Adrian Dix facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Adrian Dix
MLA
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Dix in 2016
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| Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions of British Columbia | |
| Assumed office November 18, 2024 |
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| Premier | David Eby |
| Preceded by | Josie Osborne (Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation) |
| Minister of Health of British Columbia | |
| In office July 18, 2017 – November 18, 2024 |
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| Premier | |
| Preceded by | Mary Polak |
| Succeeded by | Josie Osborne |
| Minister responsible for Francophone Affairs of British Columbia | |
| Assumed office September 27, 2017 |
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| Premier | |
| Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly for Vancouver-Renfrew Vancouver-Kingsway (2005–2024) |
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| Assumed office May 17, 2005 |
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| Preceded by | Rob Nijjar |
| Leader of the Opposition in British Columbia | |
| In office April 17, 2011 – May 4, 2014 |
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| Preceded by | Dawn Black |
| Succeeded by | John Horgan |
| Leader of the British Columbia New Democratic Party |
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| In office April 17, 2011 – May 4, 2014 |
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| Preceded by | Dawn Black |
| Succeeded by | John Horgan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 20, 1964 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Political party | BC NDP |
| Spouse | Renée Saklikar |
| Residences | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Alma mater | University of British Columbia |
| Occupation | Politician |
Adrian Dix (born April 20, 1964) is a Canadian politician from British Columbia. He is a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Vancouver-Kingsway. An MLA is someone elected to represent a specific area in the provincial government.
Mr. Dix is a member of the British Columbia New Democratic Party (BC NDP). He was the leader of his party and the Leader of the Opposition in British Columbia from 2011 to 2014. Since November 2024, he has been the Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions. He has also been the Minister responsible for Francophone Affairs since 2017. Before that, he was the Minister of Health from 2017 to 2024.
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Adrian Dix's Early Life
Adrian Dix was born in Vancouver, British Columbia. His parents, Ken and Hilda, moved to Canada from Ireland and Britain. They owned an insurance business in Vancouver.
Adrian grew up in Vancouver and went to St. George's School and Point Grey Secondary. He later studied history and political science at the University of British Columbia. He has two siblings and lives in Vancouver with his wife, Renée Saklikar, who is a poet and writer. Mr. Dix was diagnosed with Type-1 diabetes when he was in his twenties. He also speaks French fluently and lived in France when he was younger.
Adrian Dix's Political Journey
Starting in Politics
Adrian Dix's first job in politics was helping a federal politician named Ian Waddell in Ottawa. In 1991, he returned to British Columbia to work for Glen Clark in the provincial finance ministry.
When Glen Clark became the Premier of British Columbia in 1996, Mr. Dix became his chief of staff. A chief of staff helps manage the premier's office. In 1999, Mr. Dix was dismissed from this role. He later said that he made a mistake by changing the date on a memo. He has openly admitted this mistake.
After this, he worked as the executive director for Canadian Parents for French in British Columbia and Yukon. In this role, he helped encourage more schools to offer French immersion programs.
From 2001 to 2005, Mr. Dix was a political commentator. He wrote columns for newspapers like the Victoria Times-Colonist and The Source. He also contributed to The Tyee and the CBC.
Becoming an MLA
In 2005, Adrian Dix was elected as the MLA for Vancouver-Kingsway. As an MLA, he first worked as the opposition critic for Children and Families. An opposition critic is a politician who watches over a specific area of government and points out issues. Later, he became the Health critic.
As an MLA, he helped bring insulin pumps to children with Type 1 diabetes. He also worked to stop three schools from closing in his area.
Leading the BC NDP Party
In 2011, after the previous leader resigned, Adrian Dix decided to run to become the leader of the BC NDP party. He was the last person to announce his plan to run.
His campaign focused on several ideas:
- Getting rid of a tax called the HST.
- Changing corporate tax rates.
- Using carbon tax money to improve public transit and reduce greenhouse gases.
- Increasing the minimum wage to $10 per hour.
- Creating a provincial child care system.
- Helping post-secondary students by restoring grants and reducing interest on student loans.
Adrian Dix won the leadership vote, becoming the leader of the BC NDP.
In the 2013 provincial election, many polls suggested the BC NDP would win. However, the BC Liberals won the election instead. After this, Adrian Dix announced in September 2013 that he would step down as party leader once a new leader was chosen. John Horgan became the new leader in 2014. Mr. Dix also said he would run again as an MLA in the next election.
Serving as a Cabinet Minister
After the 2017 election, the BC NDP formed the government. Adrian Dix was appointed the Minister of Health. He kept this role when David Eby became Premier in 2022.
As Health Minister, Mr. Dix announced a plan in 2021 to bring 4,000 housekeepers and food service workers in provincial hospitals back under government employment. This was done to improve their wages and benefits. Premier John Horgan noted that these changes especially helped women.
Mr. Dix was the Health Minister during the COVID-19 pandemic and helped lead British Columbia's response. After the 2024 election, he was named the Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions.
