Close X
Saturday, November 23, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. politician Ian Waddell dies at 78

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 Mar, 2021 04:46 PM
  • B.C. politician Ian Waddell dies at 78

Federal and provincial leaders are among those offering condolences at the passing of long-serving British Columbia politician Ian Waddell.

The former lawyer, New Democrat member of Parliament and member of the B.C. legislature died Monday at his Vancouver home at the age of 78.

B.C. Premier John Horgan says in a social media post that Waddell approached everything with a "passion and desire to make progress for people," while federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says Waddell was a champion of social justice who always lifted up those around him.

p>Waddell earned law degrees from the University of Toronto and London School of Economics and worked as a prosecutor, defence lawyer and council to the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Inquiry before making a successful jump to federal politics.

Waddell served 14 years as an New Democrat MP, representing the ridings of Vancouver-Kingsway and Port Moody-Coquitlam, before turning to provincial politics from 1996 to 2001.

After losing provincially in 2001 and suffering defeat in an attempted federal comeback in 2004, Waddell worked as a documentary film producer.

Social media posts show him working out, skiing and golfing with friends in the weeks before his death.

He maintained an interest in politics with recent Twitter posts remarking on passage of the United States' COVID relief plan and the 2020 presidential election.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was also on the receiving end of Waddell's online advice in a message dated Jan. 25.

"My choice for new Governor General is Judge Murray Sinclair. Are you listening Justin," he tweeted.

In his last message, one day before he died, Waddell posted a photo from the balcony of his Vancouver home, with Stanley Park and the Coast Mountains in the distance.

His final sentence: "Paradise."

MORE National ARTICLES

Doctors fatigued by slow vaccine rollout: CMA

Doctors fatigued by slow vaccine rollout: CMA
The CMA survey, conducted on 1,648 practising physicians who responded between Feb. 18 and 22, found 69 per cent felt an increase in fatigue over the last year, with 65 per cent experiencing anxiety around the pandemic.

Doctors fatigued by slow vaccine rollout: CMA

Man who rammed Rideau Hall gate gets six years

Man who rammed Rideau Hall gate gets six years
He will also be prohibited from possessing any firearms, ammunition or explosive substances for life. Hurren had initially faced 21 weapons charges and one of threatening the prime minister.

Man who rammed Rideau Hall gate gets six years

Cabinet minister grilled over quarantine hotels

Cabinet minister grilled over quarantine hotels
Blair told the committee that quarantine measures have been effective and that any allegations should be thoroughly investigated.

Cabinet minister grilled over quarantine hotels

Panorama Ridge Secondary School in Surrey put on “Hold and Secure” yesterday

Panorama Ridge Secondary School in Surrey put on “Hold and Secure” yesterday
Two teenagers had an alleged dispute in a nearby alleyway. No weapon was found but police are still investigating.

Panorama Ridge Secondary School in Surrey put on “Hold and Secure” yesterday

PMO knew of Vance allegations in 2018: Trudeau

PMO knew of Vance allegations in 2018: Trudeau
The prime minister made the comments this afternoon in the House of Commons, confirming that then-military ombudsman Gary Walbourne spoke to Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan about an allegation against Vance in March 2018.

PMO knew of Vance allegations in 2018: Trudeau

Care home outbreaks reminder of vaccination limits

Care home outbreaks reminder of vaccination limits
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has said vaccines are effective at preventing severe illness and death, but they don't necessarily stop all transmission, so masks and physical distancing remain important.

Care home outbreaks reminder of vaccination limits