July 04, 2012 - 4:38 PM
VANCOUVER - Bill Barlee, a former British Columbia cabinet minister who served in the NDP government during the 1990s, has died.
Barlee passed away June 14, following a life that spanned eight decades and included the careers of politician, teacher, author, television host and publisher.
Born in Grand Forks, B.C., in 1932, Barlee served as a member of the legislative assembly in the ridings of Boundary-Similkameen and Okanagan-Boundary between 1988 and 1996.
During that time, he served as ministers of agriculture, fisheries and food, and small business, tourism and culture.
In a statement issued today, Premier Christy Clark says she was saddened to hear of Barlee's passing and notes that as agriculture minister he implemented the Buy BC program, a logo that is now seen on almost every food product grown in the province.
After leaving provincial politics, Barlee ran unsuccessfully for the federal Liberals in the riding of Kootenay-Boundary-Okanagan in the 2000 election.
Besides politics, Barlee published a local history magazine, several books and co-hosted the popular TV series, "Gold Trails and Ghost Towns."
News from © The Canadian Press, 2012