Former B.C. senator, MP and journalist Pat Carney dead at 88

Pat Carney, who pioneered roles for women in Canadian politics and journalism, is being remembered as a problem-solver, a ground-breaker, a feminist and a friend.

The former MP and senator died Wednesday night at age 88, her niece, Jill Carney, confirmed in a statement.

Carney's life included a long list of female firsts. She was the first woman Conservative member of Parliament elected in B.C. and the first woman from B.C. to be appointed to the Senate.

Her website says she began her journalism career in the 1960s and was the first female business columnist writing for daily newspapers in B.C., including the Vancouver Sun and Vancouver Province.

It says Carney was also the first woman in every government portfolio she held, serving as the minister of energy, minister of international trade and president of the Treasury Board in Brian Mulroney's cabinet.

'Kind, generous, wise'

Politicians and those who she helped recalled her tenacity, leadership and "immense contributions" that left an indelible mark on Canada and, specifically, British Columbia.

Many sang Carney's praises on social media.

Senator Donna Dasko said Carney was a firm advocate of women's equality and one of the most forceful women she has ever met.

Former Liberal MP and justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould said she was saddened to hear of Carney's death, calling her a "kind, generous and wise leader."

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May said she's heartbroken over the loss of the "extraordinary woman," mentor, friend, feminist and great Canadian.

"Such an honour to know her. I will miss her so very much."

The Dr. Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden posted that it mourns the loss of an exceptional leader while it celebrates the immense contributions she made to the city of Vancouver.

It noted that as the MP for Vancouver Centre, Carney was instrumental in getting federal funding for the initial phase of construction for the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden, at the time, the only classical Chinese garden outside China.

A storied career

Patricia Carney was born on May 26, 1935, in Shanghai, where her father was a policeman. She was raised in the Kootenays in B.C. and attended Nelson High School.

During her studies at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Carney worked as a news editor for the university's student newspaper, The Ubyssey, from 1952 to 1955. Carney graduated with a degree in political science and economics and a master's in community and regional planning, also from UBC.

She was first elected to the House of Commons in 1980 in the riding of Vancouver Centre, serving two terms before retiring in 1988. 

Carney was appointed to the Senate in 1990 and retired in 2008. She was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2011.

In her political career, she also served as opposition critic on the mining and finance files before her turn in Mulroney's cabinet.

Carney was a mother of two and lived on Saturna Island, one of B.C.'s Gulf Islands, at the time of her death.

Carney is well remembered for being the trade minister when Canada and the U.S. signed the historic Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement in 1987.

As a senator, she championed numerous causes — including those of women in politics and the preservation of B.C.'s coastline.

Her efforts led to the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act in 2008, which resulted in the preservation of 106 coastal lighthouses as of December 2021.

Later in her life, she also authored two books. The first, Trade Secrets, was a memoir published in 2000. On Island: Life Among the Coast Dwellers, on the other hand, was a short story collection released in 2017.

A problem-solver

Former Conservative MP John Reynolds said in an interview on Thursday that Carney was highly intelligent and was able to work with people to accomplish many goals both in Parliament and the Senate.

"She was a great lady, really was great for British Columbia. She always did a good job in things we needed to get done in our province."

Reynolds, 82, said Carney was exceptional when someone had a problem, and he often referred people to her if they needed help.

"She would never be afraid to pick up the phone and say, 'Hey, let's get this done,'" he said. "She was very, very good. She always followed through.''

Gerry St. Germain, a former Conservative colleague of Carney's who served in Parliament and the Senate with her, described her as a "brilliant woman" who delivered on multiple occasions.

"I'm the father of two daughters," he said in an interview with CBC News. "I saw [Carney] leading a battle ... for women to be recognized in politics and in the business world in general.

"Her initiative, the work she did, I think, opened the door for many young women right across the world."

St. Germain said he didn't agree with everything Carney did, and she took "aggressive, strong positions" on many issues — but she also had a side of kindness.