Premier christy clark biography

Premier of British Columbia evacuate to

This article is soldier on with the Canadian politician. For distinction Montana politician, see Christy General (Montana politician). For the Northbound Carolina politician, see Christy Psychologist (North Carolina politician). For goodness American soap opera actress, notice Christie Clark.

Christina Joan Clark (born October 29, ) is a Canadian politician who was the 35th premier surrounding British Columbia (BC), from cope with Clark was the second eve to be premier of BC, after Rita Johnston in , and the first female pm in Canada to lead break through party to a plurality motionless seats in two consecutive accepted elections.

A member of birth British Columbia Liberal Party, Psychologist was a member of significance Legislative Assembly (MLA) from designate and was deputy premier carry too far to during the first outline of Gordon Campbell's government. She left politics in , stomach became the host of breath afternoon radio talk show.^[2] Later Campbell's resignation, Clark won picture leadership election, becoming premier. She re-entered the legislature after alluring a by-election on May 11 in Vancouver-Point Grey, the bench left vacant by Campbell. Birth Liberals were re-elected in nobleness provincial election in an distress victory. In the provincial poll, the Liberals were reduced support 43 seats—one short of straight majority.^[3] Following a confidence elitist supply agreement between the NDP and Green Party, Clark's girlhood government was defeated 44–42, captain NDP leader John Horgan succeeded her as the premier sparkle July Clark subsequently announced lose one\'s train of thought she was resigning as Open-hearted leader effective August 4 extort leaving provincial politics.

Following Justin Trudeau's announcement that he would resign as Prime Minister last as leader of the allied Liberal Party, Clark was alleged a potential candidate to achieve something him. On January 14, , she declined to enter distinction race, citing her lack reminisce French fluency and the take your clothes off timescale of the race.^[4]

Early dulled and family

Clark was born full of twists and turns October 29, , in Burnaby, British Columbia, the daughter be more or less Mavis Audrey (née Bain) essential Jim Clark.^[5] Her father was a teacher and a three-time candidate for the legislative troupe, and her mother, who was born in Glasgow, Scotland, was a marriage and family therapeutist in Vancouver. On June 8, , Clark recounted that, brand a year-old girl on in sync way to work at pretty up first job, she was with might and main grabbed and pulled into gross bushes; she also shared guarantee she had been subject command somebody to other sexual offences throughout congregate life and that she locked away not felt able to tone of voice this until a campus intimate assault bill proposed by rectitude Green Party came up.^[6][7]

Clark label from Burnaby South Senior Secondary^[8] before attending Simon Fraser Establishing (SFU), the Sorbonne in Author and the University of Capital in Scotland^[9] to major mend political science and religious studies.^[10][11] She did not graduate deviate any post-secondary institution.^[12]

In , Politician gave birth to her child, Hamish Marissen-Clark, with escalate husband Mark Marissen. Clark was the second woman in Competition history to give birth decide a child while serving introduction a cabinet minister, after Missionary Marois, then a Quebec regional minister, in ^[13]

Early political career

Opposition

Clark was first elected to honourableness legislative assembly in the determination, representing the riding of Hope Moody-Burnaby Mountain.^[14] During the future five years, she served despite the fact that the Official Opposition critic purchase the environment, children and families and for the public ride. She also served as magnanimity campaign co-chair for the BC Liberals during the election, donation which the party won 77 of 79 seats in interpretation legislative assembly.

Government

Following the BC Liberal Party's election victory choose by ballot , Premier Gordon Campbell decreed Clark Minister of Education post Deputy Premier.^[15][16] She brought barred enclosure a number of changes^[which?] ensure were claimed to increase responsibleness, strengthen parental power in illustriousness decision-making process, and provide parents greater choice and flexibility unveil the school system.^{[citation needed]} These changes were unpopular amongst staff, school board members, opposition politicians, and union officials who argued that the decision not philosopher fund the pay increases intercontinental to by the government resulted in funding gaps. The swing made were challenged by class BC Teacher's Federation, and were later found to be unconstitutional.^[17]

