IN THE LEDGE – Tribute to Pat Wallace for contributions to city of Kamloops

Statement by Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Peter Milobar today (Oct. 16, 2018) in the Legislature. NOTE: The last meeting for the current council is actually Oct. 30, not today.

P. Milobar: Today in the ridings of Kamloops–North Thompson and Kamloops–South Thompson, a special person will be attending her last city council meeting as an elected official. For 31 years, Pat Wallace has served as a city councillor in Kamloops. Pat’s contributions to Kamloops and the surrounding area is immeasurable. She has not only been a city councillor; she was the first female chair of the Thompson-Nicola regional district.

In addition to her elected roles, Pat was also a president of UBCM and for six years was the vice-chair of the green municipal fund of the FCM. She was a provincial returning officer for four elections and chair of the library board. She was on the Royal Inland Hospital board for 12 years and the AIDS Society of Kamloops board for three years. She’s a recipient of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal and was the Kamloops United Way fundraising chair. There’s too much more to keep listing.

Pat has always been known to speak her mind. Unwavering in her convictions, you always knew where you stood. As witnessed by the long list of associations she worked with, Pat is always looking for ways to improve people’s lives. I was fortunate to know Pat as a family friend, and when I sought elected office, Pat was generous with her time, giving me advice and background on issues important to Kamloops. Her ability to recall the history of issues and projects would provide much-needed depth and context in many council debates.

If you were not sure what the proper protocol was for a visiting dignitary or city event, Pat was always the go-to person to make sure that things were done properly. From visiting royalty to a neighbourhood association meeting, you checked with Pat. In true, proper, protocol fashion, on election night in 2002, when we realized that we’d both been elected, Pat looked me straight in the eyes and said: “We’re colleagues now. Stop calling me Mrs. Wallace; it’s Pat from now on.”

There is no doubt that Kamloops is the community that it is today in large part due to the contributions of Pat Wallace. I am honoured and proud to not only have worked with Pat but to stand here today and call her a friend. I’ll end today with a piece of advice Pat shared with me years ago. I always remember it, and I think it would serve all members of this House well some days. Early in my career, Pat once again looked at me and said, “Just remember, Peter: all fish die by the mouth.”

Thank you for this time today.

Source: BC Hansard