British Columbia Act. [SBC 1998]. For information about the Association's objectives, please see the page on Legislation. The Association is strictly non-partisan, regardless of members’ past or present political affiliation.

The Association:

• Continues to produce Orders of the Day (OOTD), the highly sought-after Association newsletter. Ten issues of OOTD are released each year covering topics relevant to the major times and events in British Columbia history.

• Administers the AFMLABC Hugh Curtis BC Youth Parliament Fund which provides financial assistance to participants in the annual British Columbia Youth Parliament session at the Legislature. 

The Association’s goals are compelling in these troubling times. Its mandate is to:

• Put the knowledge and experience of its members at the service of parliamentary democracy in British Columbia and elsewhere;

• Serve the public interest by providing non-partisan support for the parliamentary system of government in British Columbia;

• Foster a spirit of community among former MLAs; and

• Build good relations between current and former MLAs. 

Joining is simple. Go to the “Payments” page on this site and follow the prompts. For more information, email us at ootd.afmlabc@gmail.com. Please indicate if you want to receive your Orders of the Day newsletter via Canada Post or as a PDF by email.

If paying by cheque, make payment to:

Association of Former MLAs of BC, PO Box 30024, Reynolds P.O., Victoria, BC, V8X 1J0

BC Youth Parliament holds successful 95th Session

By Adrianne Chow, Minister of Public Relations, 95th British Columbia Youth Parliament

Youth from across British Columbia gathered at the BC Parliament Buildings during their winter break for the 95th Session of the British Columbia Youth Parliament (BCYP).

Ninety-seven community leaders, aged 16 to 21, spent their time practicing parliamentary procedure, engaging in collaborative debate and learning about the importance of community service.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Honourable Raj Chouhan, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia and all the staff at the BC Parliament Building for their continued and enthusiastic support of the BC Youth Parliament.

As a non-partisan, youth-run organization, BCYP aims to promote youth service within the community. This year, the organization celebrates its centennial anniversary, having been established in 1924.

The 95th Session featured Val Napoleon LLB, PhD as our honorary Lieutenant Governor. Dr. Napoleon is a professor and Law Foundation Chair in Indigenous Justice Governance in the Faculty of Law at UVic. She also established the Indigenous Law Research Unit, a research centre that works in partnership with indigenous peoples and groups across Canada on questions of Indigenous law.

During our 95th Session, BCYP members proposed and debated new projects and plans for the upcoming year. Among our largest projects this year are Regional Youth Parliaments (RYPs), various fundraising and service projects, and Camp Phoenix.

RYPs are our signature method of teaching 14-18-year-olds about Westminster parliamentary democracy. These events, hosted across the province, facilitate a practical experience in leadership like no other. Members debate resolutions of issues of their choosing, draft bills and engage in collaborative debate, and learn parliamentary procedure. Members are given the opportunity to meet other youth in their communities and work in true democratic fashion to aid their growth alongside their communities. If you know of any youth passionate about civic engagement, leadership, and making a positive impact in their community, we encourage you to share this opportunity with them. You can learn more at bcyp.org/ryps.

Camp Phoenix, a five-day sleep-away summer camp run entirely by volunteers, serves children aged eight to 12 who, for social or financial reasons, could not otherwise attend camp.

In addition to these service projects, the House passed five acts: The Parliamentary Activities Act, the World Tour Act, the Enhanced Definitions of Institutional Titles (EDIT) Amendment Act, the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Amendment Act, and the Supply Act.

As well as debating and voting on project-focused legislation, BCYP members discussed important social issues through Private Members Resolutions. Topics included drug decriminalization, lowering the voting age, and logging of old-growth forests. These debates allowed youth to engage with peers on a range of issues and hear opinions from all sides.

As per tradition, this session featured the presentation of awards, acknowledging outstanding contributions and achievements of members.

The Parliamentarian of the Year Award recognizes an individual from the previous session who contributed significantly in all three areas of BCYP: Participation in BCYP events, service, and fundraising. This year, it was awarded to Adrianne Chow.

The BC Speaker's Office Inspiring New Member Award recognizes members who made exceptional contributions to service and fundraising activities during their inaugural year. This year, it went to Brielle Tran and Kevin Nicklin.

The Fisi Award for Service recognizes exemplary dedication to serving the youth of British Columbia under the Youth Parliament's name, both in and out of BCYP. This year, it was awarded to Tommy Xu.

The BCYP Bond Shield was awarded to Brielle Tran. The Bond Shield is awarded to the parliamentarian who raised the most money in the previous year.

Finally, the prestigious Donald Fergus Paynter Memorial Award for Leadership was awarded to last year's premier, Abby Head. This award is given at the Senate's discretion to a member who, during their years of membership, demonstrated both exceptional leadership and noteworthy dedication to all aspects of Parliament's activities and made contributions substantially more than expected through the normal course of activities or made contributions which, because of their innovative nature, are likely to have an enduring impact.

The 96th Parliament's House Leaders were also elected during the session. UBC student Annie Nguyen (Langley) was elected premier; SFU student Puneet Hundal (Tumbler Ridge) was elected Leader of the Opposition; and UVic student Isabella Harmel (Kelowna) was elected Deputy Speaker. This marks the third time in BCYP's 100-year history that women hold all three House Leader positions.

This session, we bid farewell to six aging-out members who have turned 21. It was with much sadness that the membership said farewell and thank you to them. The 95th Session of BCYP showcased the passion and dedication of its members, setting the stage for a year of meaningful debates, service projects, and fun.

We thank the Association of Former MLAs of British Columbia for their continued support of BCYP. We would like to give special thanks for their contribution of the Hugh Curtis Memorial Fund, which provides opportunities for broader participation in BCYP's Session in Victoria by helping to defray travel and accommodation expenses for two youth who live outside the Greater Victoria area.

The october issue of our newsletter – with full coverage of the annual banquet – is posted in the archives section. Pictures of the event can be found in the Photo Gallery.

BC Youth Parliament members return to the House

By Premier Abby Head, 94th British Columbia Youth Parliament

I am pleased to report that the 94th BC Youth Parliament session was a tremendous success. Members from near and far made it to Victoria from Dec. 27th to 31st and joined us in the Legislative Assembly. 

I was nervous about returning to an in-person gathering after two years of holding our sessions on Zoom. Will we know when to bow? When to stand? My protocol fears were alleviated after the first sitting when members jumped back into the swing of things and we collectively remembered in-person parliamentary procedure. The energy that filled the Chamber was everything I remember from previous years. It was like we never left.

This was a great reminder of the way BC youth can come together and learn alongside one another. It was a testament to why our organization has offered such a valuable experience for so many generations. I am so excited to see this group of members embody our motto of “Youth Serving Youth” through the various projects we take on. 

During the 94th Session of the BC Youth Parliament, cabinet proposed four pieces of legislation, all of which were fruitfully debated and passed.

We passed the Parliamentary Activities Act,  that governs parliament’s actions for the next year. We also passed the Camp Phoenix Act, that lays the groundwork for Camp Phoenix, a five-day sleep away camp for children ages 8 to 12 who, for social or financial reasons, could not otherwise attend summer camp.

In addition, our Service and Leadership Among Youth Act outlines the logistics for our Youth Service Committee Projects. Lastly, we passed the Supply Act that authorizes the necessary spending and mechanisms of fundraising. This legislation is a reflection of the service commitment of each member, each of whom is dedicated to serving their community and improving the quality of life for youth in our province.

Throughout the sessional year, we are excited to have ongoing fundraisers, service projects and regional youth parliament events. We will also be working toward running our youth service committees, the fundraising gala, and ending the year with Camp Phoenix. 

I want to extend my thanks to the Association of Former MLAs of BC for their ongoing support of BCYP. Your grant plays an integral role in making session financially accessible for members and your ongoing support and encouragement provides us with great inspiration.

John Horgan – the ex-premier, faced “trying circumstances”

By Andrew MacLeod, The Tyee

The swearing-in of David Eby as BC premier on Nov. 18th also marked the end of John Horgan’s time in the job.

Horgan was premier for five-and-a-half years, but since June, when he announced his resignation after throat cancer treatment, he has been engaged in a long goodbye during which he has generally been reluctant to talk about what he thinks his legacy is and what the government he led will be remembered for. 

In contrast, in a September speech to the Union of BC Municipalities convention in Whistler, he mentioned a few achievements of the Dave Barrett NDP’s three years in government in the 1970s. They included founding the resort municipality of Whistler, purchasing Ocean Falls and banning the strap from classrooms.

He might also have cited the creation of the Agricultural Land Reserve, the start of government-owned auto insurance, Pharmacare, the Human Rights Code, the BC Human Rights Commission, the provincial ambulance service, expanded provincial parks, BC Day and many other legacies of Barrett’s brief government.

Following the speech, The Tyee asked Horgan what he thought his government would be remembered for. “I’m a historian,” he said, “but I’m not going to do history from the podium ... Maybe we’ll have a chance to talk about that at another time.”

He did say he hopes that “people would speak well of our efforts to try and solve what have been extraordinary circumstances, events.”

The government was elected in 2017 and again, with a majority, in 2020 . . . and found itself responding to the COVID-19 pandemic that has killed at least 4,550 people in the province and required the government to step in to help as large sections of the economy closed to prevent the spread of the virus. 

Then there was the heat dome that killed 619 people, the burning of the town of Lytton and an atmospheric river that overwhelmed dikes in the Fraser Valley and buried or washed out sections of several highways. 

“These are things that are brand new to all of us that had horrific impacts on people and communities,” said Horgan. “I’m hopeful they will say we did our best under trying circumstances.”

While Horgan’s government may not have had the activist bent that Barrett’s did, generally taking a more pragmatic or incremental path, it did make some big decisions. Some were controversial and remain so, and some will widely be looked back on as accomplishments.

Here are eight:

1. Getting big money out of politics

Among the first moves under Horgan’s leadership was to end the “wild west” of political fundraising in the province. The new rules banned donations from corporations and unions and capped individual contributions at $1,200 a year. The then-minority government, supported by Green MLAs, made the change despite the NDP having significantly out-fundraised its opponents in the 2017 election year. “I have no regrets,” Horgan later said. “The right thing to do was to get big money out of politics.”  

2. Continuing the construction of the Site C Dam

At the end of 2017, the Horgan government made one of its most controversial decisions when it approved the continued construction of the Site C Dam on the Peace River despite opposition in court from some First Nations and because of the flooding of large stretches of agricultural land. It was with “heavy hearts” that cabinet gave the go-ahead to a project that Horgan and others in his party had campaigned against and stressed they would never have started. Still, with $4 billion already sunk into the project, the financial impact of cancelling what was then expected to be a $10.7-billion project would have been significant, Horgan argued. A little more than three years later, the projected budget had risen to $16 billion, but still, Horgan’s government decided to press on.  

3. Building LNG Canada

By the time the NDP came to office, the LNG Canada liquification and export terminal now under construction in Kitimat had been approved and permitted. But the Shell-led consortium that owned the $40-billion project didn’t make a final decision to move ahead until after Horgan’s government helped out with a raft of incentives that included eliminating the LNG income tax, offering a reduced price for electricity from BC Hydro, rebating new carbon taxes and exempting construction materials from provincial sales tax. 

