BC NDP Leaders Over the Years

Bob left school at age 14 to become a messenger boy in Scotland, and came to Canada in 1930, repaying his passage by indenturing himself to an Ontario farmer. He later hopped a freight train to BC and worked in a Powell River sawmill before becoming a carpenter and joining the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners. He took correspondence and night school courses to complete his education.

Bob first ran for the CCF in 1949, and was elected in Cowichan Newcastle in 1952. In 1956 he won the CCF leadership in a three-way race, defeating Leo Nimsick and Arthur Turner to become leader.  When the NDP was formed in 1961 Bob was the unanimous choice to lead the new party. He campaigned forcefully for Medicare, more control and a better return from BC natural resources, and low-cost car insurance, but the provincial elections of 1963 and 1966 did not result in NDP victories.  The ‘socialist menace’ scare tactics that had been used against the CCF were just as successful against the NDP.

Bob’s leadership was challenged by Tom Berger in 1967, and in 1969 he stepped down.  He continued as MLA and was appointed Minister of Transportation and Communications in 1972 when Dave Barrett became Premier. Bob oversaw the implementation of the NDP promise on car insurance through the creation of the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. And he introduced legislation to establish automatic license suspensions for drunk driving convictions.

Bob Strachan retired in 1975 and was appointed Agent-General to BC House in London.

Tom’s father came from Sweden.  His mother’s family was Irish.  His family moved frequently to towns in BC, Saskatchewan, and back to BC.  He studied law at UBC, and graduated in 1956. 

Tom was elected the BC NDP’s first Provincial President when the party was founded in 1961. He served a term as MP for Vancouver-Burrard from 1962-63, and was elected MLA for Vancouver-Burrard in the 1966 provincial election.  Tom was a strong advocate for Indigenous and union rights, taking on and winning many legal cases.  In 1969, he won the BC NDP leadership on the second ballot, defeating second-placed candidate Dave Barrett. 

In the provincial election four months after becoming leader, he was labelled a “godless Marxist” by the Social Credit campaign.  Tom declined to respond in kind and was defeated in his own constituency. The NDP lost four seats and Tom did not stand for re-election as leader in 1970. 

Tom was appointed to the BC Supreme Court in 1971, chaired the Royal Commission on Family and Children’s Law in 1973 and was appointed Commission of the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Inquiry in 1974. He was a champion of Indigenous people’s rights throughout his lifetime and received the Order of Canada in 1989, and the Order of British Columbia in 2004.  UBC Professor Michael Jackson writes that “Tom’s most cherished honour, however, was the name bestowed on him in 1997 by the Nisga’a Nation, “Halaydin Xhlamwit”, which means Spirit of the Mountain.” 

Tom Berger is the author of several books on human rights in Canada.

Dave was born in east Vancouver, the son of Jewish parents, whose families originally came from eastern Europe. He graduated from Seattle University with a degree in philosophy, and then from St. Louis University (Missouri) with a degree in social work. He was fired from his job at the Haney Correctional Institute in 1959 because he was the CCF candidate in Dewdney. 

Dave won election as MLA in 1960. A powerful orator, he finished second to Tom Berger in the 1969 leadership race.  But when Berger lost his seat in the Legislature and did not seek re-election, Dave was the unanimous choice for BC NDP leader in 1970.  He immediately set out to inoculate the NDP against Social Credit attacks, distancing himself from unions, establishing an NDP policy to respect religious freedoms, and campaigning only to be the leader of a stronger opposition, rather than heading an NDP government. 

In the 1972 election campaign, Barrett easily outmaneuvered his Social Credit opponents and led the NDP to victory with the highest share of vote ever to that date.  His time in government is well documented in the book “The Art of the Impossible”.  Many of the NDP’s reforms continue to serve British Columbia today (see separate list).  In 1975, believing he could defeat the revamped Social Credit Party, he called a snap election. The NDP vote held firm (declining less than half a percent) but unlike 1972 the opposition was united behind Social Credit in 1975.  The NDP lost the election and Dave was defeated in Coquitlam. 

The party wanted him to continue as leader however, and he was elected in a 1976 by-election in Vancouver East.  In the 1979 provincial election the NDP vote increased significantly and the party very nearly won.  1983 saw a similar result, and Dave decided to step down as leader. 

In 1988 he was elected MP for Esquimalt-Juan-de Fuca, and made an unsuccessful bid for the leadership of the federal NDP in 1989.

Bob grew up in New Westminster and was active in the Young New Democrats. He graduated from UBC and became a teacher on Vancouver Island.

Encouraged by Tommy Douglas, he ran and was elected MLA in Alberni in 1972.  Bob became the NDP environment critic and was closely associated with that issue and the struggle for Indigenous rights. 