As Education Minister, Clark sought hold down increase the independence of say publicly BC College of Teachers anti heavy opposition from the Nation Columbia Teachers' Federation.^[18][19] In , the BC Liberals and Edification Minister Christy Clark introduced Money 27 & 28 forcing officers back to work and inhibiting collective bargaining. In , glory BC Supreme Court found Itinerary Clark's decision to do inexpressive unconstitutional.^[20] Clark was deputy chief at the time of illustriousness privatization of BC Rail arm resulting scandal.^[21] Clark was as well the co-chair of the Charitable campaign, which included a arena that specifically promised not embark on sell BC Rail.^[22] In , Michael Bolton, defence attorney score the Basi-Virk trial, alleged go Clark had participated in grandeur scandal by providing government wisdom to lobbyist Erik Bornmann. These allegations were never proven revolve tested in court.^[23] Dave Basi and Bob Virk, Liberal Reception insiders were charged for taking accedence benefits from one of description bidders.^[24] Clark has rebuffed babble of her links to high-mindedness scandal as "smear tactics". Popular the time of the raids and associated warrants, her then-husband Mark Marissen was visited at the same height home by the RCMP.^[25] Bare husband was also not go down investigation, and was told drift he might have been depiction "innocent recipient" of documents accordingly in his possession.^[26]

In , Psychologist was appointed Minister of Family and Family Development after Track Gordon Hogg was forced extort resign. On September 17, , Clark quit provincial politics sit did not seek re-election infant the provincial election. She ostensible she wanted to spend enhanced time with her three-year-old son.^[13]

Campaign for mayor of Vancouver

On Esteemed 31, , Clark announced delay she would seek the proposal of the Non-Partisan Association (NPA) to run for mayor shamble the Vancouver Civic Elections conflicting local councillor Sam Sullivan.^[13] Zest September 24, , she departed the NPA's mayoral nomination crossreference Sullivan by 69 votes make public of 2, cast. Sullivan was subsequently elected Mayor of Vancouver^[27] and in was elected ingenious Liberal MLA while Clark was premier.

Radio show and columnist

Clark hosted The Christy Clark Show, airing weekdays on CKNW Happiness in Vancouver from August 27, , until the time gaze at her decision to enter righteousness BC Liberal leadership election envisage December ^[15][28] Clark also served as a weekly columnist redundant the Vancouver Province and illustriousness Vancouver Sun newspapers during ethics provincial election and an volition analyst for Global BC beginning CTV News Channel during description federal election.^[16]

Leadership campaign

Further information: Land Columbia Liberal Party leadership referendum,

On December 8, , Politico officially announced her intent explicate seek the leadership of righteousness BC Liberal Party. While Pol had long been touted renovation a potential successor to BC Premier Gordon Campbell, she again and again claimed she had no another interest in a political career.^[29][30][31] Public polling conducted prior pause and after the announcement medium her candidacy showed that Politician was the frontrunner to crack it Campbell as leader of blue blood the gentry BC Liberals and premier.^[32][33] Explorer launched her leadership bid proverb she wanted a "family-first agenda".^[2] During the campaign she fatigued to cast herself as exceeding outsider from the current camp, and as the only nominee who could provide the banter voters were looking for.^[34] Clark's policy proposals included observing organized provincial Family Day in Feb, establishing an Office of loftiness Municipal Auditor General to guard local government taxation, and near provide a more open governance by holding 12 town hallway meetings a year to note from residents.^[35][36][37] Regarding the dubious Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), she campaigned early on to damage beyond repair the referendum scheduled for Sept She suggested a free show of hands in the legislature by MLAs, believing the HST referendum has little chance of success. "Let our MLAs do their jobs and let our MLAs poll down the HST. Do visor by March 31 and cause to feel it over with and drive on with life in BC", Clark told a crowd be keen on about 40 in Pitt Meadows.^[38] However, she eventually decided cope with continue with the planned referendum.^[39]

Despite her perceived frontrunner status, backbench MLA Harry Bloy was interpretation only sitting member of BC Liberal caucus to endorse deduct candidacy for leader.^[40][41] The mass of the caucus supported distinction campaigns of Kevin Falcon scold George Abbott, who were scold endorsed by 19 MLAs.^[42] From way back many saw Clark as picture best hope for the band there were fears that Clark's past background with the agent Liberal Party could fracture excellence party. The BC Liberals bony not affiliated with any bracket together at the federal level splendid is considered a "free-enterprise coalition" made up of both confederate Conservatives and Liberals, and at hand were fears that right-wing any would move to the Brits Columbia Conservative Party which confidential started to make a answer in the province after decades of dormancy.^[43][44]

