Joy MacPhail
Encyclopedia
Joy MacPhail is a former Canadian politician in British Columbia
. A longtime member of the British Columbia New Democratic Party, she served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly
(MLA) from 1991 to 2005 and as a Minister of the Crown from 1993-1999, and 2000-2001.
MacPhail was born in Hamilton
, Ontario
, but lived in Vancouver
for almost two decades. She studied economics at the University of Western Ontario
, and later earned a degree in labour studies at the London School of Economics
. She has one son.
MacPhail was first elected to the British Columbia Legislature in 1991 as the MLA for Vancouver-Hastings
, and served in the cabinets of three NDP premiers
. Under Premier Mike Harcourt
, she served as Minister of Social Services from 1993 to 1996. Under Premier Glen Clark
she served a short stint as Minister of Social Services, then as Minister of Health from 1996 to 1998. MacPhail's final cabinet position in the Clark government was as Minister of Finance from 1998 to 1999, when she quit the Clark government at a time that it was suffering from increasing dissent and scandal.
When Clark eventually quit the NDP leadership, MacPhail ran for NDP leader, but did not attract significant legislative caucus support. She withdrew when it became obvious that Ujjal Dosanjh
had an insurmountable lead. Under Dosanjh, she was the Deputy Premier and served as Minister of Labour and later, Minister of Education.
The NDP suffered a massive electoral blow in the May 16, 2001 provincial election, winning only two seats, one of which was MacPhail's. Exactly one month later MacPhail was appointed as the party's interim leader
. She was a harsh critic of the new BC Liberal
Premier Gordon Campbell, often fueled by the Premier's refusal to grant MacPhail the status of Leader of the Official Opposition
on the basis of her party's tiny representation, despite the fact that she led the only other party in the legislature. MacPhail stepped down as leader in 2003 and was succeeded by Carole James
.
Following her departure from politics, MacPhail married film and television producer James Shavick
, and is currently a partner in his production firm Shavick Entertainment
. She is a member of the board of OUTtv
, a Canadian cable television station owned by Shavick Entertainment, and focused on the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities. She has also appeared as a member of political panels on "As It Happens
" on CBC Radio
.
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...
. A longtime member of the British Columbia New Democratic Party, she served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly
Member of the Legislative Assembly
A Member of the Legislative Assembly or a Member of the Legislature , is a representative elected by the voters of a constituency to the legislature or legislative assembly of a sub-national jurisdiction....
(MLA) from 1991 to 2005 and as a Minister of the Crown from 1993-1999, and 2000-2001.
MacPhail was born in Hamilton
Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, but lived 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,...
for almost two decades. She studied economics at the University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
, and later earned a degree in labour studies at the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
. She has one son.
MacPhail was first elected to the British Columbia Legislature in 1991 as the MLA for Vancouver-Hastings
Vancouver-Hastings
Vancouver-Hastings is a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Canada.- Demographics :- Member of Legislative Assembly :Its MLA is Shane Simpson. He was first elected in 2005...
, and served in the cabinets of three NDP premiers
Premier (Canada)
In Canada, a premier is the head of government of a province or territory. There are currently ten provincial premiers and three territorial premiers in Canada....
. Under Premier Mike Harcourt
Mike Harcourt
Michael Franklin Harcourt 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....
, she served as Minister of Social Services from 1993 to 1996. Under Premier 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:...
she served a short stint as Minister of Social Services, then as Minister of Health from 1996 to 1998. MacPhail's final cabinet position in the Clark government was as Minister of Finance from 1998 to 1999, when she quit the Clark government at a time that it was suffering from increasing dissent and scandal.
When Clark eventually quit the NDP leadership, MacPhail ran for NDP leader, but did not attract significant legislative caucus support. She withdrew when it became obvious that Ujjal Dosanjh
Ujjal Dosanjh
Ujjal Dev Singh Dosanjh, PC, QC, is a Sikh Canadian lawyer and politician. He served as 33rd Premier of British Columbia from 2000 to 2001 and as a Liberal Party of Canada Member of Parliament from 2004 to 2011 including a stint as Minister of Health from 2004 until 2006 when the party lost...
had an insurmountable lead. Under Dosanjh, she was the Deputy Premier and served as Minister of Labour and later, Minister of Education.
The NDP suffered a massive electoral blow in the May 16, 2001 provincial election, winning only two seats, one of which was MacPhail's. Exactly one month later MacPhail was appointed as the party's interim leader
Interim leader
An interim leader, in Canadian politics, is a party leader appointed by the party's legislative caucus or the party's executive to temporarily act as leader when a gap occurs between the resignation or death of a party leader and the election of a formal successor...
. She was a harsh critic of the new BC Liberal
British Columbia Liberal Party
The British Columbia Liberal Party is the governing political party in British Columbia, Canada. First elected for government in 1916, the party went into decline after 1952, with its rump caucus merging with the Social Credit Party for the 1975 election...
Premier Gordon Campbell, often fueled by the Premier's refusal to grant MacPhail the status of Leader of the Official Opposition
Leader of the Opposition (British Columbia)
The Leader of the Opposition in British Columbia is the MLA in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia who leads the political party recognized as the Official Opposition. This status generally goes to the leader of the second largest party in the Legislative Assembly....
on the basis of her party's tiny representation, despite the fact that she led the only other party in the legislature. MacPhail stepped down as leader in 2003 and was succeeded by Carole James
Carole James
Carole Alison James, MLA is a Canadian politician and former public administrator. She is the former Leader of the Opposition in British Columbia and former leader of the British Columbia New Democratic Party , a social democratic political party...
.
Following her departure from politics, MacPhail married film and television producer James Shavick
James Shavick
James Shavick is a Canadian film and television producer, currently the CEO of Shavick Entertainment. He is married to Joy MacPhail, a partner in Shavick Entertainment and a former leader of the British Columbia New Democratic Party.-External links:...
, and is currently a partner in his production firm Shavick Entertainment
Shavick Entertainment
Shavick Entertainment is a Canadian film and television production company. Owned and operated in Burnaby, British Columbia by James Shavick and his wife, former British Columbia politician Joy MacPhail, the company has primarily produced television films, as well as a few theatrical films and a...
. She is a member of the board of OUTtv
OUTtv
OUTtv is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel that airs entertainment and lifestyle programming for LGBT audiences.OUTtv's licensee is OUTtv Network Inc. which is 55.9% owned by Shavick Entertainment, 24.94% owned by Pink Triangle Press, 15% owned by Peace Point Entertainment...
, a Canadian cable television station owned by Shavick Entertainment, and focused on the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities. She has also appeared as a member of political panels on "As It Happens
As It Happens
As It Happens is a long-running interview show on CBC Radio One in Canada. Its 40th anniversary was celebrated on-air on 18 November 2008. It has been one of the most popular and acclaimed shows on CBC Radio; it is also distributed in the United States by Public Radio International.The bulk of the...
" on CBC Radio
CBC Radio
CBC Radio generally refers to the English-language radio operations of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The CBC operates a number of radio networks serving different audiences and programming niches, all of which are outlined below.-English:CBC Radio operates three English language...
.