# Graham Bruce
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{{Short description|Canadian politician (born 1952)}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=September 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| image =
| name = Graham Bruce
| caption =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1952|7|7}}
| birth_place = [Duncan, British Columbia](/source/Duncan%2C_British_Columbia)
| assembly = British Columbia Legislative
| constituency_AM = [Cowichan-Ladysmith](/source/Cowichan-Ladysmith)
| term_start = May 16, 2001
| term_end = May 17, 2005
| predecessor = [Jan Pullinger](/source/Jan_Pullinger)
| successor = [Doug Routley](/source/Doug_Routley)
| assembly1 = British Columbia Legislative
| constituency_AM1 = [Cowichan-Malahat](/source/Cowichan-Malahat)
| term_start1 = October 22, 1986
| term_end1 = October 17, 1991
| predecessor1 = [Barbara Wallace](/source/Barbara_Wallace_(politician))
| successor1 = [Jan Pullinger](/source/Jan_Pullinger)[The new riding of [Cowichan-Ladysmith](/source/Cowichan-Ladysmith)]
| office2 = Minister of Municipal Affairs, Recreation and Culture of [British Columbia](/source/Executive_Council_of_British_Columbia)
| premier2 = [Rita Johnston](/source/Rita_Johnston)
| term_start2 = April 15, 1991
| term_end2 = November 5, 1991
| predecessor2 = [Lyall Franklin Hanson](/source/Lyall_Franklin_Hanson)
| successor2 = [Robin Blencoe](/source/Robin_Blencoe) (Municipal Affairs, Recreation and Housing)
| office3 = Minister of Skills Development and Labour of [British Columbia](/source/Executive_Council_of_British_Columbia)
| premier3 = [Gordon Campbell](/source/Gordon_Campbell_(Canadian_politician))
| term_start3 = June 5, 2001
| term_end3 = June 16, 2005
| predecessor3 = [Joan Smallwood](/source/Joan_Smallwood) (Labour)
| successor3 = [Michael de Jong](/source/Michael_de_Jong) (Labour and Citizens' Services)
| office4 = Mayor of [North Cowichan](/source/North_Cowichan)
| term_start4 = 1979
| term_end4 = 1987
| predecessor4 = George W. Whittaker
| successor4 = H. Rex Hollett
| party = [Social Credit](/source/British_Columbia_Social_Credit_Party) → [BC Liberal](/source/British_Columbia_Liberal_Party)
| spouse = Anneke
| occupation =
}}
'''Graham Preston Bruce''' is a former [Canadian](/source/Canadians) politician who served as a member of the [Legislative Assembly of British Columbia](/source/Legislative_Assembly_of_British_Columbia), representing the electoral district of [Cowichan-Malahat](/source/Cowichan-Malahat) from 1986 to 1991 as part of the [Social Credit Party](/source/British_Columbia_Social_Credit_Party) (Socred),[{{cite book|title=The Canadian Parliamentary Guide|author=Normandin, P.G.|date=1991|publisher=Gale Canada |issn=0315-6168 |isbn=9780921925408 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AhiJAAAAMAAJ|access-date=November 16, 2014}}] and the district of [Cowichan-Ladysmith](/source/Cowichan-Ladysmith) from 2001 to 2005 as a [BC Liberal](/source/BC_Liberal). He was a [cabinet minister](/source/Executive_Council_of_British_Columbia) under [premiers](/source/Premier_of_British_Columbia) [Rita Johnston](/source/Rita_Johnston) and [Gordon Campbell](/source/Gordon_Campbell_(Canadian_politician)).
==Biography==
Bruce was a [North Cowichan](/source/North_Cowichan) councillor for three years, before serving as the municipality's mayor from 1979 to 1987.[{{cite web |title=Bruce, Hon. Graham (Cowichan-Ladysmith) Minister of Skills Development and Labour |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/international/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/bruce-hon-graham-cowichan-ladysmith-minister-skills-development-and-labour |work=Canadian Parliamentary Guide |access-date=2024-09-26}}][{{cite web|url=http://www.leg.bc.ca/MLA/37thparl/bruce.htm|title=MLA: Hon. Graham Bruce|publisher=[Legislative Assembly of British Columbia](/source/Legislative_Assembly_of_British_Columbia)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222050303/http://www.leg.bc.ca/MLA/37thparl/bruce.htm|archive-date=2012-02-22|url-status=dead}}][{{cite web |title=Past Councils |url=https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-hall/mayor-council/current-council/past-councils |publisher=Municipality of North Cowichan |access-date=2024-09-27}}] In the [1983 provincial election](/source/1983_British_Columbia_general_election), he ran as a [Social Credit Party](/source/British_Columbia_Social_Credit_Party) candidate in the riding of [Cowichan-Malahat](/source/Cowichan-Malahat), but lost to the incumbent [New Democratic Party](/source/British_Columbia_New_Democratic_Party) (NDP) candidate [Barbara Wallace](/source/Barbara_Wallace_(politician)).[{{cite web |title=Candidates: Graham Preston Bruce |url=https://canadianelectionsdatabase.ca/PHASE5/?p=0&type=person&ID=17393 |work=Canadian Elections Database |access-date=2024-09-26}}][{{cite news|title=Lake Flashback: Integrated learning, budget woes, and Wallace wins |first=Sarah |last=Simpson |url=https://www.lakecowichangazette.com/community/lake-flashback-integrated-learning-budget-woes-and-wallace-wins-1007074 |newspaper=Lake Cowichan Gazette |date=2023-05-14 |access-date=2024-09-26 }}]