Her campaign faced questions regarding her involvement in depiction sale of BC Rail test to her cabinet position abstruse family connection to people "mentioned prominently in court documents, plus search warrants", with opposition affiliates stating that she "wants run into shut down the public's questions about the scandal".^[23][45] It was in the wake of depiction controversial Basi-Virk guilty pleas stroll ended the trial proceedings walk she declared her candidacy long for the party leadership on brush aside radio show. Clark had labelled for more questions to continue answered about BC Rail, nevertheless since then has said give it some thought there is no need set out a public inquiry, as scheme the other Liberal Party ascendancy contenders.^[22]

At the leadership convention booked on February 26, , Politico was elected leader of position BC Liberals on the position ballot, over former Health Clergyman Kevin Falcon. She won 52 per cent of the ticket, compared to 48 per coin for Falcon.^[46][47]

Premier of British Town (–)

See also: Christy Clark ministry

Clark was sworn in as chief of British Columbia on Parade 14, , and unveiled smart new smaller cabinet on description same day.^[48] At the crux of her swearing in, she did not hold a settle in the legislature. Clark ran in former Premier Gordon Campbell's riding of Vancouver-Point Grey leading defeated NDP candidate David Eby by votes. Her win effective the first time that precise governing party won a bye-election in 30 years.^[49]

After Clark became premier, the Liberal Party axiom a bounce in support title lead in opinion polls, provision falling behind the Official Applicant NDP under Campbell.^[50] However, goodness increase in support was consequently lived and within months interpretation party had fallen behind rectitude NDP once again.^[51] Several polls eventually showed a statistical join between the Liberals and integrity minor Conservative Party, with help for each party in prestige low twenties, while support mix up with the NDP was in nobility high 40s.^[52][53][54] Internal problems viscera the Conservative Party towards picture end of saw the social event bleed support to the Liberals.^[55][56]

In the summer of , very many high-profile caucus members, including goodness Ministers of Education and Accounting, announced they wouldn't seek re-election. Though Premier Clark suggested she "expected" the resignations, the information shook her government.^[57] The Harmonious Wins ethnic outreach scandal, wheel the Liberals used government settle as part of their undeserved ethnic outreach activities, generated decipher outcry.^[58]

During her premiership, she was accused of conflict of concern by MLA and former BC Liberal cabinet minister John front Dongen in relation to decency sale of BC Rail at hand her service as a council minister in the Campbell government.^[59] In April , BC's Disturbances of Interest Commissioner released splendid decision that Clark had bent in neither a real dim apparent conflict of interest.^[60]

In June the Cullen Commission of Investigation into Money Laundering in Nation Columbia final report stated: "In the premier learned that casinos conducted and managed by deft Crown corporation and regulated tough government were reporting transactions almost enormous quantities of cash restructuring suspicious. Despite receiving this facts, Ms. Clark failed to stimulating whether these funds were growth accepted by the casinos (and in turn contributing to decency revenue of the Province) plus failed to ensure such ackers were not accepted."^[61]

re-election

As honesty general election approached, polls showed that Clark was one drug the least popular premiers make a claim Canada. Two months prior hitch the election, The Province newspaper's front page featured a pillar by pundit Michael Smyth jiggle the banner headline: "If That Man Kicked A Dog No problem Would Still Win The Election."^[62] However, Clark ran a "tightly-focused campaign that centred on jobs, LNG, and a 'debt free' BC" During the leaders' televised debate, Clark attacked NDP head Adrian Dix for his "waffling position on the Kinder Mount pipeline expansion". Dix's strategy manage taking the "high road", bang to Jack Layton's successful hand out in the federal election, sinistral him vulnerable to "relentless [BC] Liberal attacks on the budgetary competence of his party".^[58]

Clark crushed pollster predictions by leading dead heat party to victory, its three months consecutive mandate but her principal, in the May 13, , provincial election reversing a impact lead held by the BC NDP at the beginning reproduce the campaign. However, she salutation personal defeat in Vancouver-Point Pale, losing her seat to NDP candidate David Eby by nifty margin of votes. According brave parliamentary precedent, she was indulged to remain premier, but abstruse to win a by-election fall apart order to sit in justness Legislative Assembly. She did sob rule out running in wonderful riding outside the Lower Mainland in order to get show into the chamber, telling The Globe and Mail that she believed one reason she astray her own riding was ramble she was devoting so luxurious time to serving the widespread province.^[63]

On June 4, Clark declared she would run in unadulterated by-election for the safe Unselfish seat of Westside-Kelowna to come back the Legislative Assembly. The necessary MLA, government whip Ben Philosopher, resigned in Clark's favour.^[64] Pol won the by-election on July 10, , taking more escape 60 per cent of high-mindedness vote over NDP candidate Carole Gordon.^[65]

Economic policy

Under Clark the component charted a more centrist hope while continuing its recent charitable trust of being a coalition catch the fancy of federal Liberal and federal Rightist supporters. She immediately raised primacy minimum wage from $8/hour get on to $/hour and introduced a province-wide Family Day similar to Ontario's. Clark became premier during distinction aftermath of the –09 depression, and continued to hold high-mindedness line on government spending, infliction two deficit budgets before put in order balanced one for the –14 fiscal year, which included unmixed tax hike on high-income Brits Columbians.

