Siddhesh Joshi (Editor)

Bill Barlee

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Preceded by
  
Jim Hewitt

Premier
  
Michael Harcourt

Succeeded by
  
riding dissolved

Preceded by
  
Larry Chalmers


Preceded by
  
first member

Name
  
Bill Barlee

Succeeded by
  
Bill Barisoff

Role
  
Politician

Bill Barlee Bill Barlee was a genuine BC character who turned his love for the

Died
  
June 2012, Victoria, Canada

Party
  
British Columbia New Democratic Party

Bye to bill barlee gold trails and ghost towns


Neville Langrell (Bill) Barlee (October 15, 1932 – June 14, 2012) was a Canadian politician who was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia as a New Democrat in 1988. He served as Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food from 1991 until 1993 and then as Minister of Small Business, Tourism and Culture from 1993 until 1996.

Contents

Bill Barlee Illahie BIll Barlee 1932 2012

Barlee was also well known for his popular TV show on the history of Canada West which he co-hosted with Mike Roberts. This award-winning television series Gold Trails and Ghost Towns, ran from 1986 to 1996 on five different networks nationwide. The show is still seen in reruns.

Work

He had a varied career as a high school teacher, writer, publisher, and placer miner. He left teaching to write, publish and become a small businessman. His history magazine "Canada West" had faithful subscribers and his books included two best-sellers: "Gold Creeks and Ghost Towns" and the "Guide to Goldpanning". Over his life, he and his wife carefully amassed an impressive collection of Old West artifacts. Parts of the Barlee collection were placed on display in the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Ottawa as well as museums in British Columbia.

In 1988 Barlee was elected as an NDP MLA. When the NDP became government, he was appointed Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. During his time as Agriculture Minister, Barlee conceived of, and implemented the successful "Buy BC" program, to support BC farmers. The Buy BC logo can now be found on virtually all food products made or grown in B.C. He also served as Minister of Small Business, Tourism and Culture. Vancouver Sun columnist Denny Boyd credited Barlee as being one of the best Tourism Ministers B.C. has ever had.

Awards and honours

Barlee received a number of honours during his career including the "Golden Door" award from the BC and Yukon Hotel Association; the "Stellar Award" by the BC Restaurants and Food Services Association; and the "Visionary Award" from the BC Council of Tourism Associations.

Works

  • Barlee N.L. 1976 Historic Treasures and Lost Mines of British Columbia. Canada West Publications.
  • Barlee, N.L. The Pictograph Country: Similkameen. S.l., 1966. Re-released as Similkameen: The Pictograph Country, self-published chapbook, 1978. Re-released as Similkameen: The Pictograph Country (Surrey: Hancock, 1989).
  • Barlee, N.L. The Prospectors' and Collectors' Guide: Covering the Okanagan, Shuswap, Similkameen Boundary, South Thompson Areas. (n.d.)
  • Barlee, N.L. South Okanagan: The Sagebrush Country (Canada West, n.d.).
  • Barlee, N.L. Gold Creeks and Ghost Towns: East Kootenay, Boundary, West Kootenay, Okanagan and Similkameen (Canada West Magazine, 1970?; Canada West Publications, 1980; Hancock House, 1984).
  • Barlee, N.L. The Guide to Gold Panning in British Columbia Gold Regions, Methods of Mining, etc. (Summerland: N.L. Barlee, 1972, 1974; Summerland: Canada West, 1977; Victoria: Canada West Publications 1979, 1980; Blaine, WA: Big Country, 1984; Hancock House, 1993).
  • Barlee, N.L. (editor). The Best of Canada West (Langley: Stagecoach Publishing, 1978).
  • Barlee, N.L. West Kootenay: Ghost Town Country (Canada West Publications, 1984).
  • Barlee, N.L. Gold Creeks and Ghost Towns of Northeastern Washington (Barlee, 1988; Hancock House, 1999).
  • Barlee, N.L. Lost Mines and Historic Treasures (Hancock House, 1993).

    • References

    Bill Barlee Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA