The former MP and MLA Ian Waddell, Q.C. discusses his life and career in and out of politics, and his new memoir Take the Torch (Nightwood Editions, 2018), with Joseph Planta.

Take the Torch: A Political Memoir by Ian Waddell (Nightwood Editions, 2018). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Take the Torch

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, at TheCommentary.ca.

Ian Waddell joins me now. The former MP and MLA has just published a new memoir, Take the Torch. In it, he recounts his storied life and career with stories about the many people he’s encountered over his career as a social activist, a storefront lawyer here in Vancouver in the 1970s, an aide to Tom Berger during the Mackenzie Pipeline Hearings, as well as in Ottawa and Victoria. He talks about prime ministers he’s known and sparred with, colleagues he worked with, as well as projects like the patriation of the Constitution and the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, that he had a hand in. He’s recently produced a film, and he remains active as a lawyer. Ian Waddell, Q.C., was a Member of Parliament from 1979 to 1993, and a Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia from 1996 to 2001. He previously published a political novel, A Thirst to Die For, and is currently a documentary film producer, and a consultant in environmental and aboriginal affairs. This new book is published by Nightwood Editions. He joined me from Victoria, BC last week. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Ian Waddell; Mr. Waddell, good morning.

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