He ran in Cowichan-Malahat again in the [1986 provincial election](/source/1986_British_Columbia_general_election), this time defeating NDP candidate Carolyn Askew to become the riding's [member of the Legislative Assembly](/source/member_of_the_Legislative_Assembly).[{{cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BzxOAAAAIBAJ&dq=%22elwood+veitch%22&pg=PA47&article_id=5532,885298 |title=Wounds not fatal in latest Socred battle |publisher=The Ladysmith-Chemainus Chronicle |page=4 |date=1989-10-10 |access-date=2025-11-12}}][{{cite web |title=A checklist of members of the Legislature of British Columbia |url=http://www.llbc.leg.bc.ca/public/reference/checklist_of_mlas.pdf |publisher=Legislative Library of British Columbia |access-date=2022-03-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627222059/http://www.llbc.leg.bc.ca/public/reference/checklist_of_mlas.pdf |archive-date=2013-06-27 |date=2013-05-16 |url-status=dead}}] In a joint statement, the four stressed that they "in no way desire[d] the fall of our government", but wished to spur an "open and realistic assessment" of Premier [Bill Vander Zalm](/source/Bill_Vander_Zalm)'s continued leadership.[{{Cite news |last1=Leyne |first1=Les |last2=Heiman |first2=Carolyn |date=October 4, 1989|title=Four Socreds quit caucus |pages=A1–A2 |work=[Times Colonist](/source/Times_Colonist)}}] Bruce was said to have grown discontent after the shocking by-election defeat in [Cariboo](/source/Cariboo_(provincial_electoral_district)), a longtime [stronghold](/source/safe_seat) for the party, two weeks prior.[{{Cite news |last=Leyne |first=Les |date=October 4, 1989|title=Rebels set to push if Vander Zalm doesn't jump |pages=A1 |work=[Times Colonist](/source/Times_Colonist)}}] He returned to the Socred caucus on February 14, 1990, alongside Mercier and Mowat (Crandall had already rejoined caucus in January).[{{Cite news |date=1990-02-15 |title=Valentine for Vander Zalm: Dissident MLAs will return to Socred fold |pages=A3 |work=[Times Colonist](/source/Times_Colonist)}}]
Vander Zalm resigned as premier and party leader in April 1991; his successor [Rita Johnston](/source/Rita_Johnston) appointed Bruce to the cabinet as Minister of Municipal Affairs, Recreation and Culture.[{{cite web|title=Rita Johnston Cabinet: 34th Parliament 1991 |url=https://www.llbc.leg.bc.ca/public/reference/johnstoncabinet.pdf|publisher=[Legislative Assembly of British Columbia](/source/Legislative_Assembly_of_British_Columbia)|accessdate=2024-09-26}}] With the Cowichan-Malahat riding being disestablished ahead of [that October's provincial election](/source/1991_British_Columbia_general_election), Bruce instead contested the new riding of [Cowichan-Ladysmith](/source/Cowichan-Ladysmith). Despite the change in leadership, the Socreds were unable to make up lost ground, and was defeated by the NDP; Bruce himself lost to NDP candidate [Jan Pullinger](/source/Jan_Pullinger).[{{cite book |last=Courtney |first=John C. |date=1995 |title=Do Conventions Matter?: Choosing National Party Leaders in Canada |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jdIPs9zun7AC&dq=%22linda+reid%22+%22allan+warnke%22&pg=PA369 |location= |publisher=McGill-Queen's Press |page=369 |isbn=0773565698}}]
He returned to politics in 2001 by running again in Cowichan-Ladysmith in [that year's provincial election](/source/2001_British_Columbia_general_election), this time for the [BC Liberals](/source/British_Columbia_Liberal_Party). He defeated NDP candidate Rob Hutchins to re-enter the legislature,[{{cite web|title=Campbell Cabinet: 37th Parliament 2001-2005, 38th Parliament 2005-2009, 39th Parliament 2009-2011 |url=https://www.llbc.leg.bc.ca/public/reference/campbell_cabinet.pdf|publisher=[Legislative Assembly of British Columbia](/source/Legislative_Assembly_of_British_Columbia)|accessdate=2024-09-26}}] he was additionally named Government House Leader in December 2004.[{{cite news|title=B.C. Liberals win again, lose 8 ministers |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/b-c-liberals-win-again-lose-8-ministers-1.557086 |publisher=[CBC News](/source/CBC_News) |date=2005-05-18 |access-date=2024-09-26 }}]
Following his re-election loss, Bruce conducted consulting work for the [Cowichan Tribes](/source/Cowichan_Tribes). In 2007, he was accused by the opposition NDP of improper lobbying activities on behalf of the tribes within two years of his departure from the legislature.[{{cite news|title=Former B.C. Liberal minister caught in lobby scandal, NDP alleges