Lois Boone

Lois Ruth Boone (born April 26, 1947) is a Canadian politician. She served as MLA for Prince George North from 1986 to 1991, and Prince George-Mount Robson from 1991 to 2001, in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. She is a member of the British Columbia New Democratic Party.^[1]

Career

Helmet Law exemption controversy

Boone held a number of brief positions in the Executive Council of British Columbia, including Minister of Government Services, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and Minister of Transportation and Highways. In her role at the Ministry of Transportation and Highways, Boone used her ministry powers to change the landscape of BC's Helmet Law by issuing 5 exemptions not requiring approved protective headgear for potential life threatening incidents. The most contentious of these exemptions was to grant a motor-bike helmet exemption to "anybody wearing religious head-wear that makes compliance impossible".

At the time, Boone's support of the legislation was criticized as pandering to the large Sikh population in BC, and "bending to religious freedom". Boone was quoted as saying "I believe these exemptions are fair and progressive". Whilst some believe that it appeared at the time as though Boone was politically pressured, others believe that another agenda may have been at play. It was well known at the time that helmets save lives, although Boone was decisive in making an allowance for the Sikh community to forgo this life saving protection in the name sake of religion.

Boone's final roles in government included the Minister for Children and Families and Deputy Premier.

School trustee

After stepping down from provincial politics, Boone was re-elected as a school trustee for School District #57. In October 2010, she announced she would seek the NDP nomination in the by-election in the federal riding of Prince George-Peace River.

At the November 23, 2010 School District #57 public board meeting, she announced she would not be seeking renewal of her position as vice-chair of the board nor would she be seeking re-election as a trustee. She stated that her decision predated her decision to enter federal politics and was due to the unease she felt over being a part of so many school closure decisions and an unwillingness to continue to "do the government's dirty work".^[2]

Federal politics

On May 2, 2011, she was defeated by Conservative Party member, Bob Zimmer, in the federal Canadian election by 62% to 25%.

Partial electoral results

References