The Dave Barrett Lecture

The Douglas Coldwell Layton Foundation for Social Democracy is launching the annual Dave Barrett Lecture at the University of Victoria, along with a scholarship in his name.

The inaugural lecture is Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at 5:30pm at Sngequ House at the University of Victoria.  

Just over 50 years ago, Dave Barrett become the first social democratic Premier of British Columbia and made an impact on the province that is still felt today. He led an innovative government whose many accomplishments are still a vital part of BC today, including the creation of the Labour Relations Board, the ICBC, the Agricultural Land Reserve, Pharmacare for seniors, rent controls and the introduction of Question Period in the BC Legislature – just to name a few.  

The theme of this year’s lecture is to explore Barrett’s “Innovation in Government” and will feature a moderated panel discussion which will include former BC Premier John Horgan, BC Attorney General Niki Sharma, former Deputy Premier Carole James, and former Cabinet Minister and Chair of Innovate BC Andrew Petter. The panel will explore the inside workings of the Barrett government, his record, his legacy, and his lasting impact on British Columbia and Canada.

The Dave Barrett Lecture is part the Foundation’s national lecture series that celebrates the contributions of social democrats from across Canada including the Jack Layton Lecture at McGill University and the David Lewis Lecture at the University of Toronto.  

LiUNA Local 1611 is the founding Sponsor of the Dave Barrett Lecture and the Dave Barrett Scholarship at University of Victoria.