List of British Columbia premiers
Encyclopedia
Premier of British Columbia
The Premier of British Columbia is the first minister, head of government, and de facto chief executive for the Canadian province of British Columbia. Until the early 1970s the title Prime Minister of British Columbia was often used...
is the First Minister
First Minister
A First Minister is the leader of a government cabinet.-Canada:In Canada, "First Ministers" is a collective term that refers to all Canadian first ministers of the Crown, otherwise known as heads of government, including the Prime Minister of Canada and the provincial and territorial premiers...
for the Canadian
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...
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...
. The province was a British crown colony governed by the Governors of British Columbia before joining Canadian Confederation
Canadian Confederation
Canadian Confederation was the process by which the federal Dominion of Canada was formed on July 1, 1867. On that day, three British colonies were formed into four Canadian provinces...
in 1871. Since then, it has had a unicameral Westminster-style
Westminster System
The Westminster system is a democratic parliamentary system of government modelled after the politics of the United Kingdom. This term comes from the Palace of Westminster, the seat of the Parliament of the United Kingdom....
parliamentary government, in which the Premier is the leader of the party that controls the most seats in the Legislative Assembly
Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia is one of two components of the Parliament of British Columbia, the provincial parliament ....
. The Premier is British Columbia's head of government
Head of government
Head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. In a parliamentary system, the head of government is often styled prime minister, chief minister, premier, etc...
, and the Queen of Canada is its head of state
Head of State
A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
and is represented by the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia
Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia
The Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia is the viceregal representative in British Columbia of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, who operates distinctly within the province but is also shared with equally the ten other jurisdictions of Canada and resides predominantly in her oldest...
. The Premier picks a cabinet from the elected members to form the Executive Council of British Columbia
Executive Council of British Columbia
The Executive Council of British Columbia is the cabinet of that Canadian province....
and presides over that body.
Members are first elected to the legislature during general elections. General elections must be conducted every four years from the date of the last election. An election may also take place if the governing party loses the confidence of the legislature by the defeat of a supply bill or tabling of a confidence motion.
Before 1903, British Columbia did not use a party system; instead, Premiers of British Columbia had no official party affiliation and were chosen by elected members of the Legislative Assembly from among themselves. Candidates ran as "Government", "Opposition", "Independent", or in formulations such as "Opposition independent", indicating their respective positions to the incumbent regime.
British Columbia has had 34 individuals serve as premier since joining Confederation, of which 14 individuals had no party affiliation, three were Conservatives
British Columbia Conservative Party
The British Columbia Conservative Party is a political party in British Columbia, Canada. First elected as the government in 1903, the party went into decline after 1933...
, eight were Liberals
British Columbia Liberal Party
The British Columbia Liberal Party is the governing political party in British Columbia, Canada. First elected for government in 1916, the party went into decline after 1952, with its rump caucus merging with the Social Credit Party for the 1975 election...
, four were Socreds
British Columbia Social Credit Party
The British Columbia Social Credit Party, whose members are known as Socreds, was the governing political party of British Columbia, Canada, for more than 30 years between the 1952 provincial election and the 1991 election...
, and five were New Democrats. The first Premier was John Foster McCreight
John Foster McCreight
John Foster McCreight QC was a jurist and the first Premier of the Canadian province of British Columbia.-Early life:...
, who was inaugurated in 1871. Joseph Martin
Joseph Martin (Canadian politician)
Joseph Martin was a lawyer and politician in Manitoba, British Columbia and the United Kingdom often referred to as "Fighting Joe".-Early life:...
spent the shortest time in office at 106 days. At over twenty years, W. A. C. Bennett spent the longest time in office, and is the only Premier to serve in more than four Parliaments. The incumbent Premier is Christy Clark
Christy Clark
Christina Joan "Christy" Clark, MLA is a Canadian politician, the 35th and current Premier of British Columbia, Canada...
, who was designated February 26, 2011
British Columbia Liberal Party leadership election, 2011
The British Columbia Liberal Party leadership election of 2011 was prompted by Gordon Campbell's announcement on November 3, 2010 that he would be resigning as Premier of British Columbia and had asked the BC Liberal Party to hold a leadership convention "at the earliest possible date." The...