When Dave Barrett decided to step down from the NDP leadership in 1984, Bob joined the race. In a six-person field dominated by Bill King, who represented those most closely-associated with Dave Barrett, and David Vickers, representing those most closely associated with Tom Berger, Bob came up the middle, defeating Vickers on the final ballot.

He led a very effective attack on Social Credit austerity policies which ultimately resulted in the resignation of Premier Bennett. Bill Vander Zalm became the new Social Credit leader, Premier, and media darling.  After a shaky start, Bob fought a strong election campaign in 1986, but could not overcome Vander Zalm’s early momentum. The NDP vote dropped slightly and Bob stepped down. 

In 1988 he was one of 19 NDP MPs elected in BC, serving in riding of Comox-Alberni for one term.

Mike was BC’s second NDP Premier.  He grew up on the westside of Vancouver, and graduated from law school at UBC.  Instead of joining an established law firm, Mike founded Canada’s first community law office, the Vancouver Community Legal Assistance Society.

One of his first political successes was working with the Vancouver Chinatown community to stop a proposed freeway through the neighbourhood.  Together with other progressives, such as Darlene Marzari, Mike ran for Vancouver City Council on a reform platform with The Electors’ Action Movement (TEAM) and was elected in 1973. In 1981 he was elected Mayor of Vancouver, and played a key role in ensuring the city was not left with a massive deficit from Expo ’86. 

In 1986 he was elected MLA, and in 1987 Mike was acclaimed by convention delegates as NDP leader.  He presided over six successive byelection victories prior to the NDP’s defeat of Social Credit in the 1991 provincial election.  As Premier, Harcourt implemented major reforms of forest management, set a path to double the number of BC parks and protected areas, established a new treaty process for recognizing First Nations’ land claims, appointed the world’s first Cabinet Minister for Women’s Equality, and ensured safe access to abortion. His government also amended the Human Rights Code to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

In February 1996 Harcourt stepped down as Premier after a scandal involving the Nanaimo Commonwealth Holding Society damaged NDP popularity.  Although Mike was not involved in the scandal and ordered a full forensic audit of the NCHS, he determined a new leader would have a better chance at re-election. 

Since retiring from politics, Mike has been active on sustainable development and housing issues.  He was awarded the Order of Canada in 2012.

Glen grew up in east Vancouver, where he attended St. Jude’s Elementary and Notre Dame Secondary.  He earned a Bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science at SFU, and his master’s degree in Community and Regional Planning from the University of British Columbia.

Active in the NDP while at university, Glen worked as constituency assistant to MP Ian Waddell, and then as an organizer for the Ironworkers’ Union in Vancouver before his election in the dual member constituency of Vancouver East in 1986.  He quickly established a reputation as a forceful critic of the Social Credit government.

In 1991 Premier Harcourt appointed him Minister of Finance (1991-93), and then Minister of Employment and Investment (1993-1996). During this time the provincial deficit was reduced, and BC experienced a period of solid economic growth and high ratings from bond agencies.

When Premier Harcourt stepped down, Glen won the NDP leadership in a five-person race, defeating Corky Evans on the final ballot.  In the ensuing 1996 election Clark established himself as a champion of working people and the middle class, with a series of tax and fee freezes.  His campaign positioning “On Your Side” and an energetic campaign saw the NDP win a come-from-behind victory with 39 seats to 33 for the BC Liberals.  His term as Premier saw continued investment in infrastructure, health and education projects, and the signing of the historic Nisga’a Treaty. However, the Opposition waged an unrelenting attack, with the assistance of some in the media, making a number of charges and launching court cases that proved unfounded.  His signature project of investment in new Fast Ferries for the BC Ferry Corporation also created political difficulty when the ferries failed to meet operating expectations.

In 1999 Premier Clark became embroiled in a controversy around casino licenses and a neighbour’s help building a deck on his eastside home.  With local media tipped to a raid of his residence by the RCMP, it appeared to many to be a politically-motivated conspiracy. Charges of breach of trust were brought, and Clark made the decision to resign as Premier.  In 2002 Justice Elizabeth Bennett ruled he had done nothing illegal.

After leaving politics Glen became President and CEO of the highly successful BC multinational firm, the Jim Pattison Group.  He retired from that position in 2022.

Dan grew up in North Vancouver, and after graduation worked on tugboats, and in various jobs including in a pulp mill in Prince Rupert, where he became a millwright.  In 1972 he became an assistant to Prince Rupert NDP MLA Graham Lea. 

