Carole James has always been striving to make a difference

It shaped her first action on behalf of others. It was the underpinning of her career in the public service. It guided her work as a school trustee and chair of the provincial trustees' association. And it was ultimately the reason she decided to run for the leadership of the B.C. New Democratic Party.

It was summer of 2003 and Carole was camping in the woods near Burns Lake with her husband, Al. Absent the distractions that often come with city living, her choice became clear.

“Provincial governments have the responsibility to support citizens in many profound ways,” Carole says. “When I had the chance to think about it, I realized that was what was missing in BritisCarole Jamesh Columbia. We have a government that has no interest in living up to that responsibility.

“Gordon Campbell has led the most one-sided government in this province's history,” Carole says. “His policies have hurt those who were already the most vulnerable. The result is a more divided society.”

Admittedly, it's a long way from her first brush with activism. Her high school wouldn't allow girls to wear pants in the winter. Carole lobbied the principal to change the policy. It may not have been a life-changing issue, but it was a hint of what would come.

She was elected to the Greater Victoria School Board from 1990 to 2001, including seven terms as chair. She also served at the national level as Vice-President of the Canadian School Boards Association.

In addition to serving a two-year term as the Director of Child Care Policy for the government of British Columbia, she has participated on the Greater Victoria Region Social Planning Council, the City of Victoria Parks and Recreation Committee, and the Task Force on Violence Prevention.

In recognition of her work in the area of co-operativeCarole with members of the Terrace First Nation pre-schools, she was named an Honorary Life Member of the Vancouver Island Co-operative Pre-School Association.

In 2001, Carole moved to Prince George to serve as the Director of Child and Family Services for Carrier Sekani Family Services. As part of her management responsibilities, she coordinated the planning for regionalization of child and family services from the Ministry of Children and Families to an Aboriginal Authority. In July 2003, just prior to becoming Leader of the B.C. NDP, she became Coordinator with the Northern Aboriginal Authority for Families.

“Although I've spent most of my life in Victoria, my time in the north made a big impression on me, and not just because that's where I met Al,” Carole says. “Living in Prince George – seeing a part of this province that’s different from what I’m used to – was a tremendous experience for me, and it’s invaluable in the way I’ve approached my job as Leader of the Opposition.”

As Opposition Leader Carole has worked to move away from the divisive, polarized politics that have marked British Columbia.

Carole with Chinese Consul General“British Columbians have told me they’re tired of one-sided governments. They don’t think it’s right that we have winners and losers.

“Everyone should benefit from the wealth of natural, technological and human resources we’re blessed with.”

In May 2005, Carole was elected as MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill, and became the Leader of B.C.'s Official Opposition.

“I’m very proud of the successes we’ve had since forming the largest NDP opposition in history. We fought to have a children’s representative restored after Gordon Campbell cut the office in his flurry of budget cuts.

“We’ve shone the light on their mismanagement of health care and revealed their plan is to push for more for-profit care.

“And we’ve successfully raised the issue of public resources – like public water resources – being used for the good of the public. We know our work isn’t done yet. We will continue to be just as aggressive in holding the Campbell government to account.”

Building on her previous work, Carole continues to bring people together from all parts of the province and walks of life to discuss solutions and achieve results. She says that’s one of the big differences between her approach and that of Gordon Campbell.

“The B.C. Liberals want to move forward by leaving some behind,” says James. “I believe that everyone in British Columbia has a contribution to make and everyone in B.C. matters.”

Carole is the mother of two children, Alison and Evan. She was also a foster parent for 20 years, caring for children and adults with special needs.