Joy MacPhail
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Joy MacPhail is a Canadian politician in British Columbia. She is a longtime member of the New Democratic Party of British Columbia and served in the cabinets of three NDP premiers. Under Premier Mike Harcourt she served as Minister of Social Services from September 21, 1993 to February 28, 1996. Under Premier Glen Clark she served as Minister of Social Services from February 28, 1996 to June 1996, Minister of Health and Minister Responsible for Seniors from June 1996 to February 18, 1998 and Minister of Finance and Corporate Relations from February 18, 1998 to July 16, 1999. Under Premier Ujjal Dosanjh she was the Deputy Premier from February 29, 2000 to June 5, 2001 and served as Minister of Labour from February 29, 2000 to November 1, 2000 and Minister of Education from November 1, 2000 to June 5, 2001.
The NDP suffered a massive electoral blow in the May 16, 2001 provincial election, winning only two seats, one of which was MacPhail's. Exactly one month later MacPhail was appointed as the party's interim leader. She was a harsh critic of the new BC Liberal Premier Gordon Campbell, often fueled by the Premier's refusal to grant MacPhail the status of Leader of the Official Opposition on the basis of her party's small representation, despite the fact that she led the only other party in the legislature. MacPhail stepped down as leader in 2003 and was replaced by Carole James.
MacPhail is the great-grandaughter of Agnes MacPhail, the first woman ever elected to the Parliament of Canada.
| Preceded by: Gordon Campbell | Leader of the Opposition In British Columbia 2001–2005 | Succeeded by: Carole James |