4. Agreeing to Clean BC with the BC Green Party caucus

In 2018, a week after the announcement the LNG Canada project would proceed, Horgan was front and centre to release the Clean BC plan to reduce the province’s greenhouse gas emissions. He was joined by then-Green Party leader Andrew Weaver, a climate scientist who had criticized the province’s LNG dreams but endorsed Clean BC. The province, on track to miss its previous goal of a 33-per-cent reduction in carbon emissions from 2007 levels, set new goals of a 60 per cent reduction by 2040 and 80 per cent by 2050. The short-term plan, later added to, gave the government a defence against critics of oil and gas expansion, allowing Horgan and others to say it’s OK as long as it fits in the plan – which the Greens had endorsed.  

5. Commissioning a strategy for old-growth forests

Under Horgan’s leadership, the NDP government commissioned a substantial report on the future of old-growth forests in the province and promised to act on it. The 14 recommendations in A New Future For Old Forests would totally overhaul the management of old-growth forests, starting with grounding the system in a government-to-government framework involving both provincial and Indigenous governments. It would also “prioritize ecosystem health and resilience” so that the health of forests comes first and shift from seeing forests primarily through a financial lens where ecosystem health is viewed as a “constraint.”  

6. Beginning to make BC’s laws consistent with UNDRIP

In 2019, the government introduced legislation that would make the province the first to recognize the 46 articles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. While Indigenous leaders warned it would take many years of hard work to complete the job, it was widely hailed as an important step forward. Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, the president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, said that the advance required Horgan’s leadership. “We are grateful to Premier Horgan for working with us, instead of against us, on this monumental and historic piece of legislation for Indigenous rights and for providing us with a framework that will be essential in holding future governments accountable to our rights as Indigenous peoples.”

7. Introducing a fee for FOI requests 

While in opposition, Horgan and the NDP were great users of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. They supported making it stronger to help people seeking records from public bodies. But after forming government, Horgan appeared to lose interest in improving the FOI law, and last year passed legislation that has allowed government ministries and others covered by the act to begin charging $10 to file requests. The new charge is on top of the sometimes large fees public bodies could already charge, and the move was widely criticized by Information and Privacy Commissioner Michael McEvoy, civil society groups, reporters and academics.

8. Making life more affordable?

The word “affordability” and its variations appeared 51 times in the NDP’s 2020 re-election platform and was a theme in the 2017 campaign. The government phased out Medical Services Plan premiums, which were much less progressive than income taxes, where people making more money pay proportionally more tax and replacing them with the Employer Health Tax. There were changes to ICBC policies that got the Crown corporation’s finances back in order and saw rebates sent to drivers. For families, the number of childcare spaces has grown, and they’ve been made cheaper. The province capped rent increases at the rate of inflation. And then there was the speculation and vacancy tax that applied to empty homes and is believed to have brought some 20,000 homes into the rental market between 2018 and 2020.  

(Andrew MacLeod is The Tyee’s Legislative Bureau Chief in Victoria and the author of All Together Healthy.) 

Anne Edwards was a caucus buddy, a friend for life, a devoted mom

(Editor’s note: Go to our Archives section where the November issue of Orders of the Day has been uploaded. In it you will find full coverage of Anne’s passing.)

By Darlene Marzari

When I attended my first caucus meeting of the NDP in October 1986 in Victoria, I met Anne Edwards. Over the years, she became a close buddy and a friend forever. For more than a decade, we shared rooms on Moss Street, attending caucus meetings all over the province, sitting through the ups and downs of being in the loyal opposition and then having the fun of handling two “dirt ministries.” For five years, she was in energy, and I was in sewers (Municipal Affairs) … she dug gravel, and I handled sewer water. We sang from the same song sheet for a decade before we both retired in 1996.

For 22 years, we stayed in touch; her visiting me on the Coast once a year and me going to Moyie for a week once a year. We both suffered “PTSD” from our caucus years and rose above it all in time. Anne asked me to write a preface for her book, Seeking Balance, after she spent three years interviewing 120 women who had been elected to office in BC.

These things remain startlingly clear: Her unbridled love for her husband, Mike, and all their years together; her passion for her children and their children; and, lately, her great-grandchildren. It didn’t matter where we were; Sunday morning was devoted to her children Robert, Greg, Liz and Alan. Never has there been a more devoted mother.

Anne was unique: As a colleague, as a caucus member, as a buddy, as a friend for life, as a mom; as a staunch NDP feminist; as a faithful member of the AFMLABCB; and as a writer of women’s history in BC.

I miss her voice, her advice, her opinions and her ability to manage everything that came her way. She was one of a kind.

(Darlene was a NDP MLA and cabinet minister representing Vancouver-Point Grey from 1986 to 1996.)

Sadness and tributes – MacMinn, McGeer, Tanner, are gone

 British Columbia has lost three loyal servants in the cause of good governance.  

They are: Former Legislative Clerk George MacMinn, a senior parliamentary officer who served 14 BC speakers, 10 premiers, and hundreds of MLAs over 47 years; Dr. Pat McGeer, a former Social Credit cabinet minister acknowledged as a leading UBC researcher on Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases; and, Clive Tanner, a former Liberal MLA and well-known bookseller in Sidney who died Sept. 9th, at age 88.

MacMinn, named to the Order of BC (OBC) in 2005 and regarded internationally as a pre-eminent expert on parliamentary law, practice, and procedure, died Aug. 30th at 92. His opus, Parliamentary Practice in British Columbia, is widely used throughout the Commonwealth. The book is considered the authority of choice in the BC Legislature. 

MacMinn was appointed to the Queen's Counsel in 1993 and awarded the Queen's Medal for Outstanding Service to the Legislative Assembly in 2003.

Dr. Patrick McGeer, also named to the OBC in 2005 – pictured here with his wife Dr. Edith McGeer, a co-OBC recipient – served as MLA and cabinet minister until 1986, aiding in efforts to make British Columbia a major centre for research and development. He died on Aug. 29th at age 95.

In 2004, McGeer was awarded the Henry Wisniewski prize, given to the top Alzheimer's disease researcher.

Pat and Edith are among the world's top 100 most highly cited neuroscientists, beginning their work at the University of British Columbia in 1954. Their joint honours include Honourary Doctors of Science degrees from UBC, the Medal of Service from the Cam Coady Foundation, and the Clarke Institute of Psychiatry Prize from the University of Toronto. The McGeers were appointed as Officers of the Order of Canada in 1995 and Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada in 2002.

Former MLA Clive Tanner contributed to the growth and development of Sidney on Vancouver Island through his public service and bookselling career. Tanner, who was born in 1934 in the Greater London area, first came to Canada as a child evacuee during the Second World War. He remained after completing his service in the Royal Marines in the 1950s. He was the first elected MLA for the newly created riding for Saanich North and the Islands between 1991 and 1996, after serving as the minister of health in Yukon's territorial government during the 1970s.

Tanner established himself as a professional in the bookselling industry, where he worked for nearly 50 years. Tanner's Books that he and his wife founded in Sidney in 1982, is his legacy in the industry

Full coverage and tributes in the October issue of Orders of the Day can be accessed in our Archives section.

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ASSOCIATION OF FORMER MLAS OF BC

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. SEPT. 24TH, 1:30 p.m.

 The AFMLABC executive has set Saturday, Sept. 24th at 1:30 p.m. as the date for this year’s AGM. Because of the lingering impacts of COVID-19, there is no annual Government House banquet this fall and thus no in-person AGM meeting at the Legislature.

 As was the case last year, the AGM will be conducted virtually via Zoom. We hope members can join us to discuss and vote on a number of matters including: The election of AFMLABC directors, the return of the annual banquet in 2023, association budget reports, membership numbers, Youth Parliament and student grants, bylaw issues and much more.

We encourage members-at-large to participate, particularly if you have considered joining the board of directors.

Here is the Zoom link address/invite.

AFMLABC AGM SATURDAY, Sept. 24, 2022 – Time: 1:30 P.M.

TO Join THE Zoom Meeting CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89974397321?pwd=YlpkRHBzZHBJUWlrTCtQY1N1ZEViQT09

Meeting ID: 899 7439 7321, Passcode: 175924

If you are having issues with the link contact OOTD editor Brian Kieran (kieran.brian@icloud.com) and he will make sure you are included.

 John Les, President

Legislative Library Archivist Suher Zaher-Mazawi needs your help

Meet Suher Zaher-Mazawi, the Archivist responsible for managing the MLA Papers Archives at the Legislative Library. In this issue, she is reaching out to retired MLAs to request your assistance. Her goal is to develop an archival collection to capture the less visible aspects of the political life and culture of British Columbians … MLAs’ personal political papers and constituency records that reveal the often-invisible underpinnings of issues facing communities in BC that may not necessarily be captured in the public records. “MLAs play a crucial role in the provincial political system. It is often challenging to trace their activities comprehensively, let alone find the relevant records, access them, and preserve them properly for future research,” she says. Read all about this project on Pages 4 & 5 of the Summer issue of Orders of the Day featured on this website’s Archives page. 

Two Social Credit stalwarts have passed

 It has been more than 30 years since the once-mighty Social Credit Party was decimated by Mike Harcourt and the NDP in 1991. There are not that many of the original Socred stalwarts left standing. Sadly we lost two bedrock Socreds this spring, Jack Weisgerber and Cliff Michael.

Jack Weisgerber, a former Social Credit cabinet minister who also sat in the Legislature as a member of the former Reform Party and as an Independent, died in June.

Jack, who was energy, mines and petroleum resources minister in the Social Credit government of former Premier Bill Vander Zalm, and was BC’s first minister of native affairs, was 81 years old.

The three-term MLA who represented the northeast riding of Peace River South from 1986 to 2001.

Former Social Credit MLA and cabinet minister Bruce Strachan says: “Following the disastrous Social Credit election loss in 1991, Jack found himself as leader of the seven-member Social Credit caucus. A tough place to be. The party faithful sought a return to the good old days, while the realists saw Liberal Gordon Campbell as the new voice of the centre-right. Jack toughed it out with a lot of class finally running as an independent and stepping down in 2001.”

Former Social Credit MLA and cabinet minister Cliff Michael passed away in May at age 88 leaving behind a legacy as a proud resident of Salmon Arm and a dedicated community leader.

He will be remembered for his help developing the Salmon Arm Indoor Sports Complex and Shaw Centre, as well for his work with the Rotary Club and the many accomplishments as a politician. He served as personnel manager at Federated Co-op and went on to represent the Shuswap-Revelstoke riding as an MLA from 1983 to 1991.

Cliff served BC in key cabinet porfolios, Minister of Transportation, Minister of Tourism and Minister of Governmental Affairs.

Jim Hume: “Keep my obit simple … no sentimental stuff”

By Stephen Hume

Jim Hume, the irascible reporter, loved to get his descriptive teeth into the pomp and circumstance of a funeral for a deserving public figure and then yank the heartstrings, but Jim Hume, the man, wanted nothing of the sort for himself. 

“Keep my obit simple, keep it short, stick to the facts, no sentimental stuff,” he instructed when told that his hospital bed was surely the boat that would carry him across the River Styx. 

(Read more about the AFMLABC’s Honourary Life Member Jim Hume in the May issue of Orders of the Day which is posted in the archives section of this website.)

