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Vander Zalm ministry

The Vander Zalm ministry was the combined Cabinet (formally the Executive Council of British Columbia) that governed British Columbia from August 6, 1986, to April 2, 1991. It was led by Bill Vander Zalm, the 28th premier of British Columbia, and consisted of members of the Social Credit Party.

Vander Zalm ministry

28th ministry of British Columbia
Date formedAugust 6, 1986 (1986-08-06)
Date dissolvedApril 2, 1991 (1991-04-02)
People and organisations
MonarchElizabeth II
Lieutenant Governor
PremierBill Vander Zalm
Deputy Premier
Member partySocial Credit
Status in legislatureMajority
Opposition partyNew Democratic Party
Opposition leader
History
Election1986
Legislature terms
PredecessorBill Bennett ministry
SuccessorJohnston ministry

The Vander Zalm ministry was established part-way through the 33rd Parliament of British Columbia, after Premier Bill Bennett stepped down and Vander Zalm was elected as his successor. Following the 1986 election, it continued to govern through the 34th Parliament of British Columbia, until Vander Zalm stepped down in 1991.[1] It was succeeded by the Johnston ministry.[2]

List of ministers

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Vander Zalm ministry by portfolio
Portfolio Minister Tenure
Start End
Premier of British Columbia Bill Vander Zalm August 6, 1986 April 2, 1991
Deputy Premier of British Columbia Vacant August 6, 1986 August 14, 1986
Grace McCarthy August 14, 1986 November 6, 1986
Vacant November 6, 1986 August 10, 1990
Rita Johnston August 10, 1990 April 2, 1991
Minister of Advanced Education, Training and Technology[a] Russell Fraser August 6, 1986 November 6, 1986
Stan Hagen November 6, 1986 July 29, 1987
Brian Smith (acting) July 29, 1987 August 6, 1987
Stan Hagen August 6, 1987 November 1, 1989
Bruce Strachan November 1, 1989 April 2, 1991
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries[b] Jim Hewitt August 7, 1986 November 6, 1986
John Savage November 6, 1986 December 13, 1990
Harry de Jong December 13, 1990 April 2, 1991
Attorney General Brian Smith August 6, 1986 June 29, 1988
Elwood Veitch (acting) June 29, 1988 August 6, 1988
Bud Smith August 6, 1988 July 13, 1990
Russell Fraser July 13, 1990 April 2, 1991
Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs Elwood Veitch August 6, 1986 November 6, 1986
Minister of Crown Lands[c] Howard Dirks July 6, 1988 November 1, 1989
Dave Parker November 1, 1989 April 2, 1991
Minister of Economic Development Grace McCarthy August 14, 1986 July 5, 1988
Minister of Education Jim Hewitt August 6, 1986 August 14, 1986
Anthony Brummet August 14, 1986 December 13, 1990
Stan Hagen December 13, 1990 April 2, 1991
Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Anthony Brummet August 6, 1986 August 14, 1986
Jack Davis August 14, 1986 March 28, 1991
Minister of Environment[d] Austin Pelton August 6, 1986 November 6, 1986
Stephen Rogers November 6, 1986 March 3, 1987
Bruce Strachan March 3, 1987 November 1, 1989
John Reynolds November 1, 1989 December 13, 1990
Cliff Serwa December 13, 1990 April 2, 1991
Minister of Finance and Corporate Relations[e] Hugh Curtis August 6, 1986 August 14, 1986
Bill Vander Zalm August 14, 1986 November 6, 1986
Mel Couvelier November 6, 1986 March 7, 1991
Elwood Veitch March 7, 1991 April 2, 1991
Minister of Forests[f] Jack Heinrich August 6, 1986 August 11, 1986
Jack Kempf August 14, 1986 March 6, 1987
John Savage (acting) March 6, 1987 March 31, 1987
Dave Parker March 31, 1987 November 1, 1989
Claude Richmond November 1, 1989 April 2, 1991
Minister of Government Management Services[g] Grace McCarthy August 6, 1986 August 14, 1986
Hugh Curtis August 14, 1986 November 6, 1986
Elwood Veitch November 6, 1986 July 6, 1988
Cliff Michael July 6, 1988 November 1, 1989
Carol Gran November 1, 1989 April 2, 1991
Minister of Health Jim Nielsen August 6, 1986 November 6, 1986
Peter Dueck November 6, 1986 November 1, 1989
John Jansen November 1, 1989 April 2, 1991