.
Premiers of British Columbia
| Premier (party) |
Period | Parliaments Legislative Assembly of British Columbia The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia is one of two components of the Parliament of British Columbia, the provincial parliament .... |
Elections | |||
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1st | John Foster McCreight John Foster McCreight John Foster McCreight QC was a jurist and the first Premier of the Canadian province of British Columbia.-Early life:... (no party affiliation) |
November 14, 1871 December 23, 1872 |
– | Designated November 13, 1871 | |
| 1st | Elected October to December 1871 British Columbia general election, 1871 Formerly a British colony, British Columbia became a province of Canada on July 20, 1871. An interim Cabinet was appointed by the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, and election writs for the first general election were issued to choose 25 members of the first provincial legislature from 12... Resigned December 23, 1872 |
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2nd | Amor De Cosmos Amor De Cosmos Amor De Cosmos was a Canadian journalist, publisher and politician. He served as the second Premier of British Columbia.-Early life:... (no party affiliation) |
December 23, 1872 February 9, 1874 |
Designated December 23, 1872 Resigned February 9, 1874 |
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3rd | George Anthony Walkem George Anthony Walkem George Anthony "Boomer" Walkem was a British Columbian politician and jurist.Born in Newry, Ireland, Walkem moved to then Colony of British Columbia in 1862 and served as a member of the appointed Legislative Council of British Columbia from 1864 to 1870 and was a supporter of Canadian confederation... (no party affiliation) (1st time of 2) |
February 11, 1874 January 27, 1876 |
Designated February 11, 1874 | ||
| 2nd | Re-elected September to October 1875 British Columbia general election, 1875 This was the second election held after British Columbia became a province of Canada on July 20, 1871. Many of the politicians in the House had served with the Legislative Council or Assembly or the Executive Council, or had otherwise been stalwarts of the colonial era - some supporters of... Resigned January 27, 1876 |
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4th | Andrew Charles Elliott Andrew Charles Elliott Andrew Charles Elliott was a British Columbian politician and jurist. Elliott's varied career in British Columbia included Gold Commissioner, stipendiary magistrate and, following the union of the Island and Mainland Colonies in 1866 was appoint High Sheriff of the province, resigning his... (no party affiliation) |
February 1, 1876 June 25, 1878 |
Designated February 1, 1876 | ||
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5th | George Anthony Walkem George Anthony Walkem George Anthony "Boomer" Walkem was a British Columbian politician and jurist.Born in Newry, Ireland, Walkem moved to then Colony of British Columbia in 1862 and served as a member of the appointed Legislative Council of British Columbia from 1864 to 1870 and was a supporter of Canadian confederation... (no party affiliation) (2nd time of 2) |
June 25, 1878 June 6, 1882 |
3rd | Elected during 1878 British Columbia general election, 1878 This was the third election held after British Columbia became a province of Canada on July 20, 1871.- Non-party system :There were to be no political parties in the new province... |
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6th | Robert Beaven Robert Beaven Robert Beaven , son of James Beaven, was a British Columbia politician and businessman. Beaven moved to British Columbia from Toronto, where he had been educated at Upper Canada College, because of the gold rush. He entered business in Victoria, which was then the capital of the Colony of Vancouver... (no party affiliation) |
June 13, 1882 January 29, 1883 |
4th | Elected during 1882 British Columbia general election, 1882 This was the third election held after British Columbia became a province of Canada on July 20, 1871.-Non-party system:There were to be no political parties in the new province... Resigned January 29, 1883 |
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7th | William Smithe William Smithe William Smithe was a British Columbia politician.Smithe was born William Smith in England and moved to Canada in his youth, settling on Vancouver Island in 1862 as a farmer. In 1871, he ran in BC's first election and won a seat in the new provincial legislature... (no party affiliation) |
January 29, 1883 March 28, 1887 |
Designated January 29, 1883 | ||
| 5th | Re-elected during 1886 British Columbia general election, 1886 This was the fourth election held after British Columbia became a province of Canada on July 20, 1871. The number of members was increased for this election from 25 to 27, and the number of ridings increased to 13.- Non-party system :... Died in office March 28, 1887 |
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8th | Alexander Edmund Batson Davie Alexander Edmund Batson Davie Alexander Edmund Batson Davie, QC who is usually referred to as A. E. B. Davie, was a British Columbia politician and lawyer, and was premier of British Columbia from 1887 until his death.Called to the bar in 1873 he was the first person to receive his entire law education in British... (no party affiliation) |
April 1, 1887 August 1, 1889 |
