Memorial for former B.C. premier Dave Barrett draws tributes for underdog champion
VICTORIA — Former British Columbia premier Dave Barrett was hailed as a political trail blazer whose passion, care and charisma captured the heart and soul of the province during a state memorial service Saturday that at times took on the tone of grassroots political gathering more than a grieving ceremony.
Barrett, B.C.’s first elected New Democrat premier, died last month in Victoria after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 87.
Premier John Horgan said he joined the NDP after hearing Barrett speak to a crowd of 30,000 people at an anti-government protest rally in 1983 in Victoria during the height of B.C.’s solidarity protests against restraint programs.
“The meaning of social justice, of compassion, of caring for all British Columbians, not just a select few but everybody, that’s what Dave Barrett was about,” said Horgan. “It was in the morning, in the afternoon and before he went to bed.”