Bill Barlee

Bill Barlee
MLA for Boundary-Similkameen
In office 1986–1991 Serving with Ivan Messmer
Preceded by	Jim Hewitt
Succeeded by	riding dissolved
MLA for Okanagan-Boundary
In office 1991–1996
Preceded by	first member
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	1932 Grand Forks, British Columbia
Political party	New Democrat

Neville Langrell (Bill) Barlee^[1] (born 1932 in Grand Forks, British Columbia) is a Canadian politician who was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia as a New Democrat in 1988. 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 1996.

In 1999, Barlee was recruited by the Liberal Party of Canada and ran as the party's candidate in the district of Kootenay-Boundary-Okanagan in the 2000 federal general election, where he was defeated by a margin of just over 8000 votes by incumbent Canadian Alliance MP Jim Gouk.

Despite having served as an NDP cabinet minister, Barlee was able to build a number of positive relationships within the British Columbia Liberal Party which in turn contributed to his decision to run federally for the Liberal Party of Canada.

Barlee is best known for his TV show. Pieces from his collection were also used on his award winning television series Gold Trails and Ghost Towns, which ran from 1986 to 1996 on five different networks nationwide. The show is still seen in reruns.

Work

He has had a varied career as a high school teacher, writer, publisher, and placer miner. Over the past few decades he has carefully amassed an impressive collection of Old West artifacts. Parts of the Barlee collection, valued at more than $1 million, have been placed on display in the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Ottawa as well as in museums around the country.

During his time as Agriculture Minister, Barlee conceived of and implemented the successful Buy B.C. program, the logo of which can now be found on virtually all food products made or grown in B.C. Vancouver Sun columnist Denny Boyd credited Bill Barlee as being one of the best Tourism Ministers B.C. has ever had.

Awards and honours

Barlee has 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.

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 Boudary, 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).

References

1. ^ 1988 Legislative Session: 2nd Session, 34th Parliament

Persondata
Name	Barlee, Bill
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1932
Place of birth	Grand Forks, British Columbia
Date of death
Place of death