Designated March 29, 1887 Died in office August 1, 1889 |
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9th | John Robson John Robson John Robson was a Canadian journalist and politician, who served as the ninth Premier of the Province of British Columbia.-Journalist and activist:... (no party affiliation) |
August 2, 1889 June 29, 1892 |
Designated August 2, 1889 | ||
| 6th | Re-elected during 1890 British Columbia general election, 1890 This was the sixth election held after British Columbia became a province of Canada on July 20, 1871. The number of members was increased for this election from 27 in the previous election to 33, although the number of ridings was decreased to 18.... Died in office June 29, 1892 |
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10th | Theodore Davie Theodore Davie Theodore Davie was a British Columbia lawyer, politician and jurist. He practiced law in Cassiar and Nanaimo before settling in Victoria and becoming a leading criminal lawyer. He was the brother of Alexander Edmund Batson Davie. Theodore Davie was first elected to the provincial legislature in... (no party affiliation) |
July 2, 1892 March 2, 1895 |
Designated July 2, 1892 | ||
| 7th | Re-elected in 1894 British Columbia general election, 1894 This was the seventh election held after British Columbia became a province of Canada on July 20, 1871. The number of members remained at 33 with the number of ridings increased to 26 as a result of the partition of the Yale and Westminster ridings.... Resigned March 2, 1895 |
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11th | John Herbert Turner John Herbert Turner John Herbert Turner was a British Columbia politician. Born in Claydon, Suffolk, England, Turner moved to British North America and worked as a merchant in Halifax and Charlottetown. In 1862 he moved to Victoria, British Columbia and founded Turner, Beeton and Co... (no party affiliation) |
March 4, 1895 August 8, 1898 |
Designated March 4, 1895 | ||
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12th | Charles Augustus Semlin Charles Augustus Semlin Charles Augustus Semlin was a British Columbia politician.Born near Barrie, Upper Canada, Semlin worked there as a schoolteacher until 1862 when he moved to British Columbia during the gold rush to become a prospector. In 1869 he purchased the Dominion Ranch and became a rancher... (no party affiliation) |
August 15, 1898 February 27, 1900 |
8th | Elected during 1989 British Columbia general election, 1898 The British Columbia general election of 1898 was the eighth general election for the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.-Party politics:... Resigned February 27, 1900 |
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13th | Joseph Martin Joseph Martin (Canadian politician) Joseph Martin was a lawyer and politician in Manitoba, British Columbia and the United Kingdom often referred to as "Fighting Joe".-Early life:... (no party affiliation) |
February 28, 1900 June 14, 1900 |
Designated February 28, 1900 | ||
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14th | James Dunsmuir James Dunsmuir James Dunsmuir was a British Columbian industrialist and politician. Son of Robert Dunsmuir, he was heir to his family's coal fortune. The Dunsmuir family dominated the province's economy in the late nineteenth century and were a leading force in opposing organized labour... (no party affiliation) |
June 15, 1900 November 21, 1902 |
9th | Elected June 9, 1900 British Columbia general election, 1900 The British Columbia general election of 1900 was the ninth general election for the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on April 24, 1900, and held on June 9, 1900... Resigned November 21, 1902 |
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15th | Edward Gawler Prior Edward Gawler Prior Edward Gawler Prior, PC was a mining engineer and politician in British Columbia. Prior worked as a mining engineer in England until 1873 when he moved to the province where he settled in Nanaimo and took employment as assistant manager of the Vancouver Coal Mining & Land Co., Ltd... (no party affiliation) |
November 21, 1902 June 1, 1903 |
Designated November 21, 1902 Dismissed June 1, 1903 |
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16th | Richard McBride Richard McBride Sir Richard McBride, KCMG was a British Columbian politician and is often considered the founder of the British Columbia Conservative Party. McBride was first elected to the provincial legislature in the 1898 election, and served in the cabinet of James Dunsmuir from 1900 to 1901... (Conservative British Columbia Conservative Party The British Columbia Conservative Party is a political party in British Columbia, Canada. First elected as the government in 1903, the party went into decline after 1933... ) |
June 1, 1903 December 15, 1915 |
Designated June 1, 1903 | ||
| 10th | Re-elected October 3, 1903 British Columbia general election, 1903 The British Columbia general election of 1903 was the tenth general election for the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on September 5, 1903, and held on October 3, 1903... |
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| 11th | Re-elected February 2, 1907 British Columbia general election, 1907 The British Columbia general election of 1907 was the eleventh general election for the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election called on December 24, 1906, and held on February 2, 1907... |
