Former British Columbia premier Dave Barrett dies at age 87
VICTORIA — Former British Columbia premier Dave Barrett, the scrappy but always smiling leader of the province’s first New Democrat government, has died in Victoria. He was 87 years old.
Barrett died Friday morning after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease, a statement from Premier John Horgan’s office said.
“He cared deeply about his province and devoted much of his life to trying to make it a better and fairer place to live. His love of the province was surpassed only by his devotion to his family. He will be sorely missed,” said the statement, issued on behalf of Barrett’s family.
First elected to the B.C. legislature in 1960, the former social worker from Vancouver who became known as the champion of the little guy would be elected to the assembly eight times.