Garde Gardom

Garde Basil Gardom, OBC QC (July 17, 1924 – June 18, 2013) was a Canadian politician, lawyer, and the 26th Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.

The Honourable Garde Gardom OBC QC
26th Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia
In office April 21, 1995 – September 25, 2001
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Governors General	Roméo LeBlanc Adrienne Clarkson
Premier	Michael Harcourt Glen Clark Dan Miller Ujjal Dosanjh Gordon Campbell
Preceded by	David Lam
Succeeded by	Iona Campagnolo
Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly for Vancouver-Point Grey
In office September 12, 1966 – October 22, 1986 Serving with Pat McGeer
Preceded by	Robert Bonner Ralph Raymond Loffmark
Succeeded by	Kim Campbell
Personal details
Born	Garde Basil Gardom (1924-07-17)July 17, 1924 Banff, Alberta
Died	June 19, 2013(2013-06-19) (aged 88) Vancouver, British Columbia
Nationality	Canadian
Political party	Social Credit (1975–?) Liberal Party (1966–1975)
Spouse(s)	Theresa Helen Eileen Mackenzie m. February 11, 1956
Alma mater	University of British Columbia

Early life

Gardom was born in Banff, Alberta on July 17, 1924.^[1] He grew up in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia, and attended secondary school in Vancouver.^[2] He obtained his BA and LLB degrees from the University of British Columbia. During his undergraduate years, he played varsity basketball for the Thunderbirds^[3] and was an active member of the BC Alpha chapter of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.^[1] He then practised law in Vancouver.

Political career

Gardom was elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in the constituency of Vancouver-Point Grey in the general elections of 1966, 1969, 1972, 1975, 1979, and 1983.^[1] Originally a Liberal, he joined the Social Credit party in 1975 and was appointed to the cabinet of Premier Bill Bennett in 1975.^[4] He held numerous ministerial positions including Attorney General, Minister of Intergovernmental Relations, and was the longest-serving Government House Leader.^[1]

In 1987, Gardom was appointed the agent-general for British Columbia in London, England.^[4] He served in that post until 1992.^[2]

Lieutenant governor

In 1995, Gardom was appointed Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia by Governor General Roméo LeBlanc, on the advice of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. He was the only non-Liberal politician to be appointed as a Lieutenant Governor during Chrétien's term (although Gardom started out his career with the Liberals). He served until 2001. In 2002 he received the Order of British Columbia.^[5]

Personal life

In 1956, Gardom married Helen Eileen Mackenzie. They had five children. Gardom was a very active contributor to the 4-H community.^[1]

Death

Gardom died on June 18, 2013, aged 88.^[4][6]

Arms

Coat of arms of Garde Gardom

Crest Issuant from a coronet erablé Gules the rim encircled with a frieze of fleurs-de-lys Or an arm in armour embowed grasping a sword all Or; Escutcheon Or an open book Argent bound Azure charged with a representation of the Mace of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in bend Or between a chief dancetty of five and in base three barrulets wavy Azure; Supporters On a grassy mound Vert set dexter and sinister with dogwood flowers Argent seeded Or and in base with Icelandic poppies proper dexter a stag Or unguled and attired and gorged with a collar Azure pendant therefrom a hurt charged with an ansul Or sinister a mare Or unguled and maned Azure gorged with a like collar charged with a stag’s head affronty Or; Motto GARDEZ [7]