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| 12th | Re-elected November 25, 1909 British Columbia general election, 1909 The British Columbia general election of 1909 was the twelfth general election for the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on October 20, 1909, and held on November 25, 1909'... |
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| 13th | Re-elected March 28, 1912 British Columbia general election, 1912 The British Columbia general election of 1912 was the thirteenth general election for the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on February 27, 1912, and held on March 28, 1912... Resigned December 15, 1915 |
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17th | William John Bowser William John Bowser William John Bowser was a politician in British Columbia, Canada. He served as Premier of British Columbia from 1915 to 1916.... (Conservative British Columbia Conservative Party The British Columbia Conservative Party is a political party in British Columbia, Canada. First elected as the government in 1903, the party went into decline after 1933... ) |
December 15, 1915 November 23, 1916 |
Designated December 15, 1915 | ||
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18th | Harlan Carey Brewster Harlan Carey Brewster Harlan Carey Brewster was a politician in British Columbia, Canada. Brewster arrived in British Columbia in 1893, and had various careers working on a ship and then in a cannery. He eventually became owner of his own canning company... (Liberal British Columbia Liberal Party The British Columbia Liberal Party is the governing political party in British Columbia, Canada. First elected for government in 1916, the party went into decline after 1952, with its rump caucus merging with the Social Credit Party for the 1975 election... ) |
November 23, 1916 March 1, 1918 |
14th | Elected September 14, 1916 British Columbia general election, 1916 The British Columbia general election of 1916 was the fourteenth general election for the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on July 5, 1916, and held on September 14, 1916... Died in office March 1, 1918 |
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19th | John Oliver John Oliver (politician) John Oliver was a politician and farmer in British Columbia, Canada.Oliver was involved in local politics when he won a seat in the provincial legislature in the 1900 election, and became leader of the opposition. He lost his seat in the 1909 election... (Liberal British Columbia Liberal Party The British Columbia Liberal Party is the governing political party in British Columbia, Canada. First elected for government in 1916, the party went into decline after 1952, with its rump caucus merging with the Social Credit Party for the 1975 election... ) |
March 6, 1918 August 17, 1927 |
Designated March 6, 1918 | ||
| 15th | Re-elected December 1, 1920 British Columbia general election, 1920 The British Columbia general election of 1920 was the fifteenth general election for the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on October 23, 1920, and held on December 1, 1920... |
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| 16th | Re-elected June 20, 1924 British Columbia general election, 1924 The British Columbia general election of 1924 was the sixteenth general election in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on May 10, 1924, and held on June 20, 1924... to a minority Minority governments in Canada During the history of Canadian politics, eleven minority governments have been elected at the federal level. There have also been two minority governments resulting from governments being replaced between elections, for a total of thirteen federal minority governments in twelve separate minority... Died in office August 17, 1927 |
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| 20th | John Duncan MacLean John Duncan MacLean John Duncan MacLean was a teacher, physician, politician and the 20th Premier of British Columbia, Canada.... (Liberal British Columbia Liberal Party The British Columbia Liberal Party is the governing political party in British Columbia, Canada. First elected for government in 1916, the party went into decline after 1952, with its rump caucus merging with the Social Credit Party for the 1975 election... ) |
August 20, 1927 August 20, 1928 |
Designated August 20, 1927 to a minority Minority governments in Canada During the history of Canadian politics, eleven minority governments have been elected at the federal level. There have also been two minority governments resulting from governments being replaced between elections, for a total of thirteen federal minority governments in twelve separate minority... |
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21st | Simon Fraser Tolmie Simon Fraser Tolmie Simon Fraser Tolmie, PC was a veterinarian, farmer, politician, and the 21st Premier of the Province of British Columbia, Canada.... (Conservative British Columbia Conservative Party The British Columbia Conservative Party is a political party in British Columbia, Canada. First elected as the government in 1903, the party went into decline after 1933... ) |
August 21, 1928 November 15, 1933 |
17th | Elected July 18, 1928 British Columbia general election, 1928 The British Columbia general election of 1928 was the seventeenth general election in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on June 7, 1928, and held on July 18, 1928... |
