‘Amazing Grace’ a trailblazer, visionary
McCarthy, who made Vancouver’s Expo 86 possible, left an indelible mark on B.C.
Grace McCarthy’s death Wednesday sparked tributes from around British Columbia.
Premier Christy Clark saw “Amazing Grace” as a trailblazer.
“At a time when female leaders were hard to find in Canadian politics, Grace McCarthy was an agent of change,” Clark said in a statement.
“When she was first elected, women could not even apply for mortgages without a male guarantor — until she worked with the provincial and federal governments to fix it.
“From playing an instrumental role in bringing Expo 86 to Vancouver, to starting the first toll-free help line for children, to becoming Canada’s first female deputy premier, she left an indelible mark on our entire province.
“Equal parts intelligent, warm and tough, she led by example, inspiring more than one generation of women in B.C. and Canada to stand up and pursue a career in politics.”
Jim Pattison worked with McCarthy on Expo 86. “She was a hard worker and she was a visionary,” said Pattison. “There would have been no Expo 86 without Grace McCarthy. It was Grace’s vision to bring a world’s fair to Vancouver, to help in the early ’80s when we had high unemployment rates and things were not that good.
‘“(And) she was the driver who got (then-premier) Bill Bennett to make the decision to have Expo 86.”
Radio legend Red Robinson said McCarthy was a B.C. original. “She loved the province, loved being here,” said Robinson. “It’s like Jimmy Pattison. Why didn’t he move his vast, billion-dollar empire somewhere else? It’s because he loved Vancouver. And Grace felt the same way.
“The lady put lights on the Lions Gate Bridge. She was responsible for driving Expo 86. She got the Trade and Convention Centre (built). And the list goes on.
“This was someone who was dedicated. Even when she was out of politics, she formed the Child Foundation for children with liver disease and intestinal problems. She dedicated herself to it. She was an amazing woman.”
McCarthy held several portfolios in the Social Credit governments of W.A.C. Bennett and his son Bill. Bill’s son Brad said she was close to both.
“She became a great confidante of my grandfather’s and my father’s, as well as a great friend,” said Brad Bennett. “She had an energy and a very infectious, warm smile that I’m sure people who knew her can picture. When she walked into a room, she lit it up. She was a very approachable, nice, grounded person.”
McCarthy could be a fierce politician, but had a nice touch with people, even political opponents. When longtime Downtown Eastside champion Bruce Eriksen was dying from hepatitis several years ago, she phoned him and said how much she appreciated his work for the downtrodden.
“I don’t agree with her politics,” said Eriksen. “But that lady has class.” Red Robinson concurs. “I don’t care what side of the political spectrum you’re on, when you mention the name Grace McCarthy, there’s respect,” he said.