Michael Harcourt
Encyclopedia
Michael Franklin Harcourt (born January 6, 1943) served as the 30th Premier
of the province of British Columbia
in Canada
from 1991 to 1996, and before that as the 34th mayor
of BC's major city, Vancouver
from 1980 to 1986.
Harcourt was Student Council president at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School
and studied at the University of British Columbia
where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws. Harcourt served as a Vancouver
Alderman from 1973 to 1980, and as Mayor of Vancouver from 1980 to 1986. As Mayor, his term in office was dominated by planning for Expo 86
, an event that saw many new developments come to the city.
He was first elected to the British Columbia Legislature in the 1986 British Columbia provincial election. He became the leader of the New Democratic Party of British Columbia
(NDP) and the Leader of the Official Opposition in the following year. He was considered to be a moderate within the ranks of his social democratic
party.
In the 1991 provincial election
, Harcourt led the NDP back to power, defeating the Social Credit party led by Rita Johnston
. This marked the second time that the NDP had ever been in power in BC, and the first since 1975.
Harcourt resigned as premier in February 1996 as the result of "Bingogate", a scandal in which an NDP member, David Stupich
, used money raised by a charity bingo to fund the party. While Harcourt had nothing to do with the scandal, he took political responsibility for it. He was succeeded as Premier of B.C. by Glen Clark
, who also ended up resigning as the result of another scandal.
After serving as premier, Harcourt became associated with the University of British Columbia
. He was involved in research relating to sustainable development and cities.
He was severely injured in a near-fatal fall at his cottage on Pender Island
in November 2002, which resulted in a severe spinal-cord injury. The former Premier received a widespread outpouring of sympathy and support from his fellow British Columbians and his rapid recovery astonished doctors. He spent several months at the world-renowned facility GF Strong. He later published a book about his ordeal, called Plan B.
He was named as a special advisor to Prime Minister
Paul Martin
on cities on December 12, 2003.
His latest book, City Making in Paradise, was released in August 2007. Simon Fraser University's City Program has a podcast of Harcourt's presentation about the book.
In November, 2007, he received an honorary doctoral degree in Law (LL.D) from UBC. In February, 2009 he was appointed Associate Director of the new UBC Continuing Studies Centre for Sustainability
, where he will contribute in the development of educational programs that emphasize practical knowledge in tackling climate change and other sustainability issues.
Premier of British Columbia
The Premier of British Columbia is the first minister, head of government, and de facto chief executive for the Canadian province of British Columbia. Until the early 1970s the title Prime Minister of British Columbia was often used...
of the province of British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
from 1991 to 1996, and before that as the 34th mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of BC's major city, Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
from 1980 to 1986.
Harcourt was Student Council president at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School
Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School (Vancouver)
Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School is named after the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Winston Churchill.Churchill Secondary is one of two International Baccalaureate schools and one of three French Immersion secondary schools in Vancouver.Churchill is fed by the surrounding...
and studied at the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws. Harcourt served as a Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
Alderman from 1973 to 1980, and as Mayor of Vancouver from 1980 to 1986. As Mayor, his term in office was dominated by planning for Expo 86
Expo 86
The 1986 World Exposition on Transportation and Communication, or simply Expo '86, was a World's Fair held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada from Friday, May 2 until Monday, October 13, 1986...
, an event that saw many new developments come to the city.
He was first elected to the British Columbia Legislature in the 1986 British Columbia provincial election. He became the leader of the New Democratic Party of British Columbia
New Democratic Party of British Columbia
The New Democratic Party of British Columbia is a social-democratic political party in British Columbia, Canada. The party currently forms the official opposition to the governing British Columbia Liberal Party following the 2009 provincial election in British Columbia.The BC NDP is the provincial...
(NDP) and the Leader of the Official Opposition in the following year. He was considered to be a moderate within the ranks of his social democratic
Social democracy
Social democracy is a political ideology of the center-left on the political spectrum. Social democracy is officially a form of evolutionary reformist socialism. It supports class collaboration as the course to achieve socialism...
party.
In the 1991 provincial election
British Columbia general election, 1991
The British Columbia general election of 1991 was the 35th provincial election in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. It was held to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The election was called on September 19, 1991, and held on October 17, 1991...
, Harcourt led the NDP back to power, defeating the Social Credit party led by Rita Johnston
Rita Johnston
Rita Margaret Johnston was a politician in British Columbia, Canada. Johnston became the first female premier in Canadian history when she succeeded William Vander Zalm in 1991 to become the 29th Premier of British Columbia.Much of her early life was spent running a successful trailer park in the...
. This marked the second time that the NDP had ever been in power in BC, and the first since 1975.
Harcourt resigned as premier in February 1996 as the result of "Bingogate", a scandal in which an NDP member, David Stupich
David Stupich
David Daniel Stupich was a member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia for most years from the 1960s to the 1980s, and a member of the Canadian House of Commons from 1988 to 1993. Stupich was born in Nanaimo, British Columbia to a coal miner.He served five years in the Royal Canadian...
, used money raised by a charity bingo to fund the party. While Harcourt had nothing to do with the scandal, he took political responsibility for it. He was succeeded as Premier of B.C. by Glen Clark
Glen Clark
Glen David Clark is a politician in British Columbia, Canada who served as the 31st Premier of British Columbia from 1996 to 1999.-Early life and education:...
, who also ended up resigning as the result of another scandal.
After serving as premier, Harcourt became associated with the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
. He was involved in research relating to sustainable development and cities.
He was severely injured in a near-fatal fall at his cottage on Pender Island
Pender Island
Pender Island is one of the Southern Gulf Islands located in the Gulf of Georgia, British Columbia, Canada. Pender Island is approximately in area and is home to about 2,500 permanent residents, as well as a large seasonal population...
in November 2002, which resulted in a severe spinal-cord injury. The former Premier received a widespread outpouring of sympathy and support from his fellow British Columbians and his rapid recovery astonished doctors. He spent several months at the world-renowned facility GF Strong. He later published a book about his ordeal, called Plan B.
He was named as a special advisor to Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Canada
The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution...
Paul Martin
Paul Martin
Paul Edgar Philippe Martin, PC , also known as Paul Martin, Jr. is a Canadian politician who was the 21st Prime Minister of Canada, as well as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada....
on cities on December 12, 2003.
His latest book, City Making in Paradise, was released in August 2007. Simon Fraser University's City Program has a podcast of Harcourt's presentation about the book.
In November, 2007, he received an honorary doctoral degree in Law (LL.D) from UBC. In February, 2009 he was appointed Associate Director of the new UBC Continuing Studies Centre for Sustainability
Centre for Sustainability
The Continuing Studies Centre for Sustainability is an educational organization at the University of British Columbia. The Centre’s aim is to bring academic and industry expertise to the wider community by providing sustainability education and training programs for individuals, organizations and...
, where he will contribute in the development of educational programs that emphasize practical knowledge in tackling climate change and other sustainability issues.