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22nd | Thomas Dufferin Pattullo Thomas Dufferin Pattullo Thomas Dufferin Pattullo was the 22nd Premier of British Columbia, Canada from 1933 to 1941. The Pattullo Bridge is named in his honour as well as Prince Rupert's Pattullo Park.... (Liberal British Columbia Liberal Party The British Columbia Liberal Party is the governing political party in British Columbia, Canada. First elected for government in 1916, the party went into decline after 1952, with its rump caucus merging with the Social Credit Party for the 1975 election... ) |
November 15, 1933 December 9, 1941 |
18th | Elected November 2, 1933 British Columbia general election, 1933 The British Columbia general election of 1933 was the eighteenth general election in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on September 13, 1933, and held on November 2, 1933... |
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| 19th | Re-elected June 1, 1937 British Columbia general election, 1937 The British Columbia general election of 1937 was the nineteenth general election in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on April 14, 1937, and held on June 1, 1937... |
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| 20th | Re-elected October 21, 1941 British Columbia general election, 1941 The British Columbia general election, 1941 was the twentieth general election in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on September 9, 1941, and held on October 21, 1941.After the election, a... to a minority Minority governments in Canada During the history of Canadian politics, eleven minority governments have been elected at the federal level. There have also been two minority governments resulting from governments being replaced between elections, for a total of thirteen federal minority governments in twelve separate minority... Resigned (protest) December 9, 1941 |
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| 23rd | John Hart (Liberal British Columbia Liberal Party The British Columbia Liberal Party is the governing political party in British Columbia, Canada. First elected for government in 1916, the party went into decline after 1952, with its rump caucus merging with the Social Credit Party for the 1975 election... ) |
December 9, 1941 December 29, 1947 |
Designated Premier by a coalition Coalition A coalition is a pact or treaty among individuals or groups, during which they cooperate in joint action, each in their own self-interest, joining forces together for a common cause. This alliance may be temporary or a matter of convenience. A coalition thus differs from a more formal covenant... with the Conservatives December 9, 1941 |
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| 21st | Re-elected October 25, 1945 British Columbia general election, 1945 The British Columbia general election of 1945 was the twenty-first general election in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on August 31, 1945, and held on October 25, 1945... to a coalition Coalition A coalition is a pact or treaty among individuals or groups, during which they cooperate in joint action, each in their own self-interest, joining forces together for a common cause. This alliance may be temporary or a matter of convenience. A coalition thus differs from a more formal covenant... Resigned December 29, 1947 |
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24th | Byron Ingemar Johnson Byron Ingemar Johnson Byron Ingemar "Boss" Johnson , born Björn Ingimar "Bjössi" Jónsson,to family of Icelandic Immigrants,he served as the 24th Premier of the province of British Columbia, Canada, from 1947 to 1952... (Liberal British Columbia Liberal Party The British Columbia Liberal Party is the governing political party in British Columbia, Canada. First elected for government in 1916, the party went into decline after 1952, with its rump caucus merging with the Social Credit Party for the 1975 election... ) |
December 29, 1947 August 1, 1952 |
Designated Premier by a coalition Coalition A coalition is a pact or treaty among individuals or groups, during which they cooperate in joint action, each in their own self-interest, joining forces together for a common cause. This alliance may be temporary or a matter of convenience. A coalition thus differs from a more formal covenant... with the Conservatives December 29, 1947 |
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| 22nd | Re-elected June 15, 1949 British Columbia general election, 1949 The British Columbia general election of 1949 was the 22nd general election in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on April 16, 1949, and held on June 15, 1949... to a coalition Coalition A coalition is a pact or treaty among individuals or groups, during which they cooperate in joint action, each in their own self-interest, joining forces together for a common cause. This alliance may be temporary or a matter of convenience. A coalition thus differs from a more formal covenant... |
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| 25th | William Andrew Cecil Bennett (Social Credit British Columbia Social Credit Party The British Columbia Social Credit Party, whose members are known as Socreds, was the governing political party of British Columbia, Canada, for more than 30 years between the 1952 provincial election and the 1991 election... ) |