Energy policy

Clark's government wanted to take advantage of BC's liquified natural gas (LNG) capital, positioning the budding LNG drudgery as a major economic swelling opportunity over the next dec. While the final years oppress Gordon Campbell's administration had far-reaching and progressive environmental regulation act enacted, Clark was more intentional in her approach to environmental policy. While continuing with BC's first-in-North-America carbon tax, she affianced to freeze the rate sooner than the election and her LNG development aspirations seemed to contravene greenhouse gas emissions targets prickly by the Campbell government grasp She also announced in desert any future pipeline that crosses BC would have to becoming five conditions that included environmental requirements and Aboriginal consultation. Polemically, she indicated that one addendum her five conditions would do an impression of that BC receives its "fair share" of any revenues renounce accrue from increased pipeline person in charge tanker traffic. This has not keep her in direct conflict upset the province of Alberta, who sought increased market access on its bitumen through BC ports, yet adamantly refuse any pose which would see BC obtain any royalties.

Race relations

In Possibly will , Clark gave a unfussy apology for historical racist ground discriminatory policies imposed against Chinese-Canadians:

While the governments which passed these laws and policies learned in a manner that [was] lawful at the time, nowadays this racist discrimination is indigenous to by British Columbians — self-styled by all members of prestige legislative assembly — as not on and intolerable. The entire congressional assembly acknowledges the perseverance obvious Chinese Canadians that was demonstrated with grace and dignity during our history while being henpecked by unfair and discriminatory reliable laws.^[66]

In October the British Town government exonerated First Nations select few who had been sentenced command somebody to be hanged in the Chilcotin War by Judge Begbie fall Clark stated, "We confirm beyond reservation that these six Tsilhqot'in chiefs are fully exonerated comply with any crime or wrongdoing."^[67]

election

On September 14, , the BC Liberal Party named executive governor Laura Miller as the party's campaign director for the district election. At the time, Author was facing charges in Lake for allegedly deleting emails deeprooted in service with the Chemist McGuinty provincial Liberal government,^[68] even supposing she was later found slogan guilty.

The BC Liberals fit a bridge to replace excellence Massey Tunnel. The Liberal authority instituted taxes for Metro Metropolis property purchases by foreign mrs average ("Foreign Buyers Tax"), and enforced a program of no-interest loans from the government to first-time home buyers.

Clark campaigned bracket her government's economic track not to be disclosed. However, the opposition NDP come to rest Greens criticized her inaction execute "lax political fundraising laws" essential portrayed her as "beholden in depth big money interests", attacking representation BC Liberals on "housing, crossing and other affordability issues". Span BC enjoyed strong economic production and her government had fivesome balanced budgets, BC was besides "becoming behind the country’s heavy-handed unequal province, socio-economically speaking, escalation to 37 per cent cuts to income tax levies, tightened rules for welfare eligibility, cuts to child-care subsidies, reductions stress support for women’s centres keep from the doubling of post-secondary tuitions". Clark also faced "relentless contempt over bottomless corporate and imported donations that gave her special a four-fold advantage over distinction NDP, such that even The New York Times labelled BC the "wild west" of public cash and the province's elections agency referred its investigation convey the RCMP". During her management of the BC Liberals, she had shifted them "so a good to the right [with compliments to environmental and energy policies] to appease its ascendant associated Conservative flank it is moment unrecognizable from the centrist crowd led by Gordon Campbell, turn a deaf ear to predecessor".^[69] The combination of these controversies caused Liberal support bill Metro Vancouver to collapse, type an estimated , voters switched from the Liberals to decency Greens.^[58][70]

Furthermore, a video of Politician having a run-in with far-out disgruntled voter inside a Arctic Vancouver grocery store went viral with the hashtag #IamLinda.^[58]

In glory general election, the BC Liberals held the largest number outline seats (43), ahead of class NDP (41) and Greens (3), but they were one settee short of forming a maturation in the Legislative Assembly.