He’d have been the first to say that his death on April 13 at the age of 98 did not mark the end of an era in British Columbia journalism. Jim was of the firm view that life’s a constantly unravelling story – the only one with real legs, he liked to say – and reporters keep reporting it from one generation to the next as they have since Herodotus. But, his death certainly closed a remarkable chapter in the story.  

Jim covered politics in BC for 70 years. He was still providing unsolicited advice to premiers and cabinet ministers when he departed.  

The first politician he interviewed was then-BC Premier Boss Johnson. From that start, Jim then bagged the next 11 premiers, too. He covered prime ministers from Louis St. Laurent to Stephen Harper. 

He wangled the Boss Johnson interview that got him started in the newspaper game while delivering bread to the premier’s house as a driver for McGavin’s bakery. Before that, he’d worked at a BapCo Paint factory, hand-logged old-growth timber west of Sooke and on the Saanich Peninsula, and crewed a scow that motored from lower Johnson Street on Victoria’s Inner Harbour past the Legislature Buildings, where he later worked to deposit the city’s reeking overnight garbage in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

“Same job, different locale,” he liked to quip after reporting on yet another careful political speech of platitudes and talking points.

He had a standing bet on the Grey Cup – he always bet the West – with Prime Minister Lester Pearson.

Some premiers swore at him, but they all respected him. He was hard and uncompromising in his pursuit of a story but also uncompromisingly fair in his reporting of it. 

Jim became such a fixture of the Press Gallery that he was eventually granted a lifetime membership. He was given the Bruce Hutchison Award for lifetime achievement by the Jack Webster Foundation. He got the Queen’s Jubilee medal for his community work which ranged from donating more than a thousand pints of blood to the Canadian Red Cross to working with prison inmates with the John Howard Society. 

Fifty years ago, when approached by a group of teenagers, he helped them found the Velox

Rugby Football Club, serving as the first president – the team won its league championship the first year and went undefeated the second. 

He could write about anything and did, from lacrosse games to flower shows to a quiet but deeply philosophical janitor at Alberni’s Indian Residential School named George Clutesi.  

He wrote about the trauma of packing the carbonized body of a child burned in a plane crash out of the bush, about the pair of grave robbers who terrorized a small Vancouver Island town, about the legendary basketball referee who moonlighted as city manager (or was it the other way around?). He tracked down a BC man who had executed Irish pacifist Francis Sheehy Skeffington in the street during Dublin’s Easter Rising in 1916. 

He drank tea with Queen Elizabeth in Victoria, beer with the Irish Republican Army in Belfast, too much scotch with actor John Wayne at Boat Harbour. 

His friends ranged from Frank Calder, the Nisga’a hereditary chief whose court challenge half a century ago forced Canada to recognize aboriginal title. Emery Barnes and Rosemary Brown, BC’s trail-blazing Black politicians, union leader Jack Munro and premiers as different in point of view as socialist Dave Barrett and uber capitalist Bill Bennett were all on a first-name basis with him. 

Jim was an old school reporter who stuck to the principle that reporters belong in the background, not the foreground – that reporters like him told stories about what they witnessed and that the best reporters never wanted to become part of the story. 

And yet here he is, the story, no way around it, and I, as the eldest of his six sons and the one specifically tasked by him to write it, I guess I’m inescapably part of this story, too, no way around that, either.

So maybe, before getting to the unsentimental facts, I’ll tell a story about the two of us that illuminates his commitment to the reporter’s trade. 

I was 17, and I’d parlayed my job as editor of my school newspaper into a freelance gig covering high school sports for the weekly newspaper in the small Alberta town of Stony Plain. He was gruff about my lack of diligence in math and chemistry but pleased that I took the newspaper stuff seriously. He’d started his newspaper career as a sports reporter, too, advancing from writing freelance features for The Islander section of The Victoria Daily Colonist under the byline Mark Stirling to a full-time column with The Nanaimo Free Press: On the Rebound with Jim Hume. 

One black, sub-zero night, I was on my way from the high school gym where the Memorial Marauders basketball squads had just defeated somebody. There was blowing snow. The wind chill was cruel. Parka hoods were up. Windshields were frosted. I stepped into a crosswalk where I was hit by a car driven by one of my classmates, torpedoed into a snowdrift from which I was extracted, bloody and unconscious from a head injury. 

I awoke in hospital, my head wrapped in a mummy-like shroud, my memory of the accident blank except for the part where I was on my way to file a story, which I clearly hadn’t done. Jim raced to the hospital from the newsroom at The Edmonton Journal, made sure I was stable, reassured my mother, returned to the accident scene with the RCMP constable, found my bloodied copy and crumpled scoresheets in the snow and made sure I met my deadline. 

Jim was born December 27, 1923. He was the fourth of five children – only two would survive childhood – born to a disabled First World War veteran and a farmer’s daughter. They had married in 1917 after the soldier was discharged, unfit for further service due to wounds. His father lost an eye, a shell fragment had blown away a shoulder blade, and he’d been shot in the thigh and through the throat. 

Thomas Dodds Hume was a professional soldier serving in India when his regiment was sent first to Nuneaton to re-equip, then to the disastrous Gallipoli Landing. His 1st Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers earned six Victoria Crosses that morning but at an enormous cost – more than 600 of its 1,100 men fell in a few hours.  

Ann Startin was the daughter of a local farmer. She was 22, worked by day in a munitions factory and, after her shift, volunteered, helping nurse the grievously wounded who had been evacuated to a hospital in Nuneaton, just down the road from Coventry, itself a medieval cathedral city refashioned into an armaments hub. 

Jim was born in the backroom of a poor brick row house. There was no electricity. No telephone. No radio. Heat was from a coal grate. Travel to his grandad’s farm was on the back of a pony cart, feet dangling above the cobblestones. A man on a bicycle rode through streets with a long pole, lighting the gas lamps. 

Yet Jim died managing his own website, blogging and posting his usually calm but sometimes trenchant commentary. In his last weeks, he was observing for his internet readers the parallels and differences between 1939 and 2022. 

He heard the announcement of war with Hitler on a radio his mother had taken years to buy on a layaway plan, hoarding pennies and farthings. He watched the invasion of Ukraine unfold in real time on Twitter and Instagram and wrote about it in posts on Facebook. 

And as he watched the suffering in Mariupol, he said it reminded him of the night the German Luftwaffe sent more than 500 bombers to destroy Coventry. By morning, two-thirds of the city’s buildings had been damaged, and a new word had been coined “Coventration,” bombing a city’s core with sufficient intensity to create a firestorm. 

The images, Jim said, triggered memories of the sound of bombs walking toward him across neighbourhoods; the seven factory workmates killed when a bomb exploded in the cafeteria where they were having tea after work – he hadn’t stayed because his mother needed him at home; the sight of a neighbour’s little daughter lifeless in the gutter with her yellow hair streaming out in the rain; the tickering sound incendiary bombs made when dropped by the thousands; his war-wise father stopping him from joining his first aid crew and rushing to the city burning on the horizon because, the old man said, “You don’t run into a barrage, you wait until it lifts. You’re no use to anyone as another casualty. Is that what you want to be? Somebody’s problem?” 

It was an admonition and advice he often gave his own sons. 

In that sense, Jim often said, he’d been witness to an abruptly changed world in which nations waged total war against civilian populations – Coventry, Dresden, Tokyo, Hiroshima, Aleppo, Mariupol. As a 16-year-old, one of his jobs was tying together the thumbs and big toes of civilian bomb fatalities so they’d be more manageable for stacking when rigor mortis set in. As an adult, he visited Hiroshima to remind himself that total war does not respect race or nationality and is waged by all against all. 

At 18, deeply religious, he refused to take up arms and was sent to a conscientious objector’s prison camp to work as a field hand, harvesting Brussel sprouts. His cellmates were a conductor of the Welsh national orchestra, a Communist Youth League organizer, and a professor of classical antiquities. The eloquent debates, fierce arguments and outright fights were, he said, a superb education for a teenager who’d never thought about such things as internal colonization, working-class rights, and the common stereotypes used to propagandize racism as a tool of imperialism. 

He emigrated to Canada in 1948 aboard the RMS Aquitania, the ship that had carried the wounded back to Britain after Gallipoli, landed in Halifax and set out for BC with his wife, Joyce, pregnant with their second child and with me, 18 months old.

In Victoria, he took the only work he could find, driving the garbage scow. Later, he went logging with a double-bitted axe and a misery whip. Next, he delivered bread to the wealthy back doors of Uplands. 

Then came his big break, the interview with Boss Johnson. He was offered a job as a sportswriter in Nanaimo, was asked to open a bureau for the paper in Alberni where a fifth son was born, went to The Penticton Herald as managing editor, then to The Edmonton Journal to write politics before returning to write for The Victoria Daily Times, serve as News Director at CFAX Radio, then The Victoria Daily Colonist and eventually The Daily Times-Colonist when the papers merged. 

He was divorced from his first wife, Joyce Potter, and later married Candide Temple with whom he had a sixth son. He was predeceased by both Joyce and Candide and is survived by sons Stephen (Susan), Timothy, Mark (Margaret), Andrew (Buni), Jon (Chrystel) and Nic (Anna) and more than a dozen grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

A short, simple obit he did not get. But that’s his fault. He shouldn’t have lived such a full and eventful life.  

Democracy is in retreat; we can’t take it for granted

By Sir John Major

(A speech at the UK Institute for Government in February and featured in the March issue of Orders of the Day.)

“In democracy we trust?”

We are living through a time of uncertainty and political turbulence – at home and overseas.  At home, we take democracy for granted; we should not. It is far more complex than simply having the right to vote. In many countries, there is widespread discontent of the governed, and democracy is in retreat. Nor is it in a state of grace in the UK.

In the last decades of the 20th Century, the number of democratic countries grew dramatically: The arbiter of civil liberties, Freedom House, classified 110 nations as democratic. Democrats were so confident that their way of government was the wave of the future that they stopped arguing for it. Their confidence was premature. In each of the last 15 years, democracy has shrunk a little, as political and civil liberties have been diminished.

In many countries, democracy has never taken root. Where it has, it risks being weakened by populism – often with added xenophobia or muzzled by elected autocracy. It is challenged by protest groups or new – and more extreme – political movements. Even our great allies in the United States are facing populist attacks on their democracy. We should beware: When America sneezes, we often catch their cold.

Good government has a duty to deliver unwelcome messages to electors. This is not easy in a world where politicians are under continuous scrutiny from an uncontrolled internet, 24-hour media, and an increasing number of impatient special interest groups. Under this spotlight, unwise promises are made to placate critics or win votes and – when these are not met – the public loses a little more faith.

The hard truth is that, while the government can do much, it cannot do everything. All problems cannot be swiftly and painlessly resolved on demand; it is impossible. If politicians admit that, they earn trust and respect. Discontent grows when inequality widens, incomes stagnate, or when problems seem unsolvable. The benefit of the doubt – that most precious of political commodities – is lost when governments are seen to be “failing.”

In the last 20 years, a financial crash, unpopular wars, faltering globalization, and an unfair distribution of the benefits of growth have all contributed to the present sour resentment of government.

