Philip Gaglardi
Encyclopedia
Philip Arthur Gaglardi (January 13, 1913 - September 23, 1995), sometimes known as Flying Phil or even Sorry Phil, was a politician in the Canadian
province of British Columbia
. He is best known for his service as Minister of Highways in the BC government from 1955 to 1968.
as one of eleven children to poor Italian immigrants. In 1943 he married Jennie Sandin, a Pentecostal minister. He attended bible school and was also ordained as Pentecostal minister. In 1947 they moved to Kamloops and he became leader of Calvary Temple (now St. Andrew’s). Phil began the radio program “Chapel in the Sky” and Jennie the “Aunt Jennie” broadcast. Gaglardi continued his weekly 15 minute broadcasts throughout his political career.
The Gaglardis had two sons: Tom Gaglardi
, founder of Northland Properties, who's holdings include the 35-hotel Sandman Hotel chain and 100-plus restaurants under various labels, and Jim, a Calgary businessman.
as a Member of the Legislative Assembly
(MLA) as part of the British Columbia Social Credit League
. The party had enough seats to form a minority government
, but had no leader. Gaglardi ran for the post, but lost in a vote of caucus
members. It was reported that Gaglardi lost by 10 to 9 to W.A.C. Bennett
, but according to Bennett's biographer, Bennett received 10 of the 19 votes and Gaglardi one. He won a total of seven elections
and served as a Cabinet minister for the full duration of Bennett's time as Premier.
was sworn into office, August 1, 1952. His office included responsibility for highways. In 1955 Bennett created a new Department of Highways and appointed Gaglardi as the first Minister of Highways. His term was marked by rapid expansion of the province's paved road system, as well as the completion of most of the major road bridges in British Columbia
. Bennett described the building program as "the greatest highway building program...per capita in the entire Western world."
Gaglardi as Minister of Highways was also given responsibility for BC Ferries
and its rapid expansion soon after it was nationalized in 1960. He claimed he "built the whole system around my own impatience."
He is probably mostly remembered for his flamboyant style. He was first noted for the "Sorry for the delays" signs he had put up at road construction areas (hence, "Sorry Phil").
What really got him noticed was the way he managed to convince a reluctant W.A.C. Bennett to buy the government a Learjet (hence, "Flyin' Phil"). Premier Bennett was travelling in a newly inaugurated government-owned ferry to Prince Rupert
. To demonstrate that the ferry was too slow for government business, he convinced a pilot friend to fly him to Prince Rupert in a Learjet, thereby managing to get there before Bennett did. Gaglardi waited on the dock to greet the Premier with a purchase contract for the plane. The plane was quickly purchased.
Another explanation of Gaglardi's nickname was his propensity for getting speeding tickets whilst driving in large-engined cars around the province checking on the progress of road construction or in his own words "testing the curves".
In the 1963 provincial general election he defeated Davie Fulton
, who had retired from federal politics to head the BC Progressive Conservative Party and chose Kamloops as his preferred entry to the Legislature.
in 1968 Gaglardi came under fire in the legislature over re-occurring allegations of preferred highway access to property owned by his sons, use of departmental facilities to provide sign material and construction to benefit their properties, and departmental work performed on his private property. He announced resigned in March 1968 after revelations of him having his daughter-in-law and grandson in the government jet. Bennett subsequently let it be known that Gaglardi had been fired. He continued in Cabinet as Minister without portfolio.
During the 1972 provincial general election he predicted that Bennett would resign soon after winning the election, accused the premier of being "an old man who doesn't understand what is happening with the young people of this province", claimed the cabinet was "filled with square pegs in round holes", and stated "I'm the only real choice for the job." Gaglardi was defeated in the 1972 general election which the Socreds lost to the New Democratic Party.
.
In 1978, he seriously considered running for the leadership of the federal Social Credit Party of Canada
but withdrew after his demands for a jet plane and $1 million to fight the next federal election were rejected.
Gaglardi died on September 23, 1995.
Gaglardi Way, a major thoroughfare in Burnaby, British Columbia
connecting the Trans-Canada Highway
to Simon Fraser University
, is named for him.
A statue of Gaglardi was erected in Kamloops. The statue is lifesize at 5 foot 4 inches tall.
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...
. He is best known for his service as Minister of Highways in the BC government from 1955 to 1968.
