Premier Christy Clark issued the following statement today on the passing of The Honourable Garde Basil Gardom, the 26th Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.

"Garde Gardom led a life all British Columbians can be proud of and want to aspire to. He embraced life, challenges and opportunity with equal gusto.

"As an MLA, cabinet minister, British Columbia's agent in London or the Queen's representative in British Columbia, Garde possessed a unique gift: the ability to draw people to him because they understood his dedication to public service was based on a true love of making life better for those he served.

"His CounterAttack against Drinking and Driving initiative saved countless lives throughout B.C.

"An iconoclast, Garde was an inspiration to a generation of those serving the public. His irreverent spirit ensured British Columbians never felt isolated, but rather an integral part of the process.

"His legacy to all who follow in his footsteps is simple: always enjoy the job of serving the public, because it's a privilege, and you can make a difference.

"For 45 years, his family shared Garde with us and British Columbia is a richer place because of that. We remain in their debt. Our thoughts and prayers are with them."

For those wishing to sign a condolence book, you can do so in three ways:

Online at www.protocol.gov.bc.ca

Or in person at Government House, 1401 Rockland Ave, Victoria or Christ Church Cathedral, 690 Burrard St, Vancouver

Flags at all government buildings will fly at half-mast from today till the funeral service.

Contacts:

Ben Chin
Office of the Premier
250 588-3113

Herb Leroy Gardom Family
250 213-1218

A backgrounder follows.

BACKGROUNDER

Garde Basil Gardom, Q.C., O.B.C.

The Honourable Garde Basil Gardom was born in Banff, Alberta on July 17, 1924. He attended school in Banff; Dewdney B.C.; Point Grey Junior High School, and Magee High School in Vancouver, and gained his BA and LLB degrees at the University of British Columbia. He pursued his career in Vancouver as a barrister and solicitor, and was elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in the constituency of Vancouver-Point Grey in the general elections of 1966, 1969, 1972, 1975, 1978, and 1983.

On Dec. 22, 1975, Mr. Gardom joined the Cabinet of British Columbia as Attorney General and Government House Leader - ultimately becoming the Province's longest-serving Government House Leader. In 1979 he became British Columbia's first Minister of Intergovernmental Relations, was Chairman of the Legislative Committee, Member of Treasury Board, Planning and Priorities Committee, Social Services Committee, Constitution Committee, Legislative Rules Committee and Director of the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia.

Mr. Gardom was an outspoken advocate for public accountability and participated in a number of legislative measures including the Ombudsman, Auditor General, Right to Sue the Crown, Expropriation, Criminal Injuries Compensation and Family Relations Statutes, the inception of Hansard, a broadened Legislative Committee system and the televising of debates.

He initiated CounterAttack against Drinking and Driving in 1978, promoted processes for the peaceful resolution of Doukhobor issues and spearheaded British Columbia's position during the Constitutional negotiations leading to the patriation of the Canadian Constitution from the U.K. in 1982.

In 1985, he became responsible for the Official Visits Program for EXPO '86, and was host to dignitaries from all over the world.

In 1987, after retiring from politics, Mr. Gardom was appointed Agent-General for British Columbia in the United Kingdom and Europe, based in London, where he proudly represented British Columbia in the U.K. and many European countries, until 1992.

Mr. Gardom was sworn-in on April 21st, 1995, as British Columbia's 26th Lieutenant-Governor. During his term as Lieutenant Governor he was appointed the Honorary Colonel of The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own), a Primary Reserve unit of the Canadian Forces.

Mr. Gardom married Miss Helen Eileen Mackenzie in 1956 and this union produced a family of five children and eleven grandchildren.