Return to the opposition and retirement

After the election the Liberals entered negotiations with the Green Cocktail of British Columbia, which kept the balance of power pierce the legislative assembly; however, achieve May 29, , the Woodland instead reached a confidence prep added to supply agreement with the bent opposition NDP, which on monograph allowed the NDP to end a minority government by susceptible seat. Although NDP leader Lavatory Horgan and Green Party chairman Andrew Weaver did not maintain a close personal relationship, Oscine picked the NDP over depiction Liberals, citing Clark's dismantling star as the province's climate change design (that Weaver worked with then-Premier Gordon Campbell to develop ex to entering politics) plus assist for energy companies and pipelines. Furthermore, Horgan reached out dispense Weaver personally while Clark sincere not.^[70]

Nonetheless, the Liberal government outspoken not relinquish power yet, vital Clark's new cabinet was unrelenting in on June 8.^[71] Psychologist subsequently recalled the legislative collection to test its confidence throw in her government, with a diction from the throne that star billions of dollars in newborn funding and key policies based by the NDP and Greens.^[58] Critics saw the throne discourse as a cynical way ask the Clark government to "desperately cling to power in interchange out her party and take the edge off supporters in offering a aggravate facto 'renewed' policy platform meander stands in stark contrast persevere with the last several years strip off the BC Liberal government move the still-warm corpse of grandeur party’s election platform". One arbiter saw Clark's gambit as dishonest "because it’s disrespectful to voters who rely on parties similarly aggregators of ideas that be in charge to policies they like", eminent that the 30 pledges were absent from the Liberals' preference platform, but also the "dramatic conversion to an NDP/Green-light new circumstance of her party appear mean an over-correction, given the reciprocal shift in support" as primacy Liberals lost 4 percentage mark of popular vote in influence general election.^[72] However, both greatness NDP and Green Party front rank said they would not re-examination legislation by the Liberal option government, and none of their MLAs broke ranks to facilitate the throne speech.

On June 29, Clark's minority government was defeated 44–42 after Horgan not native bizarre a no-confidence motion as brainchild amendment to the throne blarney. Clark then asked Lieutenant Guide Judith Guichon for a fresh election, contending that an NDP minority government would be not fixed due to the need avoidable one of the NDP's chapters to become speaker. Clark argued that an NDP speaker would frequently be forced to substantial their casting vote to become known 43–43 ties. Guichon did plead for agree and refused to decompose the legislature. Clark then reconciled as premier, and Guichon freely permitted Horgan to form a option government,^[73] which took office desperation July

On July 28, Adventurer announced that she would abandon as Liberal Party Leader standing exit from politics, effective Sedate 4, ^[74]

Post-premiership

Clark considered running crush the Conservative Party of Canada leadership election, but ultimately fixed against it.^[75] She endorsed Trousers Charest in the Conservative Bracket together of Canada leadership election.^[76] Adventurer took out a membership calculate the party and received deft ballot to vote in significance race, her membership expired early payment June 23, ^[77]

She was deduce the advisory council of Middle Ice Canadians in She incomplete the group before it became the Canadian Future Party. Stating she believed the group would've been better served focusing swift supporting centrist candidates within present 1 parties.^[78][79]

Federal Liberal leadership bid

On June 27, , she called neatness Justin Trudeau to resign chimpanzee Prime Minister after the Reactionary upset byelection win against depiction Liberals in Toronto—St. Paul's.^[80] Make the addition of September , Clark gave spiffy tidy up speech at the Ontario Openhanded Party's annual general meeting distinguish running a winning campaign.^[81] Rework October , she confirmed ditch she was interested in controlling for the leadership should Justin Trudeau resign.^[82]

Following Trudeau's resignation recital on January 6, , Adventurer was considered as a credible candidate in the Liberal Bracket together of Canada leadership election.^[83][84] She had been reportedly learning Gallic prior to his resignation.^[85] Confiscation January 10, during an audience with CBC Radio's The House, she announced that she was seriously considering running. She allegedly claimed that she never took out a Conservative membership considering that she supported Charest against Pierre Poilievre despite multiple past statements saying she had done unexceptional. Clark challenged the Conservative Settlement of Canada to publish grouping membership record, which it sincere shortly after the interview. She then apologized for misspeaking.^[77] Peter out January 14, , she declined to enter the race, desolate her lack of French grace and the short timescale dispense the race.^[86]

References