Wally Oppal
Encyclopedia
Wallace Oppal, Q.C.
(born 1940 in Vancouver
, British Columbia
) is a Canadian
lawyer
, former judge
and provincial politician
, who is currently serving as the Chancellor of the Thompson Rivers University
. He was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
in 2005 as a BC Liberal MLA for the seat of Vancouver-Fraserview
.
Born in the Fraserview precinct of south Vancouver, Oppal is a graduate of the University of British Columbia Law School
and operated his own law practice before going to the Bench. He was appointed to the County Court of Vancouver in 1981 and to the Supreme Court of British Columbia
in 1985. In 2003, he was appointed to the British Columbia Court of Appeal
where he served until he resigned to seek election to the provincial legislature. He is the second Indo-Canadian Attorney-General of British Columbia.
Oppal served in the provincial cabinet as Attorney General of British Columbia
and Minister responsible for Multiculturalism
. He is also known as the author of a report: the Independent Commission of Inquiry into Policing in British Columbia (commonly referred to as the Oppal Inquiry).
Oppal announced in March 2007 that he was undergoing treatment for prostate cancer
. By the end of the month, Oppal was declared cancer free by his doctor.
For the 2009 provincial election
, Oppal switched to the riding of Delta South
. In initial results on election night, Oppal led in Delta South by a margin of just two votes over independent candidate Vicki Huntington
. On May 26, 2009, a recount revealed that Huntington had defeated Oppal by only 32 votes. A judicial recount on June 2 confirmed Huntington's victory.
Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
(born 1940 in 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,...
, 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...
) is a Canadian
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...
lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
, former judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
and provincial politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, who is currently serving as the Chancellor of the Thompson Rivers University
Thompson Rivers University
Thompson Rivers University is a comprehensive university located in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada. It offers students a broad range of courses, career streams, and the ability to ladder credits from diploma programs into full degrees...
. He was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia is one of two components of the Parliament of British Columbia, the provincial parliament ....
in 2005 as a BC Liberal MLA for the seat of Vancouver-Fraserview
Vancouver-Fraserview
Vancouver-Fraserview is a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Canada.- Demographics :- Geography :...
.
Born in the Fraserview precinct of south Vancouver, Oppal is a graduate of the University of British Columbia Law School
University of British Columbia Faculty of Law
The University of British Columbia Faculty of Law is one of the largest English language legal programs in Canada, with over 600 law students. The school offers a three-year Juris Doctor program and the graduate degrees of Master of Laws , Master of Jurisprudence and doctorate degrees...
and operated his own law practice before going to the Bench. He was appointed to the County Court of Vancouver in 1981 and to the Supreme Court of British Columbia
Supreme Court of British Columbia
The Supreme Court of British Columbia is the superior trial court for the province of British Columbia. The BCSC hears civil and criminal law cases as well as appeals from the Provincial Court of British Columbia. Including supernumerary judges, there are presently 108 judges...
in 1985. In 2003, he was appointed to the British Columbia Court of Appeal
British Columbia Court of Appeal
The British Columbia Court of Appeal is the highest appellate court in the province of British Columbia, Canada. The BCCA hears appeals from the Supreme Court of British Columbia and a number of boards and tribunals. The BCCA also hears criminal appeals from the Provincial Court of British...
where he served until he resigned to seek election to the provincial legislature. He is the second Indo-Canadian Attorney-General of British Columbia.
Oppal served in the provincial cabinet as Attorney General of British Columbia
Attorney General of British Columbia
The Ministry of the Attorney General of British Columbia is a provincial government department responsible for the oversight of the justice system within the province of British Columbia, Canada...
and Minister responsible for Multiculturalism
Multiculturalism in Canada
Multiculturalism in Canada was adopted as the official policy of the Canadian government during the prime ministership of Pierre Elliot Trudeau in the 1970s and 1980s. The Canadian government has often been described as the instigator of multiculturalism as an ideology because of its public...
. He is also known as the author of a report: the Independent Commission of Inquiry into Policing in British Columbia (commonly referred to as the Oppal Inquiry).
Oppal announced in March 2007 that he was undergoing treatment for prostate cancer
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, there are cases of aggressive prostate cancers. The cancer cells may metastasize from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly...
. By the end of the month, Oppal was declared cancer free by his doctor.
For the 2009 provincial election
British Columbia general election, 2009
The 39th British Columbia general election was held on May 12, 2009 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly in the Canadian province of British Columbia. The BC Liberal Party formed the government of the province prior to this general election under the leadership of Premier Gordon Campbell...
, Oppal switched to the riding of Delta South
Delta South
Delta South is a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Canada.- Member of Legislative Assembly :The current MLA for this riding is Vicki Huntington, the only Independent elected to the Assembly in the 2009 election....
. In initial results on election night, Oppal led in Delta South by a margin of just two votes over independent candidate Vicki Huntington
Vicki Huntington
Victoria Huntington is a Canadian politician who was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in 2009 as an Independent candidate for Delta South.-Political career:...
. On May 26, 2009, a recount revealed that Huntington had defeated Oppal by only 32 votes. A judicial recount on June 2 confirmed Huntington's victory.