Our democracy has always been among the strongest and most settled in the world. It rests on the conviction that the UK Government acts for the wellbeing of all four of our nations. With nationalism growing – in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – not everyone shares that conviction. It also relies upon respect for the laws made in Parliament, an independent judiciary, acceptance of the conventions of public life, and self-restraint by the powerful. If any of that delicate balance goes astray – as it has, as it is – our democracy is undermined. In small but meaningful ways, our government is culpable of failing to honour these conventions.

When governments fall short, candour is the best means of binding up support. But that candour must be freely offered – not dragged out under the searchlight of inquiries. If it is not whole-hearted and convincing, the loss of public trust can be swift and unforgiving.

We have seen that playing out recently. Trust in politics is at a low ebb, eroded by foolish behaviour, leaving a sense of unease about how our politics is being conducted. Too often, ministers have been evasive, and the truth has been optional. When ministers respond to legitimate questions with pre-prepared soundbites, half-truths, misdirection, or wild exaggeration, then respect for government and politics dies a little more. Misleading replies to questions invite disillusion. Outright lies breed contempt.

In our democracy, we can speak truth to power. But, if democracy is to be respected, power must also speak truth to the people. And yet, in recent years, that has not been happening. There has been cynicism about politics from the dawn of time. We are told that politicians are “all the same,” This untruth conditions electors to condone lies as though they were the accepted currency of public life. But politicians are not “all the same.” And lies are just not acceptable. To imply otherwise is to cheapen public life and slander the vast majority of elected politicians who do not knowingly mislead. But some do – and their behaviour is corrosive. This tarnishes both politics and the reputation of Parliament. It is a dangerous trend.

If lies become commonplace, truth ceases to exist. What and who, then, can we believe? The risk is …. nothing and no one. And where are we then? Parliament is an echo chamber. Lies can become accepted as fact, which – as The Speaker has pointed out – has consequences for policy and reputation. That is why deliberate lies to Parliament have been fatal to political careers – and must always be so.

If trust in the word of our leaders in Parliament is lost – then trust in government will be lost too. At No10, the prime minister and officials broke (pandemic) lockdown laws. Brazen excuses were dreamed up. Day after day, the public was asked to believe the unbelievable. Ministers were sent out to defend the indefensible – making themselves look gullible or foolish. Collectively, this has made the government look distinctly shifty, which has consequences that go far beyond political unpopularity.

No government can function properly if its every word is treated with suspicion. A report by the Constitution Unit of University College London tells us that the public trusts the courts more than the civil service, the civil service more than Parliament, and Parliament more than the prime minister. The lack of trust in the elected portion of our democracy cannot be brushed aside. Parliament has a duty to correct this. If it does not, and trust is lost at home, our politics is broken. If trust in our word is lost overseas, we may no longer be able to work effectively with friends and partners for mutual benefit – or even security.

Unfortunately, that trust is being lost, and our reputation overseas has fallen because of our conduct. We are weakening our influence in the world. We should be wary. Even a casual glance at overseas comment shows our reputation is being shredded. A nation that loses friends and allies becomes a weaker nation. 

And, when ministers attack or blame foreign governments to gain populist support at home, we are not taken seriously. Megaphone diplomacy merely increases hostility overseas. International trust may not be easy to regain. 

(Sir John Major served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1990 to 1997, and as Member of Parliament for Huntingdon, formerly Huntingdonshire, from 1979 to 2001. Sir John delivered this speech at the Institute of Government on Feb. 10, 2022. As Prime Minister, Sir John Major oversaw Britain’s most prolonged period of continuous economic growth and the beginning of the Northern Ireland Peace Process. Following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997, Major was appointed a special guardian to Princes William and Harry with responsibility for legal and administrative matters. The Institute for Government is the leading UK think tank working to make government more effective.)

BC Youth Parliament goes virtual again, but so resilient

By Megan Ryan-Lloyd, BCYP Minister of Public Relations

Youth aged 16 to 21 from across British Columbia gathered virtually for the 93rd session of the British Columbia Youth Parliament (BCYP) from December 27 to 31.

Instead of taking time to relax during the Christmas holidays, these 97 young community leaders spent their time participating in an opportunity to learn about parliamentary procedure and the importance of community service.

After the 92nd BCYP sat virtually last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, plans were well underway for a return to an in-person session at the Parliament Buildings this year. However, due to updated Public Health Orders issued just before the holidays, the event was moved online with a week to spare. While very disappointed not to be gathering in person, the youth understood a virtual session is the best way to keep themselves and their communities safe.

 Premier Kishoore Ramanathan said: “Built upon the values of service, education, community, collaboration, and leadership, BCYP draws youth together through a variety of projects. While we were disappointed not to be gathering in the Legislative Chamber, we were committed to providing a very positive experience for our members and charted our plans for the year ahead.”

BCYP is a non-partisan, youth-led community service-focused organization founded in 1924. Every year, BCYP members meet to propose and debate new projects and plans for the upcoming year.

 Our annual BCYP projects include running Regional Youth Parliaments around the province. These regional events teach high school students about parliamentary democracy and procedure. In this session, the Minister of Parliamentary Education, Amelia Brooker, tabled BCYP’s “Annual Education Plan.” This report describes learning outcomes for these regional youth parliaments and BCYP’s annual session. The other key project run by BCYP is Camp Phoenix, a sleep-away summer camp for kids who would not otherwise be able to attend summer camp, commonly due to financial or social reasons.

 In addition to these service projects, the House passed three more significant projects in their Service, Education and Volunteering Act (SEVA.)

The other acts passed by the House included the Camp Phoenix Act, Parliamentary Activities Act, Supply Act, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, and Ministerial Responsibilities Amendment Act. While these pieces of legislation are still subject to Senate approval (BCYP’s board of directors), having these bills passed in the House signals commitment and support for these significant initiatives.

Members also discussed social issues through Private Members Resolutions. Topics included gender-discriminatory pricing in hair salons and mandatory education on Asian history. These debates allowed youth to engage with peers on a range of issues and hear opinions from all sides.

As per other years, we had the traditional awards and some new awards. The Parliamentarian of the Year Award went to Zara Herbert and Christina Kim. This award is given to members of the previous session who have contributed the most in all three areas of BCYP, including attending or organizing BCYP events, individual and group service, and fundraising.

The Inspiring New Member award for second-year members who made exceptional contributions to BCYP’s projects during their first year was given to Anna Hulbert and Maryam Aboukhatwa. The Fisi Award for Service was awarded to Marika Leigh, a parliamentarian who has shown exemplary dedication to serving the youth of British Columbia through non-BCYP service projects as well as BCYP-organized events. Finally, the Bond Shield, awarded to the parliamentarian who raised the most money for BCYP in the last Parliament, went to Jessana Akehurst.

During this new session, House Leaders for next year’s 94th Parliament were elected. The premier-elect is Abby Head, a UBC student from Powell River. Nathan Chang will be Leader of the Opposition-elect; he is another UBC student from Richmond. Our new Deputy Speaker-elect is Jessana Akehurst, a McGill Student from Delta.

 This session also celebrated seven ageing-out members. These long-serving members have turned 21. There was much sadness saying farewell and thanking these remarkable colleagues. All things considered, our second online session of BCYP again highlighted our collective passion, resiliency, and drive. We hope to return for a second sitting of Parliament in the spring, but plans are in the air as we move forward into 2022. Cabinet and members of the House alike are excited to get to work on our service projects, and all in all, the virtual sitting of the 93rd BCYP was one to remember.

2022 AFMLABC MEMBERSHIP DUES

& OOTD SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE DUE

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Remembering Gerry Strongman

 Socred stalwart, philanthropist, fearless entrepreneur

Former Socred MLA Gerry Strongman (Vancouver South, 1975 – 1979) recently passed away peacefully at his North Vancouver home surrounded by his family.

Born and raised in Bloor West Village in Toronto, Gerry's early years were shaped by the experiences of growing up in a close-knit, hard-working family. An only child and direct descendant of the Strongman farming family who immigrated from England in 1865, Gerry's grandfather and great grandfather continued the farming tradition for generations.

In 1963, Gerry met Judy, and the two were married at St. Hillary's Anglican Church, Mississauga. The couple moved to Vancouver in 1967 with son Marc and daughters Seanna and Nicole soon coming along.

By 1970, his company, Tonecraft Paint and Varnish, had evolved into a national brand under the name Color Your World, with stores and associated real estate holdings in every major Canadian city. While the highly successful paint and wallpaper chain changed hands in the mid-1980s, Gerry's refined business acumen and seemingly tireless ability to reinvent himself eventually evolved into the Strongman Group Inc., led jointly by him and Marc.

 Gerry never lost sight of what he cared about most or the trust he placed in his family and his closest and most valued advisors despite taxing demands associated with running a national real estate investment and management company.

 A fearless pioneer and entrepreneur, Gerry remained humbly civic-minded. He cared deeply about the North Shore and earned the respect of colleagues and citizens alike through his ability to envision a strong community future and uncommon willingness to work harder than anyone else at the table to get there.

Gerry was elected to the Legislature for the riding of Vancouver South, where from 1975 – 1979, he held a prominent position with the Social Credit Party.

As Chairman of BC Financial and the World Business Council (BC Chapter), Director of the Whistler Land Corporation, Progressive Conservative Canada Fund, and BC Pavilion during Expo '86, Gerry's longstanding commitment to community ventures speaks for itself. This commitment was also realized by the establishment of the Seanna and Nicole Memorial Fund that provides financial awards to two students from each high school in North Vancouver. Seanna and Nicole died in 1982.

Over the past years, Gerry and Judy developed and sponsored numerous funds and charities benefiting health and education sectors on the North Shore and in their beloved second home in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Arguably one of the Lower Mainland's most committed and loyal philanthropists, Gerry insisted that all aspects of the Strongman Group would remain family-focused and that the beneficiaries of their efforts and successes would be recipients who earned and embodied family values of citizenship, leadership, and excellence in arts, culture, athletics and scholarship.

Gerry was a voracious reader, an avid golfer and supporter of the Vancouver Club, and a member of Capilano and Mississauga Golf Clubs. He loved skiing, basketball and running. A gracious host and generous mentor, Gerry's unassuming care and commitment to the needs of others was largely unspoken. He was action-oriented and undeniably intentional in all that he did, including saving his wisdom for those he cared for the most. He showed unfaltering love for and devotion to his family. His legacy, which is admittedly challenging to capture in mere words, is of a husband, father, grandfather, partner and friend who was the foundation of all things good, all things just, all things possible, and all things for which he would accept no credit.

 Gerry is survived by his life-long love, partner and wife of 58 years, Judy, by his son, Marc (Kerry), and his three grandchildren, Alexandra, Bailey and Liam.  

Remembering Allan Warnke

 A political scientist in the classroom and on the street

 Allan Warnke – political scientist, former Richmond-Steveston MLA and a member of Gordon Wilson's Liberal "Class of '91" – passed away earlier this summer.

 Warnke represented the Richmond-Steveston riding for the BC Liberals from 1991 to 1996.

There were 17 Liberal MLAs elected in 1991 as the Social Credit Party unravelled and the NDP claimed a majority behind Mike Harcourt. In opposition, Warnke was the Official Opposition Critic for Aboriginal Affairs.

 Warnke once told his Vancouver Island University (VIU) colleague Alexander Netherton that being an elected parliamentarian was the greatest honour of his life. "His second great honour was to carry the mace at the VIU graduation at the end of his final term," Netherton told OOTD. 

