Introduction    
     

Ujjal Dosanjh: B.C.'s Indian-Born Premier

   
                                           
       

On February 19, 2000, political history was made in British Columbia when the New Democratic Party chose Ujjal Dosanjh to be its new leader, and as a result, for the first time in Canada, an Indo-Canadian became head of government in a provincial legislature. In fact, Ujjal Dosanjh is the first premier in Canadian history who comes from a visible minority group. In many ways, Dosanjh’s story is similar to that of many people from Canada’s immigrant population who arrive in Canada after a long and difficult journey, and through hard work, persistence, and determination achieve a level of success unlikely in their homeland. First elected to office in 1991 and then again in 1996, Dosanjh eventually was appointed to the high-profile office of Attorney General under Premier Glen Clark. In that position he proved to be tough on crime while still maintaining a strong position for civil and women’s rights. He continued to build a reputation for being a strong, outspoken leader with integrity and a politician able to avoid the kind of scandals that have been plaguing the NDP in recent years.
Since the party came to power nine years ago, it has had two premiers who have resigned under a cloud of controversy. The first of these controversies was the so-called “Bingogate” that led to the resignation of Mike Harcourt, although he was subsequently vindicated of any wrong-doing. Then Glen Clark was forced to step down when it was revealed that he was under criminal investigation by the RCMP for his alleged role in trying to influence the granting of a casino license to his neighbour. Prior to the recent leadership convention at which Dosanjh was chosen, a poll suggested that the NDP had only an 18 per cent approval rating with B.C. voters, and many delegates considered Dosanjh the only hope to raise the NDP’s lagging popularity and to hang onto power.
Inheriting the political burden of his predecessors, especially that of Glen Clark, Dosanjh is faced with a daunting task. However, he is no stranger to challenges and adversity. As an outspoken critic of Sikh separatist extremists, Dosanjh was the victim of a brutal attack in 1985, and more recently, his constituency office was fire-bombed. He has acknowledged the failings of the NDP but has appealed to party members to convince voters of the merit of the health-care and education polices of the NDP. He has also committed himself to cooling down the hot politics of British Columbia, admitting to B.C. voters, “You want less conflict and more co-operation in the Legislature.” According to one political analyst, Dosanjh inherits the leadership of a party that under Glen Clark lost its core support, especially that of environmentalists and social activists. And so as the new premier, Ujjal Dosanjh must be accountable on many levels. But for him, being the first Indo-Canadian premier is not enough. As he responded with some exasperation to one reporter in 1995 after being appointed to the B.C. cabinet as government services minister, “Can we get beyond colour to the real issues?” The real issues for Dosanjh involve pulling his battered party together before he must call an election.

Introduction
The Ethnic Question
A Troublesome Inheritance
An Experiential Education
The Visible Majority
Multiculturalism in Canada
Racial History in Canada
Discussion, Research, and Essay Questions

   

 

 

Comprehensive News in Review Study Modules
 
     

Using both the print and non-print material from various issues of News in Review, teachers and students can create comprehensive, thematic modules that are excellent for research purposes, independent assignments, and small group study. We recommend the stories indicated below for the universal issues they represent and for the archival and historic material they contain.

“Vander Zalm: A Question of Accountability,” May 1991
“Glen Clark: Mandate Squandered?” October 1999

 

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