Bill Barlee

Bill Barlee
Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly for Okanagan-Boundary Boundary-Similkameen (1988-1991)
In office June 8, 1988 – May 28, 1996 Serving with Ivan Messmer (1986-1991)
Preceded by	Jim Hewitt
Succeeded by	Bill Barisoff
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of British Columbia
In office November 5, 1991 – September 15, 1993
Premier	Michael Harcourt
Preceded by	Larry Chalmers
Succeeded by	David Zirnhelt
Minister of Small Business, Tourism and Culture of British Columbia
In office September 15, 1993 – June 17, 1996
Premier	Michael Harcourt Glen Clark
Preceded by	David Zirnhelt
Succeeded by	Penny Priddy
Personal details
Born	Neville Langrell Barlee (1932-10-06)October 6, 1932 Grand Forks, British Columbia, Canada
Died	June 14, 2012(2012-06-14) (aged 79) Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Political party	British Columbia New Democratic Party Liberal Party of Canada

Neville Langrell "Bill" Barlee (October 6, 1932 – June 14, 2012) was a Canadian politician who was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia as a New Democrat in 1988 (after unsuccessfully running in the 1969 and 1972 provincial elections). He served as Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food from 1991 until 1993 and then as Minister of Small Business, Tourism and Culture from 1993 until his defeat in the 1996 provincial election.

Barlee was also well known for his popular TV show on the history of Canada West which he co-hosted with Mike Roberts. This award-winning television series Gold Trails and Ghost Towns, ran from 1986 to 1996 on five different networks nationwide. The show is still seen in reruns.

Work

He had a varied career as a high school teacher, writer, publisher, and placer miner. He left teaching to write, publish and become a small businessman. His history magazine "Canada West" had faithful subscribers and his books included two best-sellers: "Gold Creeks and Ghost Towns" and the "Guide to Goldpanning". Over his life, he and his wife carefully amassed an impressive collection of Old West artifacts. Parts of the Barlee collection were placed on display in the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Ottawa as well as museums in British Columbia.

In 1988 Barlee was elected as an NDP MLA. When the NDP became government, he was appointed Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. During his time as Agriculture Minister, Barlee conceived of, and implemented the successful "Buy BC" program, to support BC farmers. The Buy BC logo can now be found on virtually all food products made or grown in B.C. He also served as Minister of Small Business, Tourism and Culture. Vancouver Sun columnist Denny Boyd credited Barlee as being one of the best Tourism Ministers B.C. has ever had.

Awards and honours

Barlee received a number of honours during his career including the "Golden Door" award from the BC and Yukon Hotel Association; the "Stellar Award" by the BC Restaurants and Food Services Association; and the "Visionary Award" from the BC Council of Tourism Associations. Barlee was also awarded the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002.

Election results

2000 Canadian federal election
Party	Candidate	Votes	%	±%	Expenditures
	Alliance	Jim Gouk	19,386	46.69	-0.09	$42,724
	Liberal	Bill Barlee	11,357	27.35	+9.88	$32,709
	New Democratic	Don Scarlett	4,091	9.85	-12.04	$7,473
	Green	Andrew Shadrack	2,689	6.47	+0.42	$14,652
	Progressive Conservative	Michele Elise Duncan	2,147	5.17	-0.39	$3,532
	Marijuana	Dan Loehndorf	889	2.14	–	$978
	Canadian Action	Bev Collins	762	1.84	+0.91	$3,220
	Natural Law	Annie Holtby	191	0.46	±0	$886
Total valid votes			41,512	100.0
Total rejected ballots			238	0.57
Turnout			41,750	64.86
	Alliance hold		Swing		-4.98
Change for the Canadian Alliance is based on the Reform Party.

1988 By-Election: Boundary-Similkameen

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	New Democratic	Bill Barlee	15,778	52.82
	Social Credit	Russ Fox	10,585	35.44
	Liberal	Judi Tyabji	3,144	10.53
	Green	Rus Domer	361	1.21
Total Valid Votes			29,868	100.00
Total rejected ballots			87

Works

• Barlee N.L. 1976 Historic Treasures and Lost Mines of British Columbia. Canada West Publications.
• Barlee, N.L. The Pictograph Country: Similkameen. S.l., 1966. Re-released as Similkameen: The Pictograph Country, self-published chapbook, 1978. Re-released as Similkameen: The Pictograph Country (Surrey: Hancock, 1989).
• Barlee, N.L. The Prospectors' and Collectors' Guide: Covering the Okanagan, Shuswap, Similkameen Boundary, South Thompson Areas. (n.d.)
• Barlee, N.L. South Okanagan: The Sagebrush Country (Canada West, n.d.).
• Barlee, N.L. Gold Creeks and Ghost Towns: East Kootenay, Boundary, West Kootenay, Okanagan and Similkameen (Canada West Magazine, 1970?; Canada West Publications, 1980; Hancock House, 1984).
• Barlee, N.L. The Guide to Gold Panning in British Columbia Gold Regions, Methods of Mining, etc (Summerland: N.L. Barlee, 1972, 1974; Summerland: Canada West, 1977; Victoria: Canada West Publications 1979, 1980; Blaine, WA: Big Country, 1984; Hancock House, 1993).
• Barlee, N.L. (editor). The Best of Canada West (Langley: Stagecoach Publishing, 1978).
• Barlee, N.L. West Kootenay: Ghost Town Country (Canada West Publications, 1984).
• Barlee, N.L. Gold Creeks and Ghost Towns of Northeastern Washington (Barlee, 1988; Hancock House, 1999).
• Barlee, N.L. Lost Mines and Historic Treasures (Hancock House, 1993).