IAN WADDELL

IAN WADDELL Ian Waddell loved his life! He loved his long and productive political career, his eclectic group of both new and lifelong friends, his travels, creative projects and his home in Kitsilano. He lived fully with enthusiasm and energy. Ian was a storyteller, a raconteur extraordinaire! He would share the details of his accomplishments and adventures with the skills of a great entertainer. Proud of his Scottish heritage, he would explain he was born in Glasgow, Scotland and at age five, his family immigrated to Canada. He grew up in Etobicoke, Ontario with solid values, a respect for humanity and a love of learning. Ian earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto, then his teaching diploma from the Ontario College of Education. He spent some time teaching at Western Tech in Toronto before returning to U of T to study law. He graduated with an LLB in 1967 and then, at the London School of Economics he earned a Master's degree in international law. Laughing, Ian would tell how his political career began as a Liberal, driving Lester Pearson to campaign events. Soon after, Ian moved to BC where he headed up a community law office established by Mike Harcourt in Vancouver's Downtown East Side. He would certainly mention serving as Special Counsel to Judge Tom Berger, head of the historic Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Inquiry, adding they remained friends for life. Ian was elected to Parliament in 1979, in the caucus led by Ed Broadbent which included such lifelong friends as Jim Fulton, Svend Robinson, Bob Rae and Bill Blaikie. Stephen Lewis, the Ontario NDP Leader throughout the 70's and future Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations always inspired Ian. They stayed in touch throughout the years and whenever Ian was in Toronto the two of them would meet for lunch. Their lively exchange of ideas and information would always energize them both. For 14 years, Ian served as the New Democratic Party's MP, first for Vancouver-Kingsway and then for Port Moody-Coquitlam. He often said the political achievement for which he was most proud, was the key role he played in the adoption of the landmark section 35 of the 1981 Constitution recognizing aboriginal and treaty rights. Ian would pepper his political stories with wonderful details about his international travels which included sitting with Yasser Arafat in Baghdad, meeting with the son of Deng Xiaoping from China and visiting Japan to honour the Japanese survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In 1989 Ian ran for the federal NDP leadership and in 1996, he was elected as the MLA for Vancouver-Fraserview. After chairing the Committee reviewing the landmark Nisga'a Treaty, Ian was appointed Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture by Premier Glen Clark - a perfect appointment for such a great lover of the arts! He shared that he took the call confirming his appointment while on the slopes of Whistler. He finished his run, grabbed a beer and immediately began polling international travellers for their input on how to improve BC's destination profile - typical Ian! He could offer up countless animated anecdotes about his tireless promotion for the growth of BC's film industry and how he succeeded in securing BC's future as 'Hollywood North'. An enthusiastic adventure traveller, Ian would describe some of his personal trips. Meditating at an ashram in India, scuba diving in East Timor, catching the Rolling Stones concert in Cuba, even warding off hippos on a river in Zimbabwe - Ian was eager to experience it all! And yet, as much as he loved these unique trips, Ian was equally happy simply walking a Vancouver beach with his much-loved golden retriever, Frankie or indulging in an afternoon round of golf with his brother, Al. Ian celebrated his success in helping Vancouver secure the 2010 Winter Olympics by driving through the city in his vintage 1964 Valiant (known as the 'Red Shark'), waving his Olympic red mittens wildly! While recently recalling being appointed by Premier Ujjal Dosanjh as Environment Minister, Ian would point to his new Tesla with grinning pride. Following his respected service in elected office, Ian returned to his first love, the law. He was appointed Queen's Counsel in 2013, the highest honour for a member of the BC legal profession. Famous for juggling multiple projects, Ian went on to produced an award-winning documentary, 'The Drop: Why Young People Don't Vote', and to write both a mystery novel ('A Thirst to Die For') and a political memoir ('Take the Torch'). He never seemed to slow down. Every Robbie Burns Day, Ian would honor his Scottish roots by kicking up his kilt at the Scottish Heritage Centre and he celebrated many a New Year's Eve partying and dancing until dawn in Havana with his Canadian and Cuban friends. Ian would often unwind from a hectic day at the memorial bench he and his brother dedicated to their Father, Jack and beloved Mother, Isabel. He loved to sit there. Sometimes he would smoke a cigar as he relaxed with their memory. Ian's final story was short and delivered from his second storey deck. He described the beautiful city view he was enjoying, the optimistic tree buds and early blooms. He simply left us with his final word: 'Paradise!' Ian Gardiner Waddell died gently of a pre-existing heart condition, on the evening of March 14, 2021. He is survived by brother Alistair (Al), cousin Beverly Whyfon, special friend Sharon Olsen and her family and so very many friends around the world. A Celebration of Ian's wonderful life will be held at a later date when COVID restrictions allow. Please visit Ian's website: www.ianwaddell.ca and leave your name and email address so we can send you an invitation to this event.