Colin Gabelmann

Colin Gabelmann
Gabelmann in 1993
Minister of Government Services and Minister Responsible for Sports of British Columbia
In office
August 16, 1995 – February 22, 1996
PremierMike Harcourt
Preceded byUjjal Dosanjh
Succeeded byPositions abolished
Attorney General of British Columbia
In office
November 5, 1991 – August 16, 1995
PremierMike Harcourt
Preceded byRussell Fraser
Succeeded byUjjal Dosanjh
Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly
for North Island
In office
May 10, 1979 – May 28, 1996
Preceded byRiding established
Succeeded byGlenn Robertson
Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly
for North Vancouver-Seymour
In office
August 30, 1972 – December 11, 1975
Preceded byBarrie Clark
Succeeded byJack Davis
Personal details
Born(1944-02-11)February 11, 1944
London, England
DiedOctober 3, 2026(2026-10-03) (aged 82)
Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada
PartyNew Democratic
SpouseRobin Geary

Colin Stuart Gabelmann (February 11, 1944 – October 3, 2026) was a Canadian politician in British Columbia. He represented North Vancouver-Seymour from 1972 to 1975 and North Island from 1979 to 1996 in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia as a New Democratic Party (NDP) member, and served as cabinet minister under Premier Mike Harcourt.

Early life

Gabelmann was born in London, England on February 11, 1944, the son of Honora Elsie Puddifoot. They moved to Canada in 1947, and settled in Osoyoos where his grandfather had moved to the year prior. Influenced by his stepfather Fritz Gabelmann, Colin became involved with the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) at an early age.

After graduating from Southern Okanagan Secondary School in Oliver, he attended the University of British Columbia before leaving to work as a provincial organizer for the New Democratic Party, which succeeded the CCF. Following the NDP's loss in the 1969 provincial election, he joined the British Columbia Federation of Labour (BCFED) as legislative director.

Politics

In the 1972 provincial election, Gabelmann ran as the NDP candidate in North Vancouver-Seymour, defeating the incumbent Liberal candidate Barrie Clark and Conservative leader Derril Warren to become the riding's member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA).: 315  The NDP won power in that election, and Gabelmann served as government whip in the 30th Parliament. After losing to Social Credit candidate Jack Davis in 1975,: 325  he returned to the BCFED as political education director.

Gabelmann moved to Campbell River, British Columbia in 1978 with his wife Robin Geary, and returned to the Legislative Assembly in 1979 by winning in the newly established riding of North Island; he was re-elected there in 1983, 1986 and 1991.: 335, 343, 353  While the NDP formed the official opposition, Gabelmann served as opposition whip and labour critic. After the NDP returned to power in 1991, he was named to the provincial cabinet as Attorney General by Premier Mike Harcourt. He switched portfolios with Ujjal Dosanjh in August 1995, becoming Minister of Government Services and Minister Responsible for Sports. He was left out of the cabinet after Glen Clark took over as premier in February 1996, and he did not run in that May's provincial election.

After politics, death

After finishing his term as MLA, Gabelmann was named to the board of the Pacific Racing Association in 1997. He also served on the Vancouver Island University board of governors, and was on the board of the John Howard Society of North Island for 18 years.

He died in Campbell River on October 3, 2026, at the age of 82.

Electoral record

1991 British Columbia general election: North Island
Party Candidate Votes%Expenditures
New DemocraticColin Gabelmann8,42750.39$40,033
LiberalDan Reynen5,67033.91$4,338
Social CreditRoger A. McDonell2,21713.26$30,385
GreenMichael Mascall4082.44$142
Total valid votes 16,722100.00
Total rejected ballots 2871.69
Turnout 17,00971.06

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Normandin, P G (1992). Canadian Parliamentary Guide, 1992 (PDF).
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Colin Gabelmann Obituary". The Globe and Mail. October 10, 2026. Retrieved October 16, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Colin Gabelmann - Board Voice". boardvoice.ca. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Colin Gabelmann Interview: Progressive Politician and Attorney-General". BC Labour Heritage Centre. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 "Electoral History of British Columbia, 1871-1986" (PDF). Elections BC. pp. 315, 325, 335, 343, 353. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Electoral History of British Columbia: Supplement, 1987-2001" (PDF). Legislative Library of British Columbia. p. 9. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
  7. 1 2 "Harcourt Cabinet: 35th Parliament 1991-1996" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
  8. ↑ Smyth, Michael (April 1, 2008). "Strange system where select few are in the know". Vancouver Province. Archived from the original on June 11, 2014. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
  9. ↑ 前司法廳長加貝爾曼 出任太平洋馬會董事 [Former Attorney General Gabelmann to serve on Pacific Racing Association board] (in Traditional Chinese). Ming Pao. January 15, 1997. Retrieved October 26, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Resume of Orders in Council (Vol. 45, No. 28)". bclaws.gov.bc.ca. Retrieved October 26, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Annual Report 2025-2026" (PDF). John Howard Society of North Island. p. 3. Retrieved October 26, 2026.
  12. ↑ MacLennan, Dan (October 14, 2026). "Remembering North Island MLA Colin Gabelmann". Victoria News. Retrieved October 26, 2026.
  13. ↑ A Tribute to a True Friend of Cortes Island