I've always liked him and really like his leadership in the HST fight. He knows his stuff.
It's too bad his term in office was during BC's naive love affair with unions. He would've made a great Premiere in this time.
I honestly hope the guy runs for Prime Minister. If he didn't win he'd sure kick some political ass along the way.
I remember Vanderzalm achieved nationwide notoriety during the abortion debate. Supreme Court had just struck down Canada’s abortion law, prolife forces were in disarray, were dispirited. There was no prospect of another law being passed. Mulroney tried, but after a very bitter and contentious debate, it was defeated in the Senate, on a tie vote.
Anyway, there were several prolife Premiers around, I think Devine in Saskatchewan was one. Vanderzalm was another. Devine kept a low profile, he didn’t want to touch the issue, he knew it was a lost cause.
Not so Vanderzalm. While other prolifers saw uncrossable obstacles, Vanderzalm saw an opportunity. He twisted the Supreme court decision around, went through many convolutions, and actually came to the conclusion that Supreme Court had given him permission to ban all abortions.
Which he promptly proceeded to do. He banned all abortions in BC and thereby became the laughing stock of Canada. In due time of course courts overruled him, the whole exercise was ridiculous (and ludicrous). But it was great comedy, and it established his reputation as a clown, as a buffoon.
Evidently BC residents didn’t think much of him either, since he was forced to resign.