Minister of Human Resources Jim Nielsen August 6, 1986 August 14, 1986
Minister of Industry and Small Business Development Robert McClelland August 6, 1986 August 13, 1986
Minister of Intergovernmental Relations Garde Gardom August 6, 1986 November 6, 1986
Bruce Strachan November 6, 1986 March 3, 1987
Stephen Rogers March 3, 1987 November 13, 1987
Minister of International Business and Immigration John Jansen July 6, 1988 November 1, 1989
Elwood Veitch November 1, 1989 April 2, 1991
Minister of International Trade, Science and Investment Pat McGeer August 6, 1986 November 6, 1986
Minister of Labour and Consumer Services[h] Terry Segarty August 6, 1986 November 6, 1986
Lyall Hanson November 6, 1986 November 1, 1989
Norman Jacobsen November 1, 1989 December 13, 1990
James Rabbitt December 13, 1990 April 2, 1991
Minister of Lands, Parks and Housing Jack Kempf August 6, 1986 August 14, 1986
Minister of Municipal Affairs, Recreation and Culture[i] Jack Heinrich August 7, 1986 August 11, 1986
Rita Johnston August 14, 1986 November 1, 1989
Lyall Hanson November 1, 1989 April 2, 1991
Minister of Native Affairs[j] Jack Weisgerber July 6, 1988 April 2, 1991
Minister of Parks[k] Terry Huberts July 6, 1988 November 1, 1989
Ivan Messmer November 1, 1989 December 13, 1990
John Savage December 13, 1990 April 2, 1991
Provincial Secretary[l] Grace McCarthy August 6, 1986 August 14, 1986
Hugh Curtis August 14, 1986 November 6, 1986
Elwood Veitch November 6, 1986 July 6, 1988
Bill Reid July 6, 1988 September 22, 1989
Claude Richmond September 22, 1989 November 1, 1989
Howard Dirks November 1, 1989 April 2, 1991
Minister of Regional and Economic Development[m] Elwood Veitch July 6, 1988 November 1, 1989
Stan Hagen November 1, 1989 December 13, 1990
Bud Smith December 13, 1990 April 2, 1991
Minister responsible for Science and Technology Stan Hagen July 6, 1988 November 1, 1989
Minister responsible for Seniors Peter Dueck July 6, 1988 November 1, 1989
John Jansen November 1, 1989 April 2, 1991
Minister of Social Services and Housing Claude Richmond August 14, 1986 November 1, 1989
Peter Dueck November 1, 1989 June 4, 1990
Norman Jacobsen June 4, 1990 April 2, 1991
Solicitor General Angus Ree July 6, 1988 November 1, 1989
Russell Fraser November 1, 1989 December 13, 1990
Ivan Messmer December 13, 1990 April 2, 1991
Minister of Tourism[n] Claude Richmond August 6, 1986 August 14, 1986
Bill Reid August 14, 1986 September 22, 1989
Claude Richmond September 22, 1989 November 1, 1989
Cliff Michael November 1, 1989 April 2, 1991
Minister of Transportation and Highways Alex Fraser August 6, 1986 November 6, 1986
Cliff Michael November 6, 1986 November 13, 1987
Stephen Rogers November 13, 1987 July 6, 1988
Neil Vant July 6, 1988 November 1, 1989
Rita Johnston November 1, 1989 April 2, 1991
Minister responsible for Women's Programs Carol Gran November 1, 1989 April 2, 1991

Ministers of state

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Ministers of state in the Vander Zalm ministry
Portfolio Minister Tenure
Start End
Minister of State, Cariboo Bruce Strachan October 22, 1987 November 1, 1989
Minister of State, Kootenay Rita Johnston October 22, 1987 July 6, 1988
Minister of State, Mainland/Southwest Elwood Veitch October 22, 1987 November 1, 1989
Minister of State, Nechako Stephen Rogers October 22, 1987 July 6, 1988
Minister of State, Nechako and Northeast Jack Weisgerber July 6, 1988 November 1, 1989
Minister of State, North Coast Dave Parker October 22, 1987 July 6, 1988
Minister of State, Northeast Anthony Brummet February 1988 July 6, 1988
Minister of State, Okanagan Claude Richmond October 22, 1987 July 6, 1988
Minister of State, Peace River Anthony Brummet October 22, 1987 February 1988
Minister of State, Thompson–Okanagan and Kootenays Howard Dirks July 6, 1988 November 1, 1989
Minister of State, Vancouver Island/Coast Stan Hagen October 22, 1987 July 6, 1988
Minister of State, Vancouver Island/Coast and North Coast Terry Huberts July 6, 1988 November 1, 1989