Private and family life
Gaglardi was born in Mission, British ColumbiaMission, British Columbia
Mission, the core of which was formerly known as Mission City, is a district municipality in the province of British Columbia, Canada. It is situated on the north bank of the Fraser River overlooking the City of Abbotsford and with that city is part of the Central Fraser Valley. Mission is the...
as one of eleven children to poor Italian immigrants. In 1943 he married Jennie Sandin, a Pentecostal minister. He attended bible school and was also ordained as Pentecostal minister. In 1947 they moved to Kamloops and he became leader of Calvary Temple (now St. Andrew’s). Phil began the radio program “Chapel in the Sky” and Jennie the “Aunt Jennie” broadcast. Gaglardi continued his weekly 15 minute broadcasts throughout his political career.
The Gaglardis had two sons: Tom Gaglardi
Tom Gaglardi
R. Thomas Gaglardi , is a Canadian Business Executive, and owner of the Dallas Stars, of the National Hockey League.-Career:Gaglardi is president of Northland Properties Corporation, which he and his family own...
, founder of Northland Properties, who's holdings include the 35-hotel Sandman Hotel chain and 100-plus restaurants under various labels, and Jim, a Calgary businessman.
Political career
Gaglardi was first elected to the legislature in the 1952 electionBritish 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...
as a Member of the Legislative Assembly
Member of the Legislative Assembly
A Member of the Legislative Assembly or a Member of the Legislature , is a representative elected by the voters of a constituency to the legislature or legislative assembly of a sub-national jurisdiction....
(MLA) as part of the British Columbia Social Credit League
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...
. The party had enough seats to form a minority government
Minority government
A minority government or a minority cabinet is a cabinet of a parliamentary system formed when a political party or coalition of parties does not have a majority of overall seats in the parliament but is sworn into government to break a Hung Parliament election result. It is also known as a...
, but had no leader. Gaglardi ran for the post, but lost in a vote of caucus
Caucus
A caucus is a meeting of supporters or members of a political party or movement, especially in the United States and Canada. As the use of the term has been expanded the exact definition has come to vary among political cultures.-Origin of the term:...
members. It was reported that Gaglardi lost by 10 to 9 to W.A.C. Bennett
W.A.C. Bennett
William Andrew Cecil Bennett, PC, OC was the 25th Premier of the Canadian province of British Columbia. With just over 20 years in office, Bennett was and remains the longest-serving premier in British Columbia history. He was usually referred to as W.A.C...
, but according to Bennett's biographer, Bennett received 10 of the 19 votes and Gaglardi one. He won a total of seven elections
Kamloops (provincial electoral district)
Kamloops was a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Canada from 1903 to 2009. The provincial constituency should not be confused with the former federal electoral district of Kamloops, which encompassed a much larger area.For other ridings named Kamloops...
and served as a Cabinet minister for the full duration of Bennett's time as Premier.
Minister of Highways
Gaglardi was appointed Minister of Public Works on the day Bennett's cabinetCabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
was sworn into office, August 1, 1952. His office included responsibility for highways. In 1955 Bennett created a new Department of Highways and appointed Gaglardi as the first Minister of Highways. His term was marked by rapid expansion of the province's paved road system, as well as the completion of most of the major road bridges in 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...
. Bennett described the building program as "the greatest highway building program...per capita in the entire Western world."
Gaglardi as Minister of Highways was also given responsibility for BC Ferries
BC Ferries
British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. or BC Ferries is a de facto Crown Corporation that provides all major passenger and vehicle ferry services for coastal and island communities in the Canadian province of British Columbia...
and its rapid expansion soon after it was nationalized in 1960. He claimed he "built the whole system around my own impatience."
He is probably mostly remembered for his flamboyant style. He was first noted for the "Sorry for the delays" signs he had put up at road construction areas (hence, "Sorry Phil").
What really got him noticed was the way he managed to convince a reluctant W.A.C. Bennett to buy the government a Learjet (hence, "Flyin' Phil"). Premier Bennett was travelling in a newly inaugurated government-owned ferry to Prince Rupert
Prince Rupert, British Columbia
Prince Rupert is a port city in the province of British Columbia, Canada. It is the land, air, and water transportation hub of British Columbia's North Coast, and home to some 12,815 people .-History:...
. To demonstrate that the ferry was too slow for government business, he convinced a pilot friend to fly him to Prince Rupert in a Learjet, thereby managing to get there before Bennett did. Gaglardi waited on the dock to greet the Premier with a purchase contract for the plane. The plane was quickly purchased.
Another explanation of Gaglardi's nickname was his propensity for getting speeding tickets whilst driving in large-engined cars around the province checking on the progress of road construction or in his own words "testing the curves".
In the 1963 provincial general election he defeated Davie Fulton
Davie Fulton
Edmund Davie Fulton, PC, OC, QC was a Canadian Rhodes Scholar, politician and judge. Popularly known as E. Davie Fulton. He was born in Kamloops, British Columbia, the son of politician/lawyer Frederick John Fulton and Winnifred M. Davie, daughter of A.E.B. Davie...