August 1, 1952 September 15, 1972 |
23rd | Elected June 12, 1952 British Columbia general election, 1952 The British Columbia general election, 1952 was the 23rd general election in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on April 10, 1952, and held on June 12, 1952. The new legislature met for the... to a minority Minority governments in Canada During the history of Canadian politics, eleven minority governments have been elected at the federal level. There have also been two minority governments resulting from governments being replaced between elections, for a total of thirteen federal minority governments in twelve separate minority... |
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| 24th | Re-elected June 9, 1953 British Columbia general election, 1953 The British Columbia general election of 1953 was the 24th general election in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on April 10, 1953, and held on June 9, 1953... |
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| 25th | Re-elected September 19, 1956 British Columbia general election, 1956 The British Columbia general election of 1956 was the 25th general election in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on August 13, 1956, and held on September 19, 1956. The new legislature met... |
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| 26th | Re-elected September 12, 1960 British Columbia general election, 1960 The British Columbia general election of 1960 was the 26th general election in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on August 3, 1960, and held on September 12, 1960. The new legislature met... |
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| 27th | Re-elected September 30, 1963 British Columbia general election, 1963 The British Columbia general election of 1963 was the 27th general election in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on August 22, 1963, and held on September 30, 1963... |
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| 28th | Re-elected September 12, 1966 British Columbia general election, 1966 The British Columbia general election of 1966 was the 28th general election in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on August 5, 1966 and held on September 12, 1966... |
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| 29th | Re-elected August 27, 1969 British Columbia general election, 1969 The British Columbia general election of 1969 was the 29th general election in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on July 21, 1969, and held on August 27, 1969... |
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| 26th | David Barrett Dave Barrett David Barrett, OC , commonly known as Dave Barrett, is a retired politician and social worker in British Columbia, Canada... (NDP) |
September 15, 1972 December 22, 1975 |
30th | Elected August 30, 1972 British Columbia general election, 1972 The 30th general election for the Canadian province of British Columbia was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on July 24, 1972, and held on August 30, 1972... |
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| 27th | William Richards Bennett (Social Credit British Columbia Social Credit Party The British Columbia Social Credit Party, whose members are known as Socreds, was the governing political party of British Columbia, Canada, for more than 30 years between the 1952 provincial election and the 1991 election... ) |
December 22, 1975 August 6, 1986 |
31st | Elected December 11, 1975 British Columbia general election, 1975 The British Columbia general election of 1975 was the 31st general election in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on November 3, 1975, and held on December 11, 1975... |
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| 32nd | Re-elected May 10, 1979 British Columbia general election, 1979 The British Columbia general election of 1979 was the 32nd general election in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on April 3, 1979... |
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| 33rd | Re-elected May 5, 1983 British Columbia general election, 1983 The British Columbia general election of 1983 was the 33rd provincial election for the province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on April 7, 1983. The election was held on May 5, 1983... Resigned August 6, 1986 |
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| 28th | William N.T.M. Vander Zalm Bill Vander Zalm Wilhelmus Nicholaas Theodore Marie "Bill" Vander Zalm is a politician and entrepreneur in British Columbia, Canada. He was the 28th Premier of British Columbia from 1986 to 1991.-Early life:... (Social Credit British Columbia Social Credit Party The British Columbia Social Credit Party, whose members are known as Socreds, was the governing political party of British Columbia, Canada, for more than 30 years between the 1952 provincial election and the 1991 election... ) |
August 6, 1986 April 2, 1991 |
Designated August 6, 1986 | |||
| 34th | Re-elected October 22, 1986 British Columbia general election, 1986 The British Columbia general election of 1986 was the 34th general election in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on September 24, 1986... Resigned April 2, 1991 |