Warnke's political science affiliation with VIU spanned two decades. Netherton, who is a Professor of Political Studies, worked with Allan.

"Allan Warnke was a popular and inciteful instructor and colleague," Netherton says. "He undertook his graduate work at the University of Toronto, where he began a lifelong interest in international and domestic law."

 In the political arena, Warnke was left-leaning. "When Gordon Campbell became the BC Liberal leader, and the party began its transition to the right, Warnke jumped ship and ran unsuccessfully for the anti-globalization Canadian Action Party (CAP) in the 2000 and 2004 elections. The CAP was not politically successful, and Allan then returned to academics, finding work in the Department of Political Studies at Vancouver Island University," Netherton says.

 "It became clear that teaching politics was not simply a second path for Allan, but rather a calling. Allan was always well-read and continually participated in the Northwest Political Science Association conferences. His years of practical political experience, coupled with his academic talent and remarkable capacity for narration made him a hit lecturer. His commitment to students won him great respect.

 "His students and colleagues will remember his patience, gentle wit, his non-judgemental Socratic style and generosity with his time, as well as his ability to tell a story."

 Warnke grew up as an only child with parents who had moved from Alberta to Hope. Allan and his wife, Geraldine, travelled extensively, making yearly trips to conferences from Dubai to Los Angeles. Geraldine predeceased Alan in 2018. Her favourite destination was southern California, especially the many times she and Allan stayed at the Beverly Hilton with a poolside suite and lunch nearby at the Polo Lounge.

 Warnke recently told OOTD: "In 1989, a candidate search committee for the Liberals approached me at my home in Richmond and asked me to run in the next provincial election. I declined as I had just accepted a position as Department Chair at Vancouver Island University. I was approached again a year later and was acclaimed as the Liberal candidate for the 1991 election.

 "I was interested in politics in my early years. I met Tommy Douglas in Langley, and he recognized my grandmother. He beamed and said: "Agnes! How are you?" Until that moment, I never knew her first name. Later, in Toronto, I supported and got to know John Roberts and Bob Kaplan very well. My mentor was Brian Bailey of Thornhill (a former Reeve), the best campaigner anywhere, respected even by the Conservatives.

 "Through the years, I learned that despite the adversarial nature of the legislature, those facing you are not enemies," Warnke said. "I loved campaigning but also understood government organization and legislative procedure. And I found the role of a policy advocate very rewarding," Warnke said.

North Shore’s popular MLA Dan Jarvis dies at 85

Former North Vancouver-Seymour MLA Daniel Jarvis died in late June.

Dan, a Liberal, was very popular with voters throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s, winning four successive elections from 1991 to 2005 with pluralities ranging from 56 to 65 per cent. 

While in Opposition he served as the Deputy Critic for Children and Families, the Energy and Mines Deputy Critic, and the Critic for ICBC. He also served as a member of the Government Caucus Committee on Natural Resources as well as the Legislative Standing Committee for Crown Corporations. And, he served on the Mining Task Force.

In March 2009, Dan announced his retirement from provincial politics and endorsed Jane Thornthwaite to replace him as a candidate in the upcoming provincial election, a recommendation later supported by the party's election readiness committee.

Former Liberal Premier Gordon Campbell remembers Dan well: "Dan Jarvis was a constituency MLA first and foremost. He represented the people who built the province with hard work and perseverance. He was first elected in 1991 as the MLA for North Vancouver Seymour. I first met him 1993, when I first decided to run for the leadership of the BC Liberal Party. I remember the meeting because the first thing Dan said to me was that he wasn’t sure why I was talking to him. He told me with a twinkle in his eye, ‘There was no one more surprised than me when I was first elected.’ That was Dan. Sparkle in his eyes, teasing you if he cared to and, equally, never taking himself too seriously. 

“He worked hard and never lost his focus on his constituents. As a critic for BC Hydro and for ICBC, he always remembered the people who were paying the bills and held the people who were spending their money to account. He genuinely cared about the communities he served. 

“I remember in 2005, when there were torrential rains inundated North Vancouver and in the middle of the night, a major slide of mud and debris destroyed two homes, put others at risk and cost one resident their life. The rain would not relent, and Dan was there at the site as the rain poured down, making sure the province gave his constituents all the assistance they needed. He continued for months afterwards to be sure homeowners in precarious situations had support.  

“He loved mining and saw it as a foundation for the future of BC’s economy and he understood the competitive advantages that BC Hydro could offer every British Columbian. 

“He will be missed; one never forgets a man like Dan Jarvis." 

Former Speaker and MLA Linda Reid recalls: “Danny and I were heading to a caucus meeting in the Interior during our first term post 1991. I had recently taken on critic responsibility for Women's Equality. We stop for gas and Dan says in honour of your new role "you get the gas and I will get the chocolate bars." I can still hear him chuckling halfway to Kamloops. 

“Daniel was my best friend and a gracious host. He had Reni Masi and I over to his apartment and decided to serve us a snack while we were working. There we were eating Ritz crackers with a dollop of ketchup when his wife Dianne calls. I can still hear her laughter as she tells Danny that he has forgotten to add the smoked oyster to the dollop of ketchup. 

“Danny was a joy to behold on his feet in the Chamber. He was the best spokesperson for Energy/Mines bar none. It still makes me smile to recall the bemused looks from the Government benches when Danny would point out that a direction of government would see them "going south in a breadbasket." Danny believed the phrase "hell in a handbasket" was unparliamentary.

“Heartfelt thanks to his wife Dianne, his daughter Catherine, his son Danny and their families. You shared an incredible gift with me and with his constituents. He truly was the best loved MLA. I will always be grateful for his steadfastness, his friendship, and his humour.” 

Before being elected to the Legislature Dan was involved in the real estate and construction industries. He also worked in the general insurance industry for 10 years.

He had a long history of community service. He was involved in amateur sports including girls softball and hockey. He coached and organized girls baseball leagues. Daniel was past-president and organizer of the North Vancouver Minor Hockey Association. Daniel also co-owned and served as president of the old Nor-Wes Caps Junior Hockey Association. He was also a member of the Capilano Kiwanis Association.

Dan volunteered on behalf of the Salvation Army, the Heart Fund, the Multiple Sclerosis Association, the Canadian Diabetes Association and the BC Cancer Agency. 

You could always count on Dan to promote the best interests of the North Shore. It started with his maiden speech in the Legislature in March 1992: “On our foreshores are the homes of some of the oldest shipyards which have had remarkable history of shipbuilding in this province. They are presently constructing the hulls for the new super ferries. The shipbuilding and repair sector has faced major setbacks in the last few years and this has had a major impact on the people and the economy of North Shore. We must work to improve and resolve this maritime industry.” 

85 years of giving

The Victoria Foundation:  An AFMLABC partner helping youth

By Joan Barton

Talk about a partnership: Let’s have a look at the AFMLABC’s Hugh Curtis Memorial Fund and its grants to the BC Youth Parliament through the Victoria Foundation.

The Victoria Foundation provides stewardship for the Hugh Curtis Memorial Fund which was established by the AFMLABC to honour Hugh Curtis, a founding member of the Association. The Victoria Foundation administers the fund by performing administrative functions on behalf of the Association. The Hugh Curtis Memorial Fund is its fund which is created by gifts from the many.

The Victoria Foundation now has about $421 million in assets under its administration. The benefits to the AFMLABC is that this association removes the burden of administering the Hugh Curtis Memorial Fund and invests the small Hugh Curtis Memorial Fund (currently at $28,000) with larger funds and so guarantees a good return on investment, even in poor economic times.

The present fund generally provides an annual interest which covers the $1,000 needed to fund the grants for two members of the BC Youth Parliament – one male and one female living outside the Lower Mainland/Greater Victoria area – to attend meetings in the Parliament Buildings in December each year.   The grants cover travel and living expenses for the two students and ensure that the BC Youth Parliament remains a provincial entity rather than a youth organization for southern British Columbia only.

The AFMLABC is the donor-advisor of the Hugh Curtis Memorial and advises the Victoria Foundation on the grants each year. The Hugh Curtis Memorial Fund is a significant benefit to the BC Youth Parliament and the AFMLABC encourages everyone to contribute generously so that it will grow into a large, sustaining fund at the Victoria Foundation.

The AFMLABC is proud of this affiliation with the Victoria Foundation, one of the oldest philanthropic organizations in Canada. For more than 85 years the Victoria Foundation’s donors and partner organizations have touched the lives of British Columbians, strengthening individuals, families and the community at large.

In its early days the Victoria Foundation met in the Sunshine Inn, Victoria’s only soup kitchen during the Great Depression. The Foundation was established by an Act of the BC Legislature in 1936 when its founder, Burges Gadsden, had his vision of a community foundation come to fruition with the first donation of $20 from his mother, Fannie.  The Foundation at the Sunshine Inn served two meals a day – breakfast and supper – to anybody in need.

 The Foundation grew slowly, and by 1969, with assets of just over $22,000, it was able to make its first grants that totalled $7,000. Over the following decades, through its connections with the charitable sector, the Victoria Foundation has become the go-to resource centre for community philanthropy.

With the Victoria Foundation’s commitment to “connecting people who care with causes that matter,” the AFMLABC can be justly proud of its association with a philanthropic body which mirrors its own values of leadership and giving back to the community.

Please donate to the Hugh Curtis Memorial Fund

The Association of Former MLAs of BC looks forward to your donations to the Hugh Curtis Memorial Fund to assist members of the Youth Parliament of BC. The fund is managed by the Victoria Foundation.

By phone: Call 250-381-5532 to make a donation by credit card directly. By cheque: To the Victoria Foundation, #200 - 703 Broughton Street, Victoria, B.C., V8N 1E2. Cheque payable to The Victoria Foundation. Note the name of the fund in the memo line or in a cover letter. Online: Go to www.victoriafoundation.bc.ca. Click on “Giving” in the navigation bar and then on “Make a Donation.” After that just follow the prompts to find the Hugh Curtis Memorial Fund.

If you have any questions about how to make a donation to the Victoria Foundation, please contact Sara Neely, Director of Philanthropic Services, at 250-381-5532 or sneely@victoriafoundation.bc.ca

The grizzlies of the “Khutz” lose their shining knight

By Bruce Strachan

In April, when Prince Philip was laid to rest it was just another day of freedom and foraging for the grizzlies of the Khutzeymateen. How could they know their shining knight and protector was gone.

By way of background, Prince Philip had a long-standing interest in environmental issues. He was no latter-day “save-the-planet” activist, rather a leader in supporting well-thought-out plans to avoid degradation of species habitat. In 1970, the Prince was one of the founders of The 1001 Club, a Nature Trust endowment fund in aid of the World Wildlife Fund. Prince Philip also served as president of the World Wildlife Fund from 1981 to 1996.

Fast forward to British Columbia 1987 when a plan was being formulated to log in the Khutzeymateen Valley. The application was from a small logging company and the plan called for a small cut. However, the implications were anything but small and were heard around the world.

First, the Khutzeymateen was prime grizzly bear habitat considered among the best in the world. Mild climate, abundant feed including salmon in the fall when grizzlies have to fatten up for winter. The other important factor is that grizzlies do not adapt at all to human presence or activity. Interesting, the only animal in North America that could live anywhere it wants, prefers privacy and is uncomfortable with the presence of humans.

