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

Sajjan aide noted allegations in 2018 email

Sajjan aide noted allegations in 2018 email
Governor-in-council appointments, or GICs, are senior appointments made by the federal cabinet. While Astravas did not include any other details about the nature of the allegation or whom it concerned, the chief of the defence staff is such an appointment.

Sajjan aide noted allegations in 2018 email

PM holds firm on premiers' health-care demands

PM holds firm on premiers' health-care demands
Speaking at a midday press conference, Trudeau said that short-term outlook can't yet give way to longer-term concerns about the effect COVID-19 is having on the Canada's provincially run health-care systems.

PM holds firm on premiers' health-care demands

Two injured after B.C. helicopter crash

Two injured after B.C. helicopter crash
B.C. Emergency Health Services says in a statement that they received a call at about 10 a.m. Friday morning for reports of a downed helicopter on the island off the coast of West Vancouver.

Two injured after B.C. helicopter crash

Dentists, teachers want AstraZeneca shot in B.C.

Dentists, teachers want AstraZeneca shot in B.C.
BC Teachers' Federation president Teri Mooring says her members should be included in the plan expected to be released by the B.C. Immunization Committee by March 18.

Dentists, teachers want AstraZeneca shot in B.C.

What we know about J&J's single COVID-19 shot

What we know about J&J's single COVID-19 shot
The U.S.-based Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for emergency use on Feb. 27.

What we know about J&J's single COVID-19 shot

Van attack trial offers glimpse into virtual court

Van attack trial offers glimpse into virtual court
Ontario's courts issued guidance to those in the justice system when the health crisis began last year, as did several legal organizations.

Van attack trial offers glimpse into virtual court