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| 29th | Rita Margaret Johnston Rita Johnston Rita Margaret Johnston was a politician in British Columbia, Canada. Johnston became the first female premier in Canadian history when she succeeded William Vander Zalm in 1991 to become the 29th Premier of British Columbia.Much of her early life was spent running a successful trailer park in the... (Social Credit British Columbia Social Credit Party The British Columbia Social Credit Party, whose members are known as Socreds, was the governing political party of British Columbia, Canada, for more than 30 years between the 1952 provincial election and the 1991 election... ) |
April 2, 1991 November 5, 1991 |
Designated April 2, 1991 | |||
| 30th | Michael Franklin Harcourt Mike Harcourt Michael Franklin Harcourt served as the 30th Premier of the province of British Columbia in Canada from 1991 to 1996, and before that as the 34th mayor of BC's major city, Vancouver from 1980 to 1986.... (NDP) |
November 5, 1991 February 22, 1996 |
35th | Elected October 17, 1991 British Columbia general election, 1991 The British Columbia general election of 1991 was the 35th provincial election in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on September 19, 1991, and held on October 17, 1991... Resigned February 22, 1996 |
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| 31st | Glen David Clark Glen Clark Glen David Clark is a politician in British Columbia, Canada who served as the 31st Premier of British Columbia from 1996 to 1999.-Early life and education:... (NDP) |
February 22, 1996 August 25, 1999 |
Designated February 22, 1996 | |||
| 36th | Re-elected May 28, 1996 British Columbia general election, 1996 The British Columbia general election of 1996 was the thirty sixth provincial election in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on April 30, 1996, and held on May 28, 1996... Resigned August 25, 1999 |
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| 32nd | Arthur Daniel Miller Dan Miller (Canadian politician) Arthur Daniel Miller is a Canadian politician. He served as interim leader of the New Democratic Party of British Columbia and served as the 32nd Premier of British Columbia for six months from August 25, 1999 to February 24, 2000, following the resignation of Glen Clark.First elected to the BC... (NDP) |
August 25, 1999 February 24, 2000 |
Designated August 29, 1999 Resigned February 24, 2000 |
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| 33rd | Ujjal Singh Dosanjh Ujjal Dosanjh Ujjal Dev Singh Dosanjh, PC, QC, is a Sikh Canadian lawyer and politician. He served as 33rd Premier of British Columbia from 2000 to 2001 and as a Liberal Party of Canada Member of Parliament from 2004 to 2011 including a stint as Minister of Health from 2004 until 2006 when the party lost... (NDP) |
February 24, 2000 June 5, 2001 |
Designated February 24, 2000 | |||
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34th | Gordon Muir Campbell (Liberal British Columbia Liberal Party The British Columbia Liberal Party is the governing political party in British Columbia, Canada. First elected for government in 1916, the party went into decline after 1952, with its rump caucus merging with the Social Credit Party for the 1975 election... ) |
June 5, 2001 March 14, 2011 |
37th | Elected May 16, 2001 British Columbia general election, 2001 The British Columbia general election of 2001 was the 37th provincial election in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on April 18, 2001, and held on May 16, 2001... |
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| 38th | Re-elected May 17, 2005 British Columbia general election, 2005 The 38th British Columbia general election was held on May 17, 2005, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia , Canada. The BC Liberal Party formed the government of the province prior to this general election under the leadership of Premier Gordon Campbell... |
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| 39th | Re-elected May 12, 2009 British Columbia general election, 2009 The 39th British Columbia general election was held on May 12, 2009 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly in the Canadian province of British Columbia. The BC Liberal Party formed the government of the province prior to this general election under the leadership of Premier Gordon Campbell... Resigned November 3, 2010 |
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| 35th | Christina Joan Clark Christy Clark Christina Joan "Christy" Clark, MLA is a Canadian politician, the 35th and current Premier of British Columbia, Canada... (Liberal British Columbia Liberal Party The British Columbia Liberal Party is the governing political party in British Columbia, Canada. First elected for government in 1916, the party went into decline after 1952, with its rump caucus merging with the Social Credit Party for the 1975 election... ) |
March 14, 2011 Incumbent |
Designated February 26, 2011 British Columbia Liberal Party leadership election, 2011 The British Columbia Liberal Party leadership election of 2011 was prompted by Gordon Campbell's announcement on November 3, 2010 that he would be resigning as Premier of British Columbia and had asked the BC Liberal Party to hold a leadership convention "at the earliest possible date." The... |
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Living former premiers
, nine former premiers are alive, the oldest being Dave BarrettDave Barrett
David Barrett, OC , commonly known as Dave Barrett, is a retired politician and social worker in British Columbia, Canada...
