Friday December 13, 2024 | VICTORIA, BC [Posted at 9:34 am | Updated 12:13 pm]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Former BC NDP MLA Dan Coulter has passed away. He was 49 years old (1975-2024).
In the recent October 2024 BC provincial election, Coulter ran for a second term in the new riding of Chilliwack North but did not win. The Conservative candidate won by a notable margin.
“It is with heavy hearts that we acknowledge the loss of Dan Coulter, a devoted advocate for the people of British Columbia, a passionate voice for inclusivity and justice, and a cherished member of the BC NDP family,” said the BC NDP in a post online this morning around 9:30 am. the party’s news release on Coulter’s passing was issued at 9 am to media.
“British Columbia has lost an incredible advocate and a fighter for justice in the passing of Dan Coulter. We will keep Dan and his family in our hearts and remember him in the work that we do,” said Premier David Eby in a statement this morning.
Yesterday Eby was emotional for a moment over the recent health changes of his team, during a media announcement about incentives for the film industry. MLA Grace Lore has stepped away from her ministerial role to undergo cancer treatments. The provincial statement memorial for the late former premier John Horgan will be held on Sunday upcoming (December 15).
This morning Deputy Premier Niki Sharma said ahead of a media announcement about the BC NDP-BC Green Agreement announcement that she wanted to “acknowledge the loss that we as an NDP family are feeling right now with the loss of Dan Coulter”, and she sends her condolences to his family. “He was a good friend and we will all feel that loss for a long time,” said Sharma.
Background:
Coulter had suddenly fallen ill last week and family was called to his side. He had been preparing to be the BC NDP Provincial party director.
Dan Coulter was elected as the MLA for Chilliwack in 2020. He served as the Minister of State for Infrastructure and Transit.
While a trustee on the Chilliwack Board of Education from 2013-2020 (and acting as Chair from 2018-2020), Dan was a strong advocate for improvements to the public education system. As former president of CUPE 3787 and a millwright who was severely injured in a workplace accident in 1999, he believes people have the right to safe working conditions.
Dan served on the Mayor’s Task Force on Inclusion, Diversity and Accessibility. He is passionate about the rehabilitation of youth in the Criminal Justice System and was a Director for the Chilliwack Restorative Justice Society.
Dan lived in Chilliwack with his partner, Rebecca, and their dogs Spencer and Anna-Bella.
Public service in January:
A private service for Dan Coulter will be held tomorrow, December 14. A local public service will be held in Chilliwack on January 11, 2025.
In lieu of lowers, the family has asked for donations to the Chilliwack Restorative Justice and Youth Advocacy Association, or the Chilliwack Bowls of Hope Society, or the BC SPCA.
===== RELATED:
- Public tickets now available for provincial state memorial for John Horgan (December 9, 2024)
- Incoming BC NDP provincial director Dan Coulter suffers health emergency (December 7, 2024)
- Grace Lore stepping aside from role as MCFD minister (December 5, 2024)
- POLITICS | BC NDP