The Pearson Centre for Progressive Policy

Progressive Dialogue and Policy for a Better Canada

IAN WADDELL: An Honourable Political Bon Vivant!

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March 18, 2021

IAN WADDELL: An Honourable Political Bon Vivant!

By Andrew Cardozo

So sad this week to mark the passing of Ian Waddell (on March 14, 2021), but so proud that he has been a Member of the Pearson Centre Advisory Board. What better compliment for our work than to have him be part of it. You see Ian started his political involvement as a volunteer with Lester B Pearson. He was a political bon vivant in the best sense of the word. He loved politics, he loved what it could do to help people’s lives and he engaged in politics with respect, determination and even humour. So sad to see you go Ian, so happy we had a chance to know you and be infected by your optimistic zest for life and making the world a better place!
Andrew Cardozo
President, Pearson Centre

Here are some comments from Pearson Centre members remembering him:

Celso Boscariol, Q.C.:
Ian and I met as adversaries in the 1993 Federal election. We quickly became friends during the course of that campaign and remained in contact since then. We shared an antipathy toward the Reform Party and its policies. Ian was in politics for all the right reasons.

Hon. Herb Breau;
I heard of Ian’s passing on Monday and I was surprised and saddened. He will be missed.
I first knew him in 1979 when he was elected. He was a very pragmatic person who always debated, discussed and operated in politics as though we should create more understanding and awareness, rather than our fixed views; if we are to arrive at better government.
I hope he remains an example for the political class.

Prof. Andrew Cohen
I was a young reporter with United Press International in the Parliamentary Press Gallery for four years when Ian was in Parliament. I thought he was funny, smart and like many other New Democrats, disproportionately influential. He and his colleagues worked harder and knew more than other MPs, who were placeholders and timeservers. Ian never was. He was prepared, conscientious and engaging. He liked reporters and we liked him. He was a member of a caucus which included Lorne Nystrom, Svend Robinson, Pauline Jewett, and the redoubtable Stanely Knowles, led by the extraordinary Ed Broadbent.
On the constitution, the big issue of the day, the NDP made a difference, as I think Herb will agree. It was a joy to cover that Parliament, the last of Pierre Trudeau’s governments, which patriated the BNA Act and entrenched the Charter of Rights, the single greatest act of nation-building in our history. Ian, an engine of ideas and enthusiasm, was at the centre of it all.

Hon. Sergio Marchi:
I served with Ian in the House for some 9 years. We were both in the Opposition during that time, so we saw eye to eye on many issues.
He was also lots of fun to be with. He had a great sense of humour and political mischief. On one parliamentary trip abroad, he brought his mom and she was a real live wire. First time I saw Ian playing second fiddle. The mom was clearly the boss!
Ian was a good soul. He was a progressive, and brought thoughtful views to the public discourse. He was also well liked on all sides of the political aisle.
May he now RIP

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Here is a short piece he wrote for us in January of this year when we asked four people from different parties to write about what they thought their parties need to do in the current session of Parliament.

THE NDP IN NEXT PARLIAMENT
by Ian Waddell, QC
(January 2021)

What policies should NDP focus on in year ahead? What are the political advantages or challenges my party faces?

Before I even attempt an answer let me offer an insight into the thinking of a federal NDP member and voter. “The base” as they now call it. Yes “federal” because provincially, especially here in British Columbia where I live, the NDP focuses on winning government and thus tempers its policies to win elections (result, centre-left). Federally the NDP thrives on policy. They have a record of advancing what at the time were thought of as radical policies which eventually became law. (usually implemented by Liberal governments) Examples would be medicare, old age pensions, unemployment insurance, a government oil company, and others.

Modern Canada is facing a number of issues. Here’s two. First is the growing gap between the rich and the rest. The other is climate change. So, what are the new policies to tackle these issues. The biggest could be a guaranteed annual income for every Canadian. Canadians were introduced to the idea through the CERB grants experience. Jagmeet Singh as leader showed himself as a good debater in the last election campaign. I expect a spring election this year. Singh should present a thought out version of a guaranteed annual income covering all Canadians as a priority.

The other issue, probably the big election issue if the Liberals and the Greens have their way, is climate change. Here too the NDP has an important and even distinct voice, {disclosure I was Environment and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister in B.C.} The NDP acknowledges that we, like the world, are transitioning away from carbon fueled economy. But, we never forget the late Jack Layton’s words that nobody should be left behind. We agree with other parties on climate change on the need for environmental justice and economic justice but we add a third “justice”. Call it social justice. Working people have to be helped through the transition as, for example, the oil industry changes. Some of the policies on transitioning from coal advocated by Previous NDP Premier of Alberta, Rachel Notley, deserve a look.

Finally, health care has always been an NDP strong point. So, look for the NDP to talk about dentalcare and pharmacare to round out a march to full medicare.

There are political advantages here to as these policies are popular. But also some can be tough sells. The danger for the NDP in an election campaign is some of their supporters slip to the Liberals to stop a feared for Conservative government, seeing a return to Harper era policies or others go Green seeing a more “radical” environment policy. But, with a platform built on new ideas and focusing on justice that won’t leave working people behind the federal NPD can retain their base and even add to it.

Ian Waddell Q.C. was an M.P for Vancouver Kingsway and Port Moody/Coquitlam, an urban and then a suburban riding, for 15 years and later Minister of Tourism, Small Business and Culture, Environment and Intergovernmental Affairs in the NDP Government of British Columbia.