Dan was elected to Prince Rupert City Council three times, before winning election to replace Lea as MLA in 1986.  He served as Minister of Forests and then Minister of Skills, Training and Development in the Mike Harcourt’s cabinets. In 1995, Dan introduced the Royal Roads University Act, which created the university “to provide continuing education in response to the needs of the local community, and to maintain teaching excellence and research activities that support the university’s programs in response to the labour market needs of British Columbians.”

When the NDP was re-elected in 1996, he served as Deputy Premier in the Glen Clark government, and also held cabinet roles as Minister of Municipal Affairs, Minister of Employment and Investment, and Minister of Energy, Mines and Northern Affairs. 

When Glen Clark resigned as Premier, Dan was the unanimous choice to serve as the NDP’s fourth BC Premier and interim NDP leader, from August 1999 until February 2000.  After leaving politics Dan has worked as an advisor to the offshore oil and gas industry, and to the forest industry.  In 2021 he was awarded an Honourary Doctor of Laws degree from Royal Roads University.

Ujjal’s political interests began in India, where his family were strong supporters of the Indian National Congress.  He left for the UK at age 17, and came to BC in 1968, where he earned a degree in law from UBC.  Ujjal specialized in family and injury law and was prominent in community organizations like the Farmworkers’ Legal Information Service. 

He first ran for the NDP in Vancouver South (1979 and 1983). A moderate Sikh, he was twice assaulted (in 1985 and 1989) for speaking out against violence and extremism.  After winning in Vancouver-Kensington, in 1991 Ujjal served two years as Caucus Chair before being appointed Minister of Government Services and Minister responsible for Sports in 1995. 

He was then appointed Attorney-General, a post he held until he became leader, and Premier, in 2000. Ujjal was the first South Asian Premier of any province in the country.  In the 15 months of his government the focus was on balanced budgets, and continued investment in health care and education, including lower post-secondary tuition fees and expanded apprenticeship programs.  He was the first Premier to march in Vancouver’s annual Gay Pride parade. 

In spite of his personal popularity, which exceeded that of his political opponents, the NDP’s loss of overall support resulted in a heavy defeat for the party, with only two MLAs, Joy MacPhail and Jenny Kwan being elected in the 2001 provincial election. Ujjal resigned as leader.  He later ran federally for a different political party.

Joy grew up in Hamilton, ON, studied economics at University of Western Ontario, and graduated from the London School of Economics with a diploma in Labour Studies.  She returned to Canada and got a job working for a union in Sault Ste. Marie, ON, and then came to British Columbia where she became an NDP and union activist. Joy worked on several NDP campaigns in BC and for the BC Government Employees’ Union. 

Elected in the 1991, she served in a variety of Cabinet posts, including as Minister of Social Services from 1993 to 1996, Minister of Health from 1996 to 1998, and Minister of Finance from 1998 to 1999. Following the 2001 election Joy served as interim NDP leader until the election of Carole James in 2003. She earned admiration as a tough critic of the Liberal government in her role as Leader of the Opposition from 2001 to 2005.

Following her retirement from office in 2005, Joy and her film-producer husband purchased and managed OutTV.  She has served on several Boards of Directors, and when the NDP returned to office in 2017 Joy was appointed chair of the Insurance Corporation of BC, and as chair of BC Ferries in 2022.  She received the Order of Canada in 2021.

Carole grew up in North Battleford, SK.  Her political activism began at an earlier age.  In Grade 7 she led a demonstration for the right of girls to wear pants to school. After graduating, Carole  worked in institutions for the developmentally disabled in Saskatchewan and Alberta, before moving to BC. 

She was elected to the Victoria School Board and served seven years as chair between 1990 and 2001.  She also served five years as the high-profile head of the BC School Trustees’ Association where she brought attention to the importance of improving education opportunities for First Nations students. She was also the NDP government’s Director of Child Care Policy from 1999-2001. 

Carole ran in the 2001 provincial election, losing by only 35 votes.  Elected NDP leader in 2003, Carole performed strongly in the 2005 leaders debate and her campaign message that “everyone matters” brought the NDP back to almost 42% of the vote and 33 seats. The 2009 election saw little change however, and she stepped down in 2011.

Carole continued to serve as MLA and in 2017 was appointed Deputy Premier and Finance Minister in the John Horgan government.  In her finance role she oversaw funding of the NDP’s commitment to low-cost child care, an end to Medical Services premiums and lower small business taxes, while increasing the minimum wage. 

She did not seek re-election in 2020 for health reasons. Carole self-identifies as part Métis.  Her husband Al is a former chief of the Ts’il Kaz Koh First Nation in Burns Lake.