The Khutzamateen logging plan was brought to the Prince’s attention and during a 1987 visit to British Columbia he made a public comment about the intrusion of logging in such a sensitive wildlife area. This resulted in a lively cabinet discussion, but with the Prince on side the grizzlies the Ministry of Environment had a strong ally. The logging plan was sidelined. 

In the summer of 1988, I had the opportunity to visit the Khutz as we called it. A great trip, organized by Dan Culver. Culver was an adventurist and ecologist and true wilderness lover. Sadly, Culver died in a fall after climbing to K2. On the Khutz trip I also had the good fortune to meet a number of biologists who held a strong opinion of the valley as prime grizzly habitat.

We were dropped at the entrance to the valley and spent the next three days, cruising the river, fishing, observing grizzlies and learning to appreciate the wilderness and wildlife value of the Khutzetmateen.

Guiding us on this segment was Wayne McCrory. Wayne brought along an encyclopedic knowledge of grizzlies, a great sense of humour and a 12 gauge shotgun. Grizzlies can be temperamental at times. It was a great cruise and study of the area, the nice thing about the environment ministry is you can fish and be at work at the same time.

In 1989, the ministry instigated a thorough study of the Khutzeymateen grizzlies. The study lasted until 1991. Bears were radio-collared and monitored over the three years of the study. It was an intense and thorough look at the bears and their relationship to the Khutz. The study examined movements, food habits, reproduction, mortality and denning. The study’s technology included remote camera sites, while aerial and ground telemetry methods were used to determine habitat use and what areas were selected and preferred by grizzly bears on a seasonal basis.

On August 15, 1994, the provincial government established the Khutzeymateen Gizzly Bear Sanctuary as a Class A Park. In 2008, the Khutszeymateen Inlet Conservancy was established to further enhance grizzly bear and habitat protection.

It’s a long way from the Prince’s first serious interest in wildlife that began in the 1970s, but it shows us the value of influential opinions and how a genuine concern and knowledge over an issue can affect the way we manage important habitat.

 The Prince lived a good long life, he served the monarchy and the Commonwealth well. He was ahead of his time in environmental awareness and for that we can be thankful.

 RIP Prince Philip.

(Bruce Strachan serves as secretary on the AFMLABC board of directors. He was the Social Credit MLA for Prince George South from 1979 to 1991. He served as Minister of State for the Cariboo, Minister of Advanced Education, Training and Technology and Environment Minister.)

AFMLABC President Ian Waddell has left the stadium

Ian Waddell, the energized AFMLABC president, has died. If ever it could be said a death came too soon, this is it. He died at age 78 full of life and promise.

Ian had recently undergone what he described as routine heart surgery. He had hired a physical training coach and was skiing and golfing. He never felt better. He was full of energy and was excited about getting the AFMLABC on a solid financial footing with the help of the Legislature.

AFMLABC Vice President Dave Hayer said: “Ian had so much energy and so many hopes for the association and its members. Amongst his priorities were increased funding from both public and private sector supporters of the association’s non-partisan mandate; new initiatives such as videoed interviews with former members to share their stories for broadcast; and, webinars featuring special guests leading topical discussions. Ian believed the political arena should be a shared experience. All were welcome. He understood what most retired politicians come to appreciate, that regardless of our political stripe there is more that brings us together in the cause of good governance than those fleeting partisan issues that keep us two sword lengths apart.”

Ian was a former provincial cabinet minister credited with helping BC secure the bid for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.

The Vancouver Sun reported that condolences poured in for Waddell, who following four terms as an NDP member of parliament and one term as an MLA, and made his mark in Vancouver’s film industry as an entertainment lawyer, film producer and author.

Waddell died at home Monday night. A cause of death was not announced.

“I’m saddened to learn of the passing of Ian Waddell,” said Premier John Horgan, who said Waddell was the first person to welcome him to Parliament Hill when Horgan worked as a legislative assistant 35 years ago.

“Everything he did, he approached with passion and a desire to make progress for people,” Horgan said.

Waddell was elected as an NDP MLA in 1996 when he narrowly won the riding of Vancouver-Fraserview. Former premier Glen Clark told Postmedia News on Tuesday that owing to his energetic boosterism for the province, Waddell was his natural choice for minister of tourism and culture in 1998.

“He had a big, shameless, upbeat personality,” Clark said. “He was a terrific tourism minister. He’s a booster. He loved being positive about Canada and British Columbia.”

Waddell persuaded Clark that the province was falling behind other jurisdictions when it came to attracting film and production companies and he dramatically increased the film tax credit, which helped foster a multi-billion dollar industry in B.C.

On Sunday, Waddell posted a photo to Twitter from his Vancouver balcony with the caption: “The view from my deck today as the blossoms start. See Stanley Park in distance and the rest of Canada over the coastal mountains. Paradise.”

Horgan said Waddell’s countless accomplishments include helping boost the province’s film industry “into the thriving Hollywood North that it is today and being instrumental in getting the 2010 Vancouver Olympics bid off the ground. He was a defender of our environment, an accomplished author and lawyer, and worked to make life better for young people at every opportunity.”

Health Minister Adrian Dix said Tuesday that he’s mourning the loss of a friend, former boss and colleague.

“This is a big loss in our lives,” he said. “When I think of Ian, I think of him with a smile. He had an energy for life.”

Dix was an aide to Waddell as an MP and worked on Waddell’s unsuccessful bid to lead the federal NDP in 1989 following the resignation of Ed Broadbent. Dix also worked for Clark when Waddell was in the provincial cabinet.

Dix said Waddell was pivotal in pushing for Vancouver to host the 2010 Winter Olympics over Calgary and Quebec City.

Waddell’s career in provincial politics followed a 14-year career as a member of parliament. Waddell was the NDP MP for Vancouver Kingsway from 1979 to 1989 and then represented the riding of Port Moody-Coquitlam until 1993. During his time in Ottawa, Waddell was instrumental in ensuring constitutional protection for Indigenous peoples and treaty rights was enshrined in the repatriated Canadian constitution in 1982.

Once out of politics, Waddell produced a documentary about why young people don’t vote which won a best producer award at the Beverly Hills Film Festival. Waddell also served as president of the Association of Former Members of Parliament Foundation.

UNBC student grateful for AFMLABC scholarship

by Kostas Bach

To start off, I want to thank you for choosing me as a recipient of the Association of Former MLAs of BC Scholarship. It is a great blessing to have a portion of my schooling paid for, having some of the added pressure of tuition costs taken off my shoulders.

The scholarship has enabled me to continue to pursue my degree in English and Political Science at the University of Northern BC. It enabled me to focus more on school and doing my best work than on working to be able to finance my education. I have also been able to work on giving back to the community, participating as a volunteer for Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, a campus ministry group. This has enabled me to create friendships and have fun memories as a part of my university experience. It has also allowed me to work on my leadership skills, something I am always working on.

After university, my plan is to go to law school to pursue a Juris Doctor degree, focussing on criminal defense. I have always had a mind for justice, so the legal system interests me greatly. I also hope to pursue a political position in the future, potentially running as a candidate to be a Member of Parliament.

The more I learn about the political system, the more it interests me. Good leadership is crucial to a good country, so I hope to become a part of that one day. In the pursuit of this goal, I plan on becoming a member of the university senate next year, getting my foot in the door of politics and beginning to understand it in practice.

Thank you once again; I am blessed and honoured to have been chosen to receive the Association of Former MLAs of BC Scholarship.

Sincerely, Kostas Bach

(Editor's note: Emmy Blouin, Development Officer – Donor Relation at UNBC, tells OOTD that a total of 17 students have been recipients of the Association of Former MLAs of BC endowment scholarships since it was established in 2004. To be eligible for the $1,500 award recipients must be full-time students enrolled in Political Science who demonstrate an interest in future public service. The criteria include satisfactory academic standing and a letter indicating the student's desire to enter into politics through public service or a legislative assembly.)

The President’s Report for December’s issue of OOTD

By Ian Waddell

I'm urging recently retired MLAs – some by choice, some not – to join our Association of Former MLAs of BC (AFMLABC). If I may strike a personal note, I know what it's like to lose an election (lost four) and frankly it hurts. I also know the thrill of winning and, more importantly, serving (won five). I am also pleased to report that I, and many others, have found we can continue to serve Canadian democracy in “retirement.”

Look at the mandate of the AFMLABC as set out in an act of our Legislature:

•  To put the knowledge and experience of its members at the service of parliamentary democracy in British Columbia and elsewhere;

•  To serve the public interest by providing non- partisan support for the parliamentary system of government in British Columbia;

• To foster a spirit of community among former MLAs;

•  To foster good relations between current and former

  MLAs; and

• To protect and promote the interests of former MLAs.

Our current Board of Directors includes women and men from all parties, former backbenchers, ministers, even a former librarian, all of whom, like me, have found a way to continue to contribute. Through our association and the Hugh Curtis Foundation Fund, we sponsor young people to attend the annual Youth Parliament. Also, we have plans to secure more regular funding for our association so we can undertake programs like a video archive of member interviews about their time in politics. We hope to broadcast these on the parliamentary channel. We are looking at “Legislature to Campus” programs following the experience of the Former Canadian Parliamentarians Foundation. All this is designed to promote democracy for a new generation.

To conclude, again on a personal note, I missed the Legislature (and also the House of Commons) and have great memories, but found getting involved as a member of BC and federal associations really worthwhile. I think you might too. Please join us. You will find membership details on Page 16 of the December issue. You can find it in this website’s Archive section. Or simply read the item below.

Greetings retired MLAs, thank you for your service

An invitation to join AFMLABC from: President Ian Waddell,

 and Membership Chair Ken Jones

Welcome to the Association of Former MLAs of BC. You have served long and well and richly deserve to kick back and let a new wave of politicians embrace the challenges and rewards of public service.

 The thing is, once an MLA always an MLA. For years to come folks will stop you on the street and ask your help. Most of you will still try to be there for them.

 Our members tell us that in retirement, they come to better appreciate that good governance trumps partisan divides. Old foes become friends. Issues that seemed black and white become more nuanced.

 You will also want to stay connected. That’s where the AFMLABC comes in.

 The Association’s goals are compelling in these troubling times. Its mandate is to:

·       Put the knowledge and experience of its members at the service of parliamentary democracy in British Columbia and elsewhere;

·       Serve the public interest by providing non-partisan support for the parliamentary system of government in British Columbia;

·       Foster a spirit of community among former MLAs; and

·       Build good relations between current and former MLAs.

 Joining is simple. Go to the PAYMENTS page on this website and follow the prompts. For more information, email us at ootd.afmlabc@gmail.com.

If your $60 payment is by cheque please mail to:

ASSOCIATION OF FORMER MLAS OF BC

PO BOX 31009, UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS PO

VICTORIA, BC V8N 6J3

Reni Masi: “The Coach,” inspired us to play better

By Gordon Hogg

I first met Reni when I was in Grade 11.  He coached the Queen Elizabeth High School basketball team and we lost to them. I was impressed that he spoke to me after the game. I found out later that he spoke to many of the players on our team. He was thoughtful, friendly and complementary.

He was that same person each time I spent time with him.

