Clark, Glen David

▪ 1997

      When British Columbia Premier Glen Clark and his socialist New Democratic Party (NDP) were returned to power with a majority government in the general election held on May 28, 1996, the victory was viewed as running counter to a recent Canadian political trend toward conservatism. Clark had been elected leader of the provincial NDP on Feb. 18, 1996, to replace Premier Mike Harcourt, who had resigned over a scandal involving the party's use of charitable funds for political purposes. When Clark assumed office as the 31st premier of British Columbia on Feb. 22, 1996, he broke with tradition by having the swearing-in ceremony in his home riding (electoral district) rather than at the legislature in Victoria.

      Born on Nov. 22, 1957, in Nanaimo, B.C., Clark grew up in a working-class neighbourhood in Vancouver. He received a B.A. in history and political science from Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., and an M.A. (1985) in community and regional planning from the University of British Columbia. His thesis examined the role played by provincial government policy in the crises in British Columbia's forest industry. Clark had joined the Ironworkers' Union during a summer when he worked at a steel fabrication plant. After graduation he became a union organizer, a post that served as a training ground for politics.

      Clark worked as an assistant to Canadian parliamentarian Ian Waddell before he was elected (1986) to the British Columbia legislature from the riding of Vancouver-Kingsway. There he made a name for himself as a harsh critic of the government. When the NDP came to power in November 1991, Clark was appointed government house leader and minister of finance and corporate relations. He delivered two budgets that raised taxes and the provincial debt to record levels, and in 1993 he proposed a tax on houses worth more than $500,000. Following a public outcry, Clark was moved to the Ministry of Employment and Investment. This experience taught him the necessity of discussing policies before announcing them.

      As premier, Clark proposed that the government invest in education and training, resource development, and megaprojects, areas that would create jobs and secure the economic future of the fast-growing province. Thus, Clark believed it was foolish to cut funding for health care, education, and the environment at a time when demand for these services was growing. Clark, who described himself as a "B.C.-firster," was prepared to make the federal government more aware of British Columbia's importance to the country.

      (DIANE LOIS WAY)

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