(1972–1975, born 1930). The most recent former premier to die was W. A. C. Bennett (1952–1972), on February 23, 1979.
| Name | Term | Date of birth |
|---|---|---|
| Dave Barrett Dave Barrett David Barrett, OC , commonly known as Dave Barrett, is a retired politician and social worker in British Columbia, Canada... |
1972–1975 | October 02, 1930 (age 81) |
| Bill Bennett Bill Bennett William Richards Bennett, PC, OBC , commonly known as Bill Bennett, was the 27th Premier of the Canadian province of British Columbia 1975–1986. He is a son of the former Premier, W. A. C. Bennett. He was a 3rd cousin, twice removed, of R.B... |
1975–1986 | August 18, 1932 (age 79) |
| Bill Vander Zalm Bill Vander Zalm Wilhelmus Nicholaas Theodore Marie "Bill" Vander Zalm is a politician and entrepreneur in British Columbia, Canada. He was the 28th Premier of British Columbia from 1986 to 1991.-Early life:... |
1986–1991 | May 29, 1934 (age 77) |
| Rita Johnston Rita Johnston Rita Margaret Johnston was a politician in British Columbia, Canada. Johnston became the first female premier in Canadian history when she succeeded William Vander Zalm in 1991 to become the 29th Premier of British Columbia.Much of her early life was spent running a successful trailer park in the... |
1991 | April 22, 1935 (age 76) |
| Mike Harcourt Mike Harcourt Michael Franklin Harcourt served as the 30th Premier of the province of British Columbia in Canada from 1991 to 1996, and before that as the 34th mayor of BC's major city, Vancouver from 1980 to 1986.... |
1991–1996 | January 06, 1943 (age 69) |
| Glen Clark Glen Clark Glen David Clark is a politician in British Columbia, Canada who served as the 31st Premier of British Columbia from 1996 to 1999.-Early life and education:... |
1996–1999 | November 22, 1957 (age 54) |
| Dan Miller Dan Miller (Canadian politician) Arthur Daniel Miller is a Canadian politician. He served as interim leader of the New Democratic Party of British Columbia and served as the 32nd Premier of British Columbia for six months from August 25, 1999 to February 24, 2000, following the resignation of Glen Clark.First elected to the BC... |
1999–2000 | December 24, 1944 (age 67) |
| Ujjal Dosanjh Ujjal Dosanjh Ujjal Dev Singh Dosanjh, PC, QC, is a Sikh Canadian lawyer and politician. He served as 33rd Premier of British Columbia from 2000 to 2001 and as a Liberal Party of Canada Member of Parliament from 2004 to 2011 including a stint as Minister of Health from 2004 until 2006 when the party lost... |
2000–2001 | September 09, 1947 (age 64) |
| Gordon Campbell | 2001–2011 | January 12, 1948 (age 64) |
See also
- List of Leaders of the Opposition in British Columbia
- List of British Columbia premiers by time in office