When I was a probation officer and had youths attending his school, we discussed how to support and assist them. He was compassionate, supportive and caring.

He asked me to join his Thursday evening basketball team. I did and going to the bar after the games was always a highlight for me. We talked about our community, our province and our country and what it meant to be a “good citizen.” He was a great citizen and an immensely proud Canadian.

We maintained contact over the years. I was on White Rock City Council and became mayor and Reni was a mentor. When there was a byelection for Surrey-White Rock, he encouraged me to run. We became teammates in the Liberal Caucus and we started the BC Liberal Lakers basketball team and resumed our post-basketball pub gatherings.

Penny Priddy, then Minister of Education, often invited Reni and I to her legislature office to sample wine and discuss issues. Those evenings were wonderful, positive learning sessions.

Reni and I went to watch his son wrestle - it was professional wrestling and we were invited into the dressing room to watch the contestants rehearse prior to the show. It reminded us of Question Period preparations.

Reni seemed to know everyone and he was always greeted with a smile, a handshake and a “remember when” story.

When he left provincial politics, he went back to his first passion – education. He was elected a school trustee and he brought his experiences, caring and congenial approach with him.

He was always optimistic, inclusive and encouraging. He often referenced Susan and his family as sources of information, encouragement and support.

He was always “the Coach” … engaging positively and inspiring us to play better.

Reni died in late October at 87.

He was a teacher for 15 years and a principal for 20 in Surrey. While he ran unsuccessfully provincially in Surrey in 1966 and twice federally (1980 and 1984), it wasn’t until he retired from being a principal in 1991 that he began thinking more seriously about entering political life.

After a two-year stint coaching basketball at Holy Cross High School, Masi served as president of the BC Liberal Party from 1994 to 1995. A year later, he threw his hat in the ring to represent the Delta-North and served the constituency until 2005. In opposition, he served as the Official Opposition Deputy Critic for Advanced Education, Training and Technology.

In 2005, he became a member of Surrey’s Board of Education and served three terms. Upon retirement he said: “Obviously, I was concerned about education, as an educator. My focus was education, not politics.”

Some of the other things Masi felt passionately about were establishing community schools and expanding the International Baccalaureate program. “That was important because it’s an excellent program,” he said. “We’ve sent a lot of kids to major universities through that program – top, first-class universities.”

He also helped the board fight for – and eventually receive – equitable funding which, due to a flawed government formula, repeatedly left Surrey getting significantly less money than similarly sized districts such as Vancouver.

(Gordie Hogg was the Mayor of White Rock from 1984 to 1993. He served as the Liberal MLA for Surrey – White Rock from 1997 until 2017. He was the Minister of Child and Family Development from 2001 to 2004. He also served as MP for South Surrey – White Rock 2017 until 2019.)

In the June issue of Orders of the Day:

Check “the box in the basement”

By Penny Priddy, OOTD Editorial Board Chair

Former MLAs … Orders of the Day needs your help! OOTD has an excellent reputation and is considered the best newsletter for former provincial parliamentarians in Canada. Brian Kieran and Rob Lee do a stellar job of finding interesting articles and producing this newsletter.

 We need your help. There is one very important thing that Brian and Rob cannot do: They cannot write personal stories about your memories as an MLA.The most frequent request that we receive at OOTD is to include more stories, letters to the editor and opinion pieces from former legislators.

 Here is how you can help! I expect most of us have a box in the basement, the attic or in storage. It is usually full of clippings, relevant papers and photographs of our time serving this province. I know that when I open mine I find things that make me laugh and things that break my heart. I find things that I am proud of and things that make me wonder.

 During this time of COVID-19 we all have some extra time at home. Please go through the treasured memories contained in your box, dust them off and write us a letter or send us a story. We need your contributions to sustain OOTD. Please help.

 In addition, we would welcome comments and observations from you about the challenges and successes that we see around us. Just imagine the next legislative session with all of the new requirements for safety.

Thank you in advance for your contributions. The next “Summer” issue comes out in the last week of July and the deadline for submissions will be July 15th. Through the fall and winter the monthly deadline for material is the 25th.

 Photographs may be welcomed by our excellent Legislative Library. For more information contact Sheri Ostapovich, Technical Services Librarian, Legislative Library of BC, Room 359, Parliament Buildings, Victoria, BC  V8V 1X4 or call 250.952.0807.

 Brian Kieran can be reached at ootd.afmlabc@gmail.com or by mail at: P.O. Box 31009, University Heights P.O., Victoria, BC V8N 6J3.

(This article, and others, are featured in the June issue of Orders of the Day. To subscribe to the monthly publication go to the “Payments” page on this site ($40 for non-members). This page allows you to make payments to the AFMLABC electronically … that’s everything from subscriptions to association dues to dinner tickets. Please include a note in the “Comments” box so we know how to allocate your payment. In the “Invoice/Order Number” box you can simply insert the numerical date of the transaction. Or, you can snail mail us a cheque to The Association of Former MLAs of BC, PO  Box 31009, University Heights PO, Victoria, BC V8N 6J3.)

Continuing Legislative Assembly business during a crisis

By Kate Ryan-Lloyd, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly 

Since BC confirmed its first case of COVID-19 in January, the Legislative Assembly has closely monitored the recommendations of the Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix.

Accordingly, our Administration adapted our business continuity plan. After the adjournment for the spring break on March 5th, the Administration established a COVID-19 Response Team and activated its Pandemic Response Plan. 

Enhanced cleaning protocols were initiated and regular communications from the Office of the Clerk and Human Resource Operations began for Members, caucus and Assembly staff and all other Precinct building occupants. Remote work arrangements for most staff were established and staff were equipped to work from home. 

By March 13th,  public tours were cancelled and increased sanitation protocols introduced. By March 16th, the buildings were closed to the public until further notice.

Today, we continue to support core operations with a small team in the buildings while more than 80 per cent of staff and most caucus staff work remotely.

On March 30th, the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts became the first parliamentary committee to hold a meeting entirely by videoconference. One month later, we have hosted seven public committee meetings using the videoconferencing platform Zoom which features security provisions that can be optimized by meeting hosts.

Interested citizens can continue to follow parliamentary committee proceedings through our Hansard broadcast channel or on the Assembly website. Zoom has proven a suitable alternative to in-person meetings during these exceptional times, providing us with a mechanism to support operational continuity of parliamentary committees. An enhanced rollout of Zoom in the months ahead will support a busy summer season of public hearings with the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services’ annual budget consultation process beginning in June, along with another set of public hearings with the Special Committee to Review the Personal Information Protection Act.  

We are also assessing the feasibility of using video conferencing software to support a virtual meeting of Legislative Assembly. Other options include supporting  ‘physically distanced sitting of the House as occurred on March 23rd, or a hybrid approach that would have some Members in the Chamber and others joining virtually.

The March 23rd special one-day sitting was focused on consideration and adoption of special supply, budgetary and legislative matters to address the Covid-19 pandemic and its substantive economic consequences for our province. At the close of that sitting, the Assembly adopted a “long adjournment motion” that said the location and means of conducting sittings can be altered due to an emergency situation or public health measures.

A virtual sitting of the Assembly will require preparation and teamwork by all and will include the involvement and input of Speaker Darryl Plecas, the House Leaders and all Members. While that work is already underway, we recognize that any virtual sitting will need to be carefully planned, with a clear structure and temporary procedural adaptations to replicate the basic functions of the Chamber.

The adapted proceedings should also facilitate the participation of as many Members as possible from all caucuses and reflect broad regional representation. Key procedural elements, such as seeking recognition from the Chair to speak, moving a motion and introducing a bill or tabling a document are all elements of a typical sitting. We are working through these procedural details in support of the institution and its Members.

 Perhaps by the time the next issue of Orders of the Day is published, we will have more to report. Times are changing but, as Dr. Henry has noted: This is just for now; it is not forever, and we look forward to resuming regular proceedings in the fullness of time.

BC’s celebrated defender of public process, Ted Hughes, dies

Ted Hughes, BC’s first Conflict of Interest Commissioner whose report led to the resignation of Premier Bill Vander Zalm, died Jan. 17th in Victoria. He was 92.

 Hughes was born in Saskatoon. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Saskatchewan near the end of the Second World War and began practising law in Saskatoon in 1952. He became a judge in 1962 and was promoted to the Saskatchewan Court of Queen's Bench in 1974.

Hughes stepped down from the bench in 1980 and moved to BC to become a legal advisor to the Attorney-General. He was appointed Deputy Attorney General in 1983 and chaired a series of public hearings into the government's cuts to legal aid in 1984.

 Hughes was appointed Conflict of Interest Commissioner in 1990. In 1991, Premier Bill Vander Zalm was accused of inappropriate behaviour in the sale of his family's Fantasy Gardens theme park. Hughes' report found that Vander Zalm had mixed private business with public responsibilities and had violated provincial conflict-of-interest guidelines.

 Hughes also investigated Premier Mike Harcourt over a possible conflict-of-interest involving a former campaign advisor who had started a company called NOW Communications. The company specialized in social marketing and received several contracts from the provincial government. Harcourt testified that he played no role in granting the contracts, and the matter ultimately came to nothing.

 In 1992, Hughes issued a report asserting that sexual discrimination against women pervaded every aspect of the provincial justice system, including hiring practices and the handling of sexual assault cases. He was most disturbed by the testimony of sexual assault and family violence victims.

 Hughes chaired a Justice Reform Committee from 1997 to ‘98 that led to significant changes to British Columbia's judicial structure.

 In 1998, Hughes was appointed to take over an existing inquiry into whether RCMP officers had acted improperly against protesters at the 1997 Asia-Pacific Summit. The inquiry, under the auspices of the RCMP Public Complaints Commission, had previously been led by a three-member panel, which itself became caught up in scandal and controversy. Hughes found evidence of widespread police incompetence and wrote that RCMP actions sometimes provoked violence and deprived protesters of their constitutional rights.

 In 2005, the government of Gordon Campbell appointed Hughes to examine its method of reviewing child deaths, following the violent death of an aboriginal girl in foster care. In his report, Hughes blamed a constant turnover in leadership, major policy shifts, and the government's budget cuts for undermining the system.

 Hughes was a staunch defender of a non-partisan, neutral public service. He once said: “My observation, across the provincial scene of our country … leads me to the conclusion that the Canadian tradition of a neutral career public service is increasingly under challenge. It is time for a forceful initiative to reverse it, to restate the virtues of the Canadian tradition and to appeal to the reason and logic of our elected representatives so that they and the people they represent will appreciate that they all will be much better served by an adherence to the time-tested procedures of the past rather than moving step-by-step to gut one of the greatest safeguards of vibrant parliamentary democracy.”

 Hughes and his wife, Helen, were heavily involved in service organizations in Greater Victoria, giving their time and dollars to issues such as ending homelessness. Hughes was the first co-chair of the Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness, a group that brings together voices to address the needs of a vulnerable population.

Former AFMLABC president Gillian Trumper passes at 83

Despite a busy life raising four kids and serving more than two decades in public office Gillian Trumper never said no to a request for help.

After 18 years as Port Alberni’s longest serving mayor, Gillian set her sights on Victoria and was elected as a Liberal in Alberni-Qualicum in 2001 with 53 per cent of the vote. Her seat would return to the NDP five years later, however, Gillian made good use of the time allotted to her in the Legislature.

