Barrett’s legacy lives on
Whether we loved him or hated him, there is one thing we should all agree on: Dave Barrett changed this province for the better. It would be hard to overstate his impact on British Columbia.
In less than three and a half years as premier, from 1972 to 1975, Barrett’s New Democratic Party government gave us the Insurance Corp. of B.C., the Agricultural Land Reserve, Pharmacare, Canada’s first guaranteed-income program for seniors, a province-wide ambu- lance service, Hansard and question period, and full-time MLAs. Schools were no longer allowed to use the strap on students.
Under Barrett, the government passed a new bill, on average, every three days.
In Victoria, Barrett’s government paid for the reconstruction and expansion of the causeway and harbour, and launched a restoration program for the Parliament Buildings, which had been allowed to deteriorate over the years.
Hard work was Barrett’s way. He worked hard all his life, launching a career in politics in 1960, when he was just 29. He was 41 when he became the province’s first NDP premier, ending W.A.C. Bennett’s 20-year rule.
While in office, he had to fight battles within his party and without. Through it all, Barrett did not back down.
Barrett died Friday, after dealing with Alzheimer’s for several years. The difference he made to British Columbia will last forever. —Victoria Times Colonist