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- calendar_today October 9, 2026
Legacy of Colin Gablemann, Former B.C. Attorney General
Colin Gablemann, the transformative former attorney general of British Columbia, has died at the age of 82. Gablemann is being remembered for his pivotal role in establishing some of the province’s most important modern legislative reforms, including the creation of freedom of information laws and advancing the recognition of Indigenous rights.
Champion for Legal Reform and Open Government
Gablemann’s tenure as attorney general marked a turning point in British Columbia politics. He was instrumental in passing the province's freedom of information legislation, which set new standards for government transparency. This law established processes for public access to government records, a significant step towards open and accountable governance.
His legislative agenda also included measures such as legislation to lower the voting age to 18 and introducing graduated licensing for new drivers, broadening youth participation and safety in civic life.
An Advocate for Indigenous Rights in British Columbia
One of Gablemann’s most notable achievements was ending the provincial government’s policy that Aboriginal rights in British Columbia had been extinguished. As attorney general, he recognized that not only was the previous approach legally untenable, but it was also morally wrong. In a 2018 interview with the B.C. Labour Heritage Centre, Gablemann described this policy shift as "the most significant thing I’ve ever done in politics." This decision has had a lasting impact on the government’s relationship with Indigenous peoples in the province.
A Lifelong Commitment to the Labour Movement and Political Reform
Born in London, England, in 1944, Gablemann moved to Canada as a child and grew up immersed in B.C.’s labour movement. His political career began as a founding member of the New Democratic Party (NDP) in British Columbia. He was first elected as an MLA for North Vancouver-Seymour in 1972, during the NDP’s historic rise under Dave Barrett.
As a backbencher, Gablemann showed his independence by voting against parts of his own party’s labour code that were seen by the B.C. Federation of Labour as too restrictive of picketing rights. In opposition, he fought vigorously against changes to the Labour Code introduced by the Social Credit government in 1987.
Key Contributions in the Cabinet of the Mike Harcourt Government
Later elected as MLA for the North Island, Gablemann joined Premier Mike Harcourt’s government and was appointed attorney general, an unusual move given he did not hold a law degree. His leadership was seen as integral to the government’s ambitious reform agenda, which included overseeing legal services, the criminal justice system, and policing reforms in the province.
Among his notable contributions was the appointment of an inquiry that led to the creation of the Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner, providing a new channel for police oversight and accountability in British Columbia.
Honoring a Respected and Principled Leader
Colleagues and friends regarded Gablemann as principled, respectful, and a unifying figure in often-polarized debates. Former B.C. privacy commissioner Michael McAvoy described him as someone who pursued change in a principled manner, engaged in debate without animosity, and brought people together even amid disagreement.
Gablemann stepped down in 1996, leaving a legacy that continues to shape British Columbia’s laws and society. Widely respected across party lines, he is remembered for both his transformative reforms and his commitment to doing politics "the right way." Colin Gablemann’s work in legal reform, support of the labour movement, and advocacy for Indigenous rights will continue to influence the province well into the future.
Source: cbc.ca.