Dawn served as constituency assistant to MP Pauline Jewett, and MLA John Cashore, before seeking the federal nomination and winning election in 1988 when Pauline retired.  In 1991 her Private Member’s Bill establishing December 6 as a “day of remembrance and action on violence against women” was passed in the House of Commons to commemorate the 1989 Montreal Massacre. Her proposal for legislation to protect women from stalking was also adopted.

Dawn was elected MLA in 2009, and served briefly as Interim BC NDP leader when Carole James resigned.  She is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Broadbent Institute.

Adrian grew up in Vancouver and attended Point Grey Secondary before studying history and political science at UBC.  He worked in Ottawa as an aide to MP Waddell and as Chief of Staff for Premier Glen Clark.

In 2005 he was elected MLA and was appointed health critic by leader Carole James. In that role he effectively pressed for insulin pumps to be made available to children under the BC health plan.  Adrian was elected BC NDP leader in a four-person race in 2011, but the 2013 election result proved disappointing.

Adrian stepped down as leader and in 2017 was appointed Minister of Health in the government of Premier John Horgan.  He continues in the position with the current NDP government led by Premier David Eby.  As Minister, Adrian has worked to re-establish confidence in BC health care that was lost under the former government.  He has led in expanding training and recruitment programs, established a 10-year cancer care action plan, created a new pay model for BC doctors, and made it easier for internationally-trained health workers to practice in BC. 

His ministry established a system of Urgent Primary Care Centres, expanded services for dealing with addictions and mental health issues, made prescription contraception free, and brought back into the public sector over 4,000 privatized health care workers to provide stable jobs and better care for patients. The government is also building a new Medical School, and has delivered on its promise to eliminate Medical Services Plan payments, saving British Columbians hundreds of dollars per year. 

And Adrian, together with Chief Medical Officer Bonnie Henry, led in the careful and successful management of BC’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

John and his three siblings were raised in Victoria by a single mom (his father passed away when he was just 18 months old).  After high school he worked a various jobs to save money to attend Trent University in Peterborough, ON.  He has his master’s degree in history from the University of Sydney, Australia.  On returning to Canada, he worked in Ottawa as assistant to MPs Jim Manly and Lynn Hunter. 

When the NDP was elected in 1991 John became Ministerial Assistant to David Zirnhelt. Throughout the 1990s he played increasingly prominent roles including as director of the Crown Corporations Secretariat, lead negotiator on the Columbia Basin Trust, and Chief of Staff to Premier Dan Miller. 

In 2005 he was elected MLA for Malahat-Juan de Fuca, and was named education critic. A year later he was appointed critic for energy and mines. In 2011 he sought the provincial leadership, finishing third.  John continued as a forceful opposition critic on the energy file, and the 2013 election John was approached to seek the leadership once again.  He said he preferred a younger candidate, but when none came forward, he agreed to the draft and was elected leader by acclamation in 2014.

In the ensuing 2017 provincial election John campaigned for low-cost child care, the abolition of Medical Service Premiums and getting big (corporate and union) money out of politics.  During the campaign he captured voters’ imagination with a pledge to abolish bridge tolls.   When the results yielded a Legislature where no party had a majority of seats, John negotiated a confidence and supply agreement with the Green Party to allow the NDP to take office.  He was sworn in as Premier on July 18, 2017. 

John Horgan was re-elected with the NDP’s greatest electoral success ever on October 24, 2020 winning 57 seats and 47.7% of the popular vote.  A year later John underwent treatment for throat cancer, and although he anticipated a full recovery, he stepped down as leader and Premier in June 2021. He was appointed Canada’s Ambassador to Germany on November 1, 2023.

David grew up in Kitchener, ON.  One of his first political acts as a child was to take his brother to a protest against the treatment of circus elephants.  David studied English at the University of Waterloo, and graduated with a law degree from Dalhousie University in Halifax in 2004.

Beginning in 2005 he worked at the Pivot Legal Society on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and then in 2008 began a four-year stint as Director of the BC Civil Liberties Society. During this time, he also served as an adjunct law professor at UBC, and as President of the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network. 

In 2013 David defeated the sitting Liberal Premier in Vancouver-Point Grey and was appointed NDP critic for advanced education.  He also served as critic for tourism, housing, gaming and liquor policy. 

When the NDP formed government in 2017 Premier John Horgan appointed David as Attorney-General, and minister responsible for gaming, and the Insurance Corporation of BC.  In that role he famously tackled the “dumpster fire” at ICBC and introduced a new civil resolution system to reduce legal fees and lower insurance premiums.  He also launched an investigation in money-laundering at BC casinos.  As Housing Minister, he pushed for homeless shelters and expedited municipal processes to approve rezoning and home construction.

When John Horgan resigned for health reasons, David Eby sought the BC NDP leadership and was acclaimed in that position.  He became Premier on November 18, 2022.