Pam Barrett
Encyclopedia
Pam Barrett was a politician who left politics in February 2000, after having a life-changing near-death experience.
in the Legislature office for Grant Notley
as a researcher, and she worked for the Alberta Federation of Labor before she got her party's nomination to run in the 1986 provincial election.
Pam attempted election in the 1986 Alberta general election
and was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
for the riding of Edmonton Highlands. She defeated 3 term incumbent Minister of Technology, Research, and Telecommunications David Thomas King
, in what was regarded as a substantial upset.
She served in the New Democrats official opposition caucus as Deputy House Leader from 1986 to 1993. She initially retired from provincial politics in 1993 claiming poor health resulting from job stress.
. In the 1997 Alberta general election
she ran for the re-created district of Edmonton Highlands and won. She served the third time from 1997 to 2000.
Barrett led the New Democrats in winning two seats in the Alberta Legislature in the 1997 election
(from zero in 1993). Her aggressive leadership style in and out of the legislature led many Alberta political watchers to nickname her "Mighty Mouse." She resigned her seat and leadership position in 2000.
's chair. She was succeeded by Raj Pannu
. After her sudden retirement from politics she went on a "spiritual search". Her near death-experience was a subject of both serious and satiric attention in the Canadian media. She was parodied on the CBC Television
show The Royal Canadian Air Farce
, and featured on the front cover of the May 2000 issue of lifestyle magazine Elm Street.
Early political career
Pam started working for the Alberta New Democratic PartyAlberta New Democratic Party
The Alberta New Democratic Party or Alberta NDP is a social-democratic political party in Alberta, Canada, which was originally founded as the Alberta section of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation...
in the Legislature office for Grant Notley
Grant Notley
Walter Grant Notley was a provincial politician in Alberta, Canada. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1971 to 1984 and also served as leader of the Alberta NDP from 1968 to 1984....
as a researcher, and she worked for the Alberta Federation of Labor before she got her party's nomination to run in the 1986 provincial election.
Pam attempted election in the 1986 Alberta general election
Alberta general election, 1986
The Alberta general election of 1986 was the twenty-first general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada. It was held on May 8, 1986 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta....
and was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
Legislative Assembly of Alberta
The Legislative Assembly of Alberta is one of two components of the Legislature of Alberta, the other being the Queen, represented by the Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta. The Alberta legislature meets in the Alberta Legislature Building in the provincial capital, Edmonton...
for the riding of Edmonton Highlands. She defeated 3 term incumbent Minister of Technology, Research, and Telecommunications David Thomas King
David Thomas King
David Thomas King is a Canadian politician and public education policy activist. He is a former Progressive Conservative Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from August, 1971 to April, 1986, during which time he was Legislative Secretary to Premier Peter Lougheed , Minister of...
, in what was regarded as a substantial upset.
She served in the New Democrats official opposition caucus as Deputy House Leader from 1986 to 1993. She initially retired from provincial politics in 1993 claiming poor health resulting from job stress.
Leader of Alberta New Democrats
Pam came back to politics after she contested and won the party leadership in 1996 following the resignation of Ross HarveyRoss Harvey
Ross Harvey is a Canadian politician and former member of the Canadian House of Commons from 1988 to 1993.- Biography :...
. In the 1997 Alberta general election
Alberta general election, 1997
The Alberta general election of 1997 was the twenty-fourth general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada. It was held on March 11, 1997 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta....
she ran for the re-created district of Edmonton Highlands and won. She served the third time from 1997 to 2000.
Barrett led the New Democrats in winning two seats in the Alberta Legislature in the 1997 election
Alberta general election, 1997
The Alberta general election of 1997 was the twenty-fourth general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada. It was held on March 11, 1997 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta....
(from zero in 1993). Her aggressive leadership style in and out of the legislature led many Alberta political watchers to nickname her "Mighty Mouse." She resigned her seat and leadership position in 2000.
Near death experience
Barrett resigned her position as party leader in 2000 after claiming a near-death experience in a dentistDentist
A dentist, also known as a 'dental surgeon', is a doctor that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity. The dentist's supporting team aides in providing oral health services...
's chair. She was succeeded by Raj Pannu
Raj Pannu
Raj Pannu is a Canadian educator and politician, who led the Alberta New Democratic Party from 2000 to 2004.Pannu was born in Punjab, India completing an undergraduate degree before immigrating to Canada in 1962...
. After her sudden retirement from politics she went on a "spiritual search". Her near death-experience was a subject of both serious and satiric attention in the Canadian media. She was parodied on the CBC Television
CBC Television
CBC Television is a Canadian television network owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the national public broadcaster.Although the CBC is supported by public funding, the television network supplements this funding with commercial advertising revenue, in contrast to CBC Radio which are...
show The Royal Canadian Air Farce
Royal Canadian Air Farce
Air Farce Live, also credited as Air Farce, previously Royal Canadian Air Farce, and Air Farce—Final Flight! for the final season, was a Canadian comedy series starring the comedy troupe The Royal Canadian Air Farce that previously starred in an eponymous radio show on CBC radio from 1973 to 1997...
, and featured on the front cover of the May 2000 issue of lifestyle magazine Elm Street.