Dave Barrett, 26th premier of British Columbia, passes away at age 87

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      Former B.C. premier Dave Barrett passed away today.

      “It is with great sadness we inform you that Dave Barrett, former Premier of British Columbia and federal Member of Parliament, passed away on the morning of February 2, 2018,” reads a statement the family sent to media.

      “His passing comes after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease,” it continues. “He cared deeply about the 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.”

      Barrett was premier from 1972 to 1975.

      He was born in Vancouver and first elected to the B.C. legislature in 1960, with the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation, which later became the NDP.

      Among notable accomplishments while premier, his government banned corporal punishment in B.C. schools, reformed the province’s welfare system, and created the agricultural-land reserve for B.C. farmland.

      After leaving the office of premier, he entered federal politics and was an elected MP from 1988 to 1993.

      B.C.'s current premier, John Horgan, issued a statement on Barrett's death in the early evening.

      "Today, B.C. has lost a giant," it begins. "His visionary leadership and unflinching commitment to the well-being of ordinary people around the province led to lasting change that shaped our province for the better.

      "In just one short term, his government delivered our first modern ambulance service, the Agricultural Land Reserve and public auto insurance. We are all better off, thanks to his tireless work and immeasurable contributions to public life.

      "His sense of humour and ability to command a room with his oratory was legendary. First and foremost, I will always remember his commitment to working for regular people."

      Barrett was 87 years old when he passed away today.

      His political life is recounted in a book called The Art of the Impossible: Dave Barrett and the NDP in Power, 1972-1975, which was written by Vancouver journalist Rod Mickleburgh and Geoff Meggs, who today serves as chief of staff to premier Horgan, and published in 2012.

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