Joy MacPhail

Joy MacPhail is a former Canadian politician in British Columbia. A longtime member of the New Democratic Party of British Columbia, 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.

As of August 2006, MacPhail has been mentioned as a possible Vision Vancouver candidate for Mayor of Vancouver. [http://www.publiceyeonline.com/archives/001701.html]

The Canadian Press incorrectly reported in 2005 that she is the great-granddaughter of Agnes MacPhail, the first woman ever elected to the Canadian Parliament. In fact, Agnes MacPhail never married nor had children.

External links

* [http://www.leg.bc.ca/mla/37thparl/macphail.htm Profile on BC Legislature]
* [http://www.vancouvertelevision.com/topnews.jsp?id=/news/stories/2005/01/news-20050130-03.htm MacPhail says Goodbye to Riding]