British Columbia Democratic Alliance
Encyclopedia
The British Columbia Democratic Alliance was a political party at the provincial level in the Province of British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...

, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...

.

It was founded in June 2004 by "individuals who are progressive in their policies, democratic in their principles, and represent an alliance of interests reflecting the future of British Columbia as a strong and equal partner in a united Canada." Its founders, former supporters of the Progressive Democratic Alliance
Progressive Democratic Alliance
The Progressive Democratic Alliance was a centrist political party in British Columbia, Canada founded by Gordon Wilson, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Powell River—Sunshine Coast....

, had hoped to resuscitate the old party which had been moribund since Gordon Wilson
Gordon Wilson (Canadian politician)
Gordon Wilson is a former provincial politician in British Columbia. He served as leader of the Liberal Party of BC from 1987–1993, leader and founder of the Progressive Democratic Alliance from 1993–1997, and in the provincial cabinet as Minister of Finance and Minister of Employment, Investment...

's defection to the NDP. For financial reasons (the PDA reportedly had $60,000 in bad debts), they instead chose to create a new entity.

The BCDA believed:
  • that every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age or mental or physical disability;
  • that all persons are endowed with an inherent worth and dignity;
  • that the role of government is:
    • to develop laws to protect the public trust, which is the environment;
    • to provide law and order, which allows social harmony; and
    • to provide comprehensive health care, adequate and effective education, and a social safety net for those who cannot otherwise provide for themselves.


In autumn 2004, the party formed the British Columbia Democratic Coalition
British Columbia Democratic Coalition
The British Columbia Democratic Coalition was a short-lived coalition of minor political parties in British Columbia, Canada. It was founded in September 2004 to bring together four minor parties: the British Columbia Democratic Alliance, the British Columbia Moderate Democratic Movement, the...

with three other small parties: the British Columbia Moderate Democratic Movement
British Columbia Moderate Democratic Movement
The British Columbia Moderate Democratic Movement is a minor political party in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. Its current status is unclear:...

, the Citizens Action Party
Citizens Action Party (British Columbia)
The Citizens Action Party is a minor political party in British Columbia, Canada. It was formed as a protest movement of senior citizens against their perceived victimization by the BC Liberal Party...

, and Link BC
Link BC
Link BC is a minor political party in the Province of British Columbia, Canada, describing itself as "centre-right".In September 2004, it joined with the British Columbia Democratic Alliance, the Citizens Action Party and the British Columbia Moderate Democratic Movement to form the British...

.

On January 15, 2005, the British Columbia Democratic Coalition participated in the founding convention of Democratic Reform British Columbia
Democratic Reform British Columbia
Democratic Reform British Columbia is a progressive–centrist political party in the Province of British Columbia, Canada.-Formation of the party:...

(DRBC) in which it merged with the Reform Party of British Columbia
Reform Party of British Columbia
The Reform Party of British Columbia is a populist right wing political party in British Columbia, Canada. Although its name is similar to the defunct Reform Party of Canada, the provincial party was founded before the federal party was and it did not have any formal association with...

 and All Nations Party of British Columbia
All Nations Party of British Columbia
The All Nations Party was a minor political party in British Columbia, Canada. Its primary base of support was the First Nations aboriginal peoples of Canada....

.

The DRBC calls itself a "socially progressive, fiscally conservative" centrist political party.
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