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The four-year MP and one-year MLA were instrumental in increasing the BC film tax credit and securing the 2010 Vancouver Olympics

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Katie DeRosa Ian Waddell in 2004. Ian Waddell in 2004. Photo by Ian Smith /.Vancouver Sun.

Ian Waddell, a former provincial cabinet minister who helped BC bid for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, has passed away at the age of 78.

Waddell, who offered condolences after four terms as NDP MP and one term as MLA, made a name for himself in Vancouver’s film industry as a lawyer, film producer and writer.

Waddell died at home Monday night. No cause of death was disclosed.

“I am saddened by the death of Ian Waddell,” said Prime Minister John Horgan, who said Waddell was the first to welcome him to Parliament Hill when Horgan was a legislative assistant 35 years ago.

“Everything he did he approached with passion and a desire to make progress for the people,” said Horgan.

Waddell was selected as an NDP MLA in 1996 when he narrowly won the Vancouver-Fraserview riding. Former Prime Minister Glen Clark told Postmedia News on Tuesday that Waddell was his natural choice for Minister of Tourism and Culture in 1998 due to his energetic boost for the province.

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“He had a big, shameless, upbeat personality,” said Clark, who was Waddell’s campaign manager when he was first elected MP for Vancouver Kingsway in 1979. He’s a booster. He loved seeing Canada and British Columbia positively. “

Waddell convinced Clark that the province was lagging behind other jurisdictions in attracting film and production companies and increased the tax credit on films dramatically, which helped fuel a billion dollar industry in BC

Clark didn’t know how Waddell died, but said he was shocked to learn of his death. Waddell’s sociable personality made him a perfect master of ceremonies at Clark’s wedding in 1980.

On Sunday, Waddell posted a photo on Twitter from his balcony in Vancouver with the caption, “The view from my deck today as the blooms begin. See Stanley Park in the distance and the rest of Canada over the coastal mountains. Paradise.”

Horgan said Waddell’s innumerable accomplishments are in bringing the provincial film industry “to the thriving Hollywood north it is today and instrumental in getting the 2010 Vancouver Olympics off the ground. A defender of our environment, an accomplished writer and lawyer, he has worked at every opportunity to improve the lives of young people. “

While serving as Secretary of State for Culture, Waddell helped introduce tax credits that attracted Hollywood producers to BC and paved the way for the region to become Hollywood North.

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“We are very sad to hear the news of Ian’s death,” said a statement shared Tuesday by Creative BC spokeswoman Lisa Escudero on behalf of the organization. “He was a passionate supporter of the British Columbia film industry and will be missed by many. Condolences to friends and family on behalf of Creative BC. “

Health Minister Adrian Dix said Tuesday he was mourning a friend, former boss and colleague.

“This is a huge loss in our life,” he said. “When I think of Ian, I think of him with a smile. He had an energy for life. “

Dix was an adjutant to Waddell as MP and worked on Waddell’s unsuccessful offer to lead the federal NDP in 1989 after Ed Broadbent’s resignation. Dix also worked for Clark when Waddell was in the provincial cabinet.

Dix said Waddell was instrumental in getting Vancouver to host the 2010 Winter Olympics over Calgary and Quebec City.

Waddell’s career in provincial politics followed a 14-year career as a MP. Waddell was an NDP MP for Vancouver Kingsway from 1979 to 1989 and then represented the riding of Port Moody-Coquitlam until 1993. During his time in Ottawa, Waddell was instrumental in drafting Section 35 of the Canadian Charter of Rights, which governs contractual rights have been confirmed by Canadian indigenous peoples.

Waddell’s lifelong mentor was Judge Thomas Berger. Waddell assisted Berger in investigating the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline in 1974, which prevented construction of the pipeline through the Northwest Territories. Waddell’s work on the investigation shaped many of his views on indigenous rights, the environment, and responsible development, Dix said.

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Out of politics, Waddell made a documentary on Why Young People Don’t Vote, which won the Beverly Hills Best Producer Award Movie Festival. Waddell was also President of the Association of Former Members of Parliament Foundation and President of the former British Columbia MLAs.

In his book Take the Torch, Waddell reflects on his experience as a window attorney, his involvement in the Berger investigation, and his long political career. Silas White, president of Nightwood Editions, which published Waddell’s book, said the publisher was “shocked and saddened” at the news of Waddell’s death.

“Ian will also be remembered by everyone who has met him for his uninterrupted energy, enthusiasm, generosity and vitality,” said White. “His lifelong love was for life itself, which he demonstrated faster than ever in the past few days as he refined his home exercise routine and planned to write a book on senior fitness – although I’m sure he will never really decided to be a senior. “

kderosa@postmedia.com
Twitter.com/katiederosayyj

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