, who had retired from federal politics to head the BC Progressive Conservative Party and chose Kamloops as his preferred entry to the Legislature.
in 1968 Gaglardi came under fire in the legislature over re-occurring allegations of preferred highway access to property owned by his sons, use of departmental facilities to provide sign material and construction to benefit their properties, and departmental work performed on his private property. He announced resigned in March 1968 after revelations of him having his daughter-in-law and grandson in the government jet. Bennett subsequently let it be known that Gaglardi had been fired. He continued in Cabinet as Minister without portfolio.
Minister of Social Welfare/Minister of Rehabilitation and Social Improvement
in 1969 Gaglardi was appointed to the social welfare portfolio which he renamed the Department of Rehabilitation and Social Improvement. He spoke publicly about "deadbeats", vowed to become "the roughest, toughest, most effective welfare minister the world has ever known", and created an agency to assist the indigent in getting jobs.During the 1972 provincial general election he predicted that Bennett would resign soon after winning the election, accused the premier of being "an old man who doesn't understand what is happening with the young people of this province", claimed the cabinet was "filled with square pegs in round holes", and stated "I'm the only real choice for the job." Gaglardi was defeated in the 1972 general election which the Socreds lost to the New Democratic Party.
Mayor of Kamloops
Phil Gaglardi served as mayor of Kamloops from 1988-1990. He led a fledgling municipal political party called Team Action whose candidates won a majority of the city council.After politics
After leaving politics he involved himself in the running of his son's Sandman InnsSandman Hotels
thumb|250px|Sandman Signature Hotel in Toronto.Sandman Hotel Group is a network of Canadian hotels and restaurant companies owned by the Northland Properties Corporation. Based in Vancouver, the company currently has 35 properties in six provinces under the brands Sandman Hotels, Inns & Suites and...
.
In 1978, he seriously considered running for the leadership of the federal Social Credit Party of Canada
Social Credit Party of Canada
The Social Credit Party of Canada was a conservative-populist political party in Canada that promoted social credit theories of monetary reform...
but withdrew after his demands for a jet plane and $1 million to fight the next federal election were rejected.
Gaglardi died on September 23, 1995.
Gaglardi Way, a major thoroughfare in Burnaby, British Columbia
Burnaby, British Columbia
Burnaby is a city in British Columbia, Canada, located immediately to the east of Vancouver. It is the third-largest city in British Columbia by population, surpassed only by nearby Surrey and Vancouver....
connecting the Trans-Canada Highway
Trans-Canada Highway
The Trans-Canada Highway is a federal-provincial highway system that joins the ten provinces of Canada. It is, along with the Trans-Siberian Highway and Australia's Highway 1, one of the world's longest national highways, with the main route spanning 8,030 km...
to Simon Fraser University
Simon Fraser University
Simon Fraser University is a Canadian public research university in British Columbia with its main campus on Burnaby Mountain in Burnaby, and satellite campuses in Vancouver and Surrey. The main campus in Burnaby, located from downtown Vancouver, was established in 1965 and has more than 34,000...
, is named for him.
A statue of Gaglardi was erected in Kamloops. The statue is lifesize at 5 foot 4 inches tall.
Quotes
- "Air pollution is the smell of money"
- "If I'm lying, it's only because I'm telling the truth"
- As a minister both of a church and of the crown, he noted that he saw his duty to keep the highways "in such shape that motorists will avoid the language which would deny them access to the highway to heaven"
- Speaking of unions, in 1959 in the Legislature: "We don't need any Hoffas or gansterism in this province".
- "They talk of Roman roads in Europe but they don't compare to Gaglardi roads in British Columbia."
External links and bibliography
- Mitchell, David J., WAC and The Rise of British Columbia, Vancouver/Toronto, 1983. ISBN 0-88894-395-4
- Rothenburger, Mel, Friend o' Mine, Orca Books, 1999. ISBN 0-88983-011-8
- Kamloops News article 2009-07-21, retrieved 2011-04
- St. Andrews on the Square - history
- Knowtheway.org "Testimony of Aunt Jennie"
- http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ClRyWvwVy_M/TRjEAbwOhjI/AAAAAAAABao/bTwot2OrKjM/s1600/Len+Norris+on+W.A.C.+Bennett+%2528Now+here%2527s+the+deal%2529.jpg cartoon] of Bennett, Phil Gaglardi, President Lyndon Johnson, and Prime Minister Lester Pearson by Len NorrisLen NorrisLeonard Matheson Norris, better known as Len Norris , was a longtime editorial cartoonist for the Canadian newspaper Vancouver Sun from 1950 to 1988...