'Outrageous, flamboyant, always very quotable': Former B.C. premier Dave Barrett dead at 87

Former B.C. premier Dave Barrett,who led the province's first New Democratic Party government, died Friday at the age of 87 in Victoria.

His short-livedgovernmentfrom September1972 to December 1975 carried out reforms ata blistering paceincludingthe creation of the Agricultural Land Reserve, thepublic auto insurance corporation ICBC, a provincial ambulance system and Pharmacare. It also brought in full Hansard transcripts of proceedings in the legislature.

After just three years in government, Barrett called a snap election and the Social Credit party swept back into power.

Government in a hurry

In their recent book,The Art of the Impossible: Dave Barrett and the NDPin Power 1972-1975,authorsRod Mickleburgh and Geoff Meggs, recounted the story of how Barrett asked his ministers at their first cabinet meeting: "Are you here for a good time or a long time?"

"They were hoping to get a second term of course," Mickleburgh said in an interview. "But they said that is not our goal. Our goal is to change British Columbia and do what has to be done.

"The result was the most incredible government in the history of Canada based on how short a time they were in office and what they accomplished," he said.

Lots of gaffes

MIckleburghsaid the 97 accomplishmentslisted in his book includedthe strongest labour code, consumer protections and human rights legislation in North America. Barrett's government also started the Seabusprogram, though it was his Social Credit successor Bill Bennett who completed it..

"An unparallelled record in government," Mickleburgh said, "Plus lots of gaffes. They weren't a perfect government."

First elected to the B.C. legislature in 1960, the former social worker from Vancouver who became known as the champion of the little guy would be elected to the assembly eight times.

David Mitchell, a formerB.C. Liberal MLA andpoliticalanalyst, said Barrett"epitomised the politics of personality, at a time when British Columbia was known for larger than life personalities."

"He was outgoing, funny, outrageous, flamboyant, always very quotable, but behind all of that flamboyance, he always had a very strong policy background.Those initiatives that the firstNDPgovernment in B.C. launched in the1970scontinue to this day all these years later."

Dragged from legislature

As Opposition leader, Barrettearned the distinction of being the first MLA dragged out of the legislative chamber in October 1983 during a convoluted procedural exchangeon a hotly opposed government bill.

After leaving provincial politics, Barrett was elected as NDPmember of parliament for the riding ofEsquimalt-JuandeFucawhichhe servedfrom 1988 to 1993.

Barrett's son Dan saidin a statement his fatherdiedafter a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease.

He said his father cared deeply about the province and that he devoted much of his life trying to make it a better and fairer place to live. His love of the province was surpassed only by his devotion to his family, he added.

Barrettwas living in a Victoria care facility in recent years.

Archives7:241972: Dave Barrett elected Premier of B.C.

Dave Barrett and the NDP finally smash Social Credit's iron grip on B.C.

Legendary sense of humour

B.C. Premier John Horgansaid in a statement the province had lost "a giant" with deep commitment to helping ordinary people,a legendarysense of humour and the ability to command a room with his gift for public speaking.

"We are all better off, thanks to his tireless work and immeasurable contributions to public life," Horgan said.

"He was an inspiration to me and many other British Columbians, and I am grateful for his friendship and guidance over the years. His legacy will live on in our hearts," Horgan said.

With files from The Canadian Press andSusana da Silva.