“Everybody always talked about how hard she worked. She was always going,” said Maryann Charbonneau, a longtime family friend and Trumper’s constituency assistant during the four years she served as MLA for Alberni-Qualicum.

Gillian died Oct. 11 after several years of battling health issues. She was 83 years old.

 You can read the full story about her contributions to public life in BC in the November issue of Orders of the Day

Another great Government House dinner

Words of wisdom from the young and the well-seasoned

It was another evening to remember: A veteran newsman sharing his insights after a long and distinguished career; a BC Youth Parliament premier at the start of an exciting adventure in politics; the good company of two former premiers, many former MLAs and friends.

Our guest speaker this year was veteran radio reporter George Garrett who came with many more great tales than there was time to tell. Garrett said: “In my 43 years of covering the news beat for CKNW I have always had respect for those of you who have served the public in elected office … whether it was park board, school board, municipal or city council, the Legislature or Parliament. As you all know it means hard work and sacrifice to serve. I take my hat off to you and your partners in life.

As usual the association was pleased to host members of the BC Youth Parliament including incoming 91st BCYP Premier Ranil Prasad who reminded the gathering that we live “in an age when democracy is falling out of fashion in favour of a strong-man, authoritarian, populist, ‘might makes right’ regimes. Supporting those advocating for the advancement and, most importantly, the expansion of our democracies and our institutions is more valuable than ever before.”

The magic of a Government House banquet

By Rachel Rilkoff

It starts with a special occasion … like the annual banquet of the Association of Former MLAs of BC.

It could also be a celebration of a remarkable British Columbian, an anniversary of a historic event, the visit of an important dignitary. Celebrating, inspiring and connecting the citizens of our fair province is an important role under the mandate of Her Honour, the Honourable Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. And, what better place to host such an event than Government House.

The Estate of the Lieutenant Governor is a National Historic site and within it is Government House, known as the ceremonial home of all British Columbians. During the five-year term of the Honourable Judith Guichon, BC’s 29th Lieutenant Governor, Government House played host to 682 events, with 265 of those open to the public.

The spectacular ballroom, with soaring ceilings hung with crystal chandeliers and windows looking to unimpeded views over Juan de Fuca Strait; the elegant drawing room with cozy settees and a fireplace carved with the Latin word Salve (welcome); and, the substantial dining room with a long table seating up to 40 guests, watched over by the imposing face of Haida artist Bill Reid’s “Grizzly Bear Mantelpiece” carving – all set the stage for a unique setting in which to celebrate. But to fill these rooms with guests of honour requires a many-layered process, delivered by a small yet mighty corps of staff.

Programmes and Events is headed by Heidi Elliott, a veteran of Government House having served four Lieutenant Governors. Some events held at Government House are long-standing traditions, such as the former MLAs dinner, and have a more or less established guest list.

While the modern age has ushered in the occasional use of e-invites, Government House carries on the tradition of an elegant invitation card, embellished with the golden crest of the Lieutenant Governor. The Programmes team coordinates the mailing of invitations, RSVPs, tracking of dietary requirements, and fielding questions.

 Once invitations have been distributed, the Programmes team begins building the foundations, creating a document timed down to the minute – the script by which the event will run. A call goes out to Her Honour’s legion of Honorary Aides-de-Camp, who volunteer to support Her Honour throughout the evening. Entertainment is secured, including a piper to open the event to the dulcet wail of the bagpipe. The traditional moments that make an event at Government House so special – the order of the procession, the Loyal Toast, the playing of God Save the Queen – are all carefully considered.

 When the big night arrives, the Operations team is there to roll things out smoothly. Having taken care of set up – moving tables, chairs, ordering necessary supplies, paying vendors, arranging for parking, coordinating audio/visual, music and lighting – under the direction of Ms. Thandi Williams, Operations are the behind-the-scenes crew helping to play out the script written by Programmes.

Within Operations is the Service team, headed by Gwendoline Gold, another veteran of service to the House. She directs a small army of casual serving staff whose helping hands swoop about the room offering hors d'oeuvres, serve plated dinners, mix drinks behind the bar, clear tables, and run dishwashers. Many of the most beautiful details of an event come courtesy of the Service team. There’s a certain art to setting a table for a formal plated dinner, numerous in steps and consisting of a symphony of task-specific cutlery, drinking vessels and fine china, emblazoned with the ever-present crest of the Lieutenant Governor. From the fragrant flower arrangements to the friendly volunteers checking coats, these are all calling cards of the Service team, providing the best in hospitality.

Down in the kitchen, Executive Chef Aleks Kornat can be found planning and executing menus designed to showcase the best of the province. Winning bottles of the British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards accompany dishes carefully crafted to represent local seasonal fare, inspired by the bounty of BC. Some items are so local they can be harvested steps from the Government House kitchen, plucked from the herb garden, orchard or the vegetable patch lovingly tended by the Friends of Government House.

Finally, guests begin to arrive, entering through the historic porte-cochère (the last remaining remnant of the original Government House) and into the foyer where, in cold months, an epic fire skillfully lit by Terry Singh may be roaring in the fireplace. From there the evening plays out, usually with Her Honour’s Private Secretary, Jerymy Brownridge, as Master of Ceremonies and the Honourable Janet Austin as gracious hostess, welcoming one and all to Government House.

There is magic felt when one walks into the ballroom and sees weeks of careful planning contained in one special evening. Hopefully, this story, with its logistical, administrative and planning detail, pulls back the curtain a little. The end result is always a memorable festivity.

And, with her mandate just beginning, the Honourable Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, looks forward to further celebrating remarkable British Columbians, with many delightful events to come.

Rachel Rilkoff is the Communications and Events Officer at Government House.

You are in the virtual world of the AFMLABC

By Brian Kieran, Editor, OOTD

A growing number of AFMLABC members are crossing the great digital divide to partake in the virtual world of the Internet. With the help and guidance of the Legislature Library staff, the Association and OOTD now have this website to better help you get, and stay, plugged in and engaged.

 We’ve come a long way since Hugh Curtis, bless him, left us to our own devices. Hugh was famous for penning OOTD by candlelight. That meant long nights for Rob Lee who had the job of converting Hugh’s cursive inspirations into printer’s type. Forget the advent of the computer age, to the end, Hugh clung to his conviction that typewriters were a passing fad and that the Internet was the devil’s work.  

Rob and I met recently with the Legislature’s Technical Services Librarian Sheri Ostapovich and Library Systems Analyst Louise Boisvert to better understand the new website and its potential. I swear they will make half decent web administrators of us yet. 

Here’s a major bonus. You no longer need to mail in cheques to pay dues and buy dinner tickets. We have set up a payments page on the site so that association members, OOTD subscribers and annual dinner guests can make payments electronically. Just go to the “Payments” page in the navigation bar and follow the prompts. I bought my dinner tickets using this feature and it was a snap. 

We have a capacity to load current information on the site, so check it regularly for items of interest. We have uploaded three years of past issues of Orders of the Day in the OOTD Archives section.

The site has several sections: News & Events, a Photo Gallery of the 2019, 2018 and 2017 AFMLABC dinners at Government House, About Us including history related to the origins of the Association and information about the Hugh Curtis Memorial Fund. There are also links to learn more about the BC Legislature. 

 Make www.formerbcmla.com a favourite on your bookmarks bar and stay plugged in

Red Chamber tributes flow for Senator Neufeld

Former Peace River North MLA, Senator Richard Neufeld turns 75 in November and will retire from Canada's Red Chamber after nearly four decades of public service. In June, he delivered his farewell remarks.

The Summer issue of Orders of the Day, celebrated his long, distinguished career. If you do not subscribe to OOTD, do so now by emailing Rob Lee at: ootd.afmlabc@gmail.com.

Here are tributes from two of the Senate’s leaders:

Hon. Larry W. Smith (Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, our colleague and friend, the Honourable Richard Neufeld, will be taking his leave of this place on November 6, when the Senate will most likely not be sitting. I’m very glad we have this opportunity today to thank Senator Neufeld for his dedicated service to the people of Canada over the last decade and, indeed, over the past almost four decades, including his time in municipal and provincial politics in British Columbia.

Senator Neufeld passionately defended his province in the Senate of Canada and he will be greatly missed.

Our colleague has previously shared with us the story of his family. He was adopted as an infant from an orphanage by his parents Peter and Jessie, chosen by his older sister simply because he was smiling. From this humble beginning grew a long record of public service, starting with municipal politics in the town of Fort Nelson, where he eventually served as mayor. This was followed by multiple elections to BC’s provincial legislature to represent the riding of Peace River North.

From the start, his political career has been guided by concern for the lives of the average, everyday Canadian. As he says, the Fred and Martha of our country, as he calls them. Their interests and their needs have always been his prime motivation.

Following his appointment to the Senate of Canada in January 2009, upon the recommendation of the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Senator Neufeld has contributed greatly to the work of the Senate, both in the chamber and in committee. In recent months he has been involved in the debate and study of Bill C-48, concerned by the divisive nature of this bill and the negative impact he believes it would have on the region he calls his home.

Although our colleague has been a valued member of several Senate committees over the past 10 years, I’d like to highlight his work as Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources. Senator Neufeld’s long experience as Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources in the Government of British Columbia served the senator well as he guided the committee through its work. During his time as chair, the committee gave careful consideration to many pieces of legislation and undertook studies on such topics as underground infrastructure and the transition to a low-carbon economy.

In his first speech in the Senate chamber back in November 2009, Senator Neufeld related some advice he believed his mother would say in taking on his new role: ‘‘Son, Canada is a great and wonderful country. Be kind, be understanding, be true and, most of all, do the right thing and take advantage of good opportunities.’’

On behalf of all honourable senators, I wish Senator Neufeld nothing but the best.

Hon. Terry M. Mercer (Acting Leader of the Senate Liberals):
Honourable senators, on behalf of the independent Senate Liberals, I would like to join in paying tribute to our colleague Senator Richard Neufeld who will be retiring later this year.

Senator Neufeld is no stranger to politics and no stranger to serving the good people of British Columbia at every level of government. He has been a dedicated public servant for nearly 40 years. He’s been a town councillor and the Mayor of Fort Nelson, BC. He served nearly 20 years in the BC Legislature. His constituents rewarded his hard work with a number of consecutive re-elections.

He served as a provincial opposition critic and, when the tides turned, as they always do, as a provincial cabinet minister.

Now listen, as an aside about an interesting political career of a Canadian, he was elected as a Social Credit MLA in 1991, switched to the Reform Party in March of 1994 and then to the Liberals in October 1997, where he stayed until he left in 2009. You’ve been around the block, Richard.

And over the years, Senator Neufeld has shown the same attention to detail he puts into fixing his vintage cars in poring over budgets and estimates and bills to get to the very heart of the issues facing Canadians.

Senator Neufeld, thank you for your service to British Columbians and to all Canadians. You have worked hard and worked collaboratively with all of us here in the chamber and you will be missed.

On behalf of my caucus colleagues, I wish you and your wonderful wife, Montana — whom I had the pleasure of meeting on a trip that we did together to New Zealand many years ago — all the best in your retirement and good health and happiness always.

(Hansard: Debates of the Senate June 11, 2019)