Cabinet composition and shuffles

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Vander Zalm was sworn into office on August 6, 1986, inheriting Bennett's cabinet; he said he would assemble a new cabinet to be sworn in the next week.[3] During this time, two cabinet ministers resigned their posts: Jack Heinrich and Robert McClelland.[4]

On August 14, Vander Zalm unveiled his new cabinet. Only three ministers were named to replace the four departed ones, with the Ministry of Lands, Parks and Housing dissolved and its responsibilities split to accommodate the reduced cabinet size. Vander Zalm said his reduced cabinet should be taken "as a clear sign of less government … I expect that over a period of time, a reduction in the size of government will continue where appropriate." The three ministers joining cabinet were Jack Davis as minister of energy, mines and petroleum resources; Rita Johnston as minister of municipal affairs; and Bill Reid as minister of tourism. Notably, the three were also the only Socred MLAs to support Vander Zalm's leadership bid from the beginning. Grace McCarthy, third-place finisher in the 1986 party leadership election, moved from provincial secretary to economic development, and was additionally made deputy premier; Claude Richmond moved to social services and housing; Jack Kempf took over forests and lands; Anthony Brummet was named to education; and Jim Hewitt was appointed to agriculture and fisheries. Vander Zalm himself took the finance portfolio, to provide a "hands on" approach to financial and economic development, but added that he only intended to hold the role "as long as it takes." Meanwhile, Brian Smith (runner-up in the 1986 leadership election), Pat McGeer, Russ Fraser, Alex Fraser, Garde Gardom, Terry Segarty and Elwood Veitch all retained their existing portfolios.[4]

Following the government's re-election in the 1986 election, Vander Zalm initiated a major shuffle on November 6. Two more ministries — the Ministry of International Trade, Science and Investment; and the Ministry of Consumer and Corporate affairs — were dissolved, with their responsibilities being incorporated into other ministries; almost every ministry's responsibilities were reorganized to accommodate this. Seven new members were added to cabinet, including five who were newly elected: Mel Couvelier, John Savage, Peter Dueck, Stan Hagen and Lyall Hanson. Vander Zalm said that the number of newly elected ministers would be an advantage, as they would bring an "open-minded approach" to their ministries and to cabinet. Couvelier was appointed minister of finance. McCarthy lost her title of deputy premier, which was eliminated, but gained responsibility for international trade. Notably absent were Bud Smith, Kim Campbell and John Reynolds, all unsuccessful leadership candidates; however, Stephen Rogers, another leadership candidate, joined cabinet as minister of environment and parks. The new cabinet consisted of 17 ministers.[5]

Throughout 1987, the Vander Zalm ministry saw several ministers resign due to allegations of conflicts-of-interest. On March 3, Rogers offered his resignation as environment minister; Vander Zalm accepted his resignation, but moved him to a new portfolio instead of dropping him from cabinet. Rogers was named to intergovernmental affairs, replacing Bruce Strachan, who in turn took over Rogers' old portfolio.[6] Days later, on March 7, Kempf resigned as forests minister as Vander Zalm announced an internal investigation into "financial irregularities" in the ministry;[7] Savage took over as acting minister until March 31, when Dave Parker was named the new minister.[8] On July 24, Stan Hagen announced his resignation as minister of advanced education in response to a conflict-of-interest investigation; Brian Smith took over on an interim basis.[9] Hagen was reinstated as minister on August 6, after the report found he was violated guidelines but not the B.C. Constitution Act.[10] On November 13, Cliff Michael resigned as transport minister after admitting to a "perceived conflict of interest"; he was replaced by Rogers.[11]

In September 1987, Vander Zalm announced a plan to decentralize provincial government with the creation of eight regional districts to administer various government services. Vander Zalm also said that each region would be represented by a "minister of state" in the cabinet, who would have responsibility for co-ordinating economic development and government services in said region.[12]

In mid-1988, the ministry was rocked by two high-profile resignations. On June 28, attorney general Brian Smith resigned from cabinet. Smith said his resignation was because Vander Zalm did not adequately respect the independence of his office, citing two instances of meddling, and that Vander Zalm was planning to split the ministry into two. Elwood Veitch became acting attorney general.[13] One week later, on July 6, Grace McCarthy resigned from cabinet, also in protest of Vander Zalm's leadership and the interference of "arrogant" civil servants in the premier's office.[14]

Amidst the two resignations, Vander Zalm announced a major shuffle and restructuring of his government on July 6. Three new ministries were created: the Ministry of Regional Development, the Ministry of International Business and Immigration, and Solicitor General. Regional development and international business split the responsibilities of the eliminated Economic Development portfolio, while solicitor general assumed the responsibility for policing and corrections from the attorney general's office. Eight backbenchers were promoted to cabinet: Howard Dirks (crown lands), Terry Huberts (parks), John Jansen (international business), Cliff Michael (government management services, returning to cabinet), Angus Ree (solcitor general), Bud Smith (attorney general), Neil Vant (transportation) and Jack Weisgerber (native affairs); one minister, Stephen Rogers, was dropped from cabinet. Ultimately, the ministry expanded to 22 members.[15] It was, to that point, the largest cabinet in BC history.[16]

On September 21, 1989, Bill Reid resigned from cabinet after allegations of embezzlement; he was replaced as tourism minister by Claude Richmond.[17]

On November 1, 1989, Vander Zalm announced another major shuffle that he called a "cabinet for the '90s". Three ministers — Huberts, Ree and Vant — were dropped, and five were added: Carol Gran (government management services and women's programs), Russ Fraser (solicitor general, returning to cabinet), Norm Jacobsen (labour and consumer services), Ivan Messmer (parks) and John Reynolds (environment). Of the 17 ministers who remained in cabinet, eleven changed responsibilities while six stayed put: Brummet (education), Couvelier (finance), Davis (energy), Savage (agriculture), Smith (attorney general) and Weisgerber (native affairs). Notably, Vander Zalm scrapped all the ministers of state titles, citing concerns about cabinet ministers being involved in regional matters; instead, Hagen took lead on the regionalization program as minister of regional development. After the shuffle, the cabinet stood at 22 ministers.[18]

The ministry faced two more resignations through 1990. On May 30, Dueck resigned from cabinet amidst a growing expenses scandal in his ministry; Jacobsen temporarily took over as social services minister.[19] On July 12, Bud Smith stepped down from cabinet, under fire for allegedly meddling in a private prosecution. Solicitor general Russ Fraser stepped in as acting attorney general, becoming the first non-lawyer to hold the role in decades.[20]

On December 13, 1990, Vander Zalm shuffled his cabinet once more. Calling back to his last shuffle, he called the new lineup "a cabinet for the 21st century." Most notably, Bud Smith returned to cabinet as minister for regional and economic development. Fraser continued as attorney general, with Messmer taking his role as solicitor general. Jacobsen was named to social services and housing, to fill the gap left by Dueck's resignation. Three new members joined: Harry de Jong (agriculture), Jim Rabbitt (labour and consumer services) and Cliff Serwa (environment). Only one member was dropped from cabinet: Anthony Brummet, who had previously announced he would not be running for re-election. After the shuffle, the cabinet counted 23 members.[21] The Times Colonist noted that this was Zalm's fifth major cabinet shuffle, and that 32 ministers had gone through cabinet since the 1986 election.[22]

On March 6, 1991, Mel Couvelier quit cabinet in protest, saying he "couldn't sit beside" Vander Zalm while the latter was under investigation for conflict-of-interest. He was replaced as finance minister by Elwood Veitch.[23]

On March 28, 1991, Jack Davis, minister of energy, mines and petroleum resources, died in office.[24]

Notes

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  1. ^ "Post-Secondary Education" from August 6, 1986 to November 6, 1986; "Continuing Education and Job Training" from November 6, 1986 to December 10, 1986; "Advanced Education and Job Training" from December 10, 1986 to November 1, 1989
  2. ^ "Agriculture and Food" from August 7, 1986 to August 14, 1986
  3. ^ "Minister responsible for Crown Lands" from July 6, 1988 to November 1, 1989
  4. ^ "Environment and Parks" from August 14, 1986 to July 6, 1988; "Minister responsible for Environment" from July 6, 1988 to November 1, 1988
  5. ^ "Finance" from August 6, 1986 to November 6, 1986
  6. ^ "Forests and Lands" from August 14, 1986 to July 6, 1988
  7. ^ "Provincial Secretary and Government Services" from August 6, 1986 to July 6, 1988
  8. ^ "Labour" from August 6, 1986 to November 6, 1986
  9. ^ "Municipal Affairs" from August 7, 1986 to August 11, 1986; "Municipal Affairs and Transit" from August 14, 1986 to November 6, 1986
  10. ^ "Minister responsible for Native Affairs" from July 6, 1988 to November 1, 1989
  11. ^ "Minister responsible for Parks" from July 6, 1988 to November 1, 1989
  12. ^ Held concurrently with Government Management services from August 6, 1986 to July 6, 1988; held concurrently with Tourism from July 6, 1988 to November 1, 1989
  13. ^ "Regional Development" from July 6, 1988 to November 1, 1989
  14. ^ "Tourism, Recreation and Culture" from November 6, 1986 to July 6, 1988; "Tourism and Provincial Secretary" from July 6, 1988 to November 1, 1989

References

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Citations

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  1. ^ "Wilhelmus Nicholaas Theodore Marie Vander Zalm | The Canadian Encyclopedia". www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  2. ^ "Rita Johnston | The Canadian Encyclopedia". www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  3. ^ Leyne, Les (August 7, 1986). "Vander Zalm wants new spirit". Times Colonist. pp. A1, A3.
  4. ^ a b Leyne, Les (August 15, 1986). "Loyal trio promoted to cabinet". Times Colonist. pp. A1, A3.
  5. ^ Mason, Gary; Fitterman, Lisa; Baldrey, Keith (November 6, 1986). "Vander Zalm picks seven new faces". Vancouver Sun. pp. A1–A2.
  6. ^ Leyne, Les (March 4, 1987). "Rogers quits but gets a new job in cabinet". Times Colonist. pp. A1–A2.
  7. ^ Teichroeb, Ruth (March 8, 1987). "Timing worries NDP critic". The Province. p. 6.
  8. ^ Leyne, Les (April 1, 1986). "Rookie MLA Parker sworn in as sixth forests minister in the last 14 months". Times Colonist. pp. A1, A3.
  9. ^ Mason, Gary; Barrett, Tom (July 25, 1987). "Hagen's resignation dismays top educators". Vancouver Sun. pp. A1–A2.
  10. ^ Mason, Gary (August 6, 1986). "Hagen reinstated as minister after prove into conflict of interest". Times Colonist. pp. A1–A2.
  11. ^ Lavoie, Judith (November 13, 1986). "Michael quits cabinet job". Times Colonist. pp. A1–A2.
  12. ^ Mason, Gary (September 25, 1987). "Civil-service job losses forecast in regions plan". Vancouver Sun. pp. A1–A2.
  13. ^ Mason, Gary; Baldrey, Keith; Bolan, Kim (June 29, 1988). "B.C.'s top lawman shocks premier, house by quitting". Vancouver Sun. pp. A1–A2.
  14. ^ Leyne, Les (July 6, 1988). "McCarthy quits cabinet". Times Colonist. pp. A1–A2.
  15. ^ Mason, Gary; Baldrey, Keith (July 6, 1988). "Bud Smith, Ree to run A-G's office". Vancouver Sun. pp. A1–A2.
  16. ^ Leyne, Les; Nathan, Holly (July 7, 1988). "B.C. cabinet biggest ever". Times Colonist. pp. A1–A2.
  17. ^ Lee, Jeff (September 21, 1989). "NDP leader demands probe after Reid resigns cabinet post". Vancouver Sun. pp. A1–A2.
  18. ^ Leyne, Les (November 2, 1989). "Premier: Cabinet for '90s". Times Colonist. pp. A1–A2.
  19. ^ Leyne, Les (May 31, 1990). "Dueck sees trip report, resigns". Times Colonist. pp. A1.
  20. ^ Hauka, Don; McLintock, Barbara (July 13, 1990). "The Mounties will now dig into the Bud Smith case". The Province. p. 5.
  21. ^ Leyne, Les (December 14, 1990). "Zalm shuffles Bud into deck". Times Colonist. pp. A1–A2.
  22. ^ "Shuffle fifth since Zalm". Times Colonist. December 14, 1990. pp. B4.
  23. ^ Baldrey, Keith; Hunter, Justine (March 7, 1991). "Couldn't sit with premier in house, Couvelier says". Vancouver Sun. pp. A1, 3.
  24. ^ "B.C. and Canada lose long-serving Jack Davis". Vancouver Sun. March 28, 1991. pp. A14.

Sources

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"Vander Zalm Cabinet" (PDF). Legislative Library of British Columbia. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vander_Zalm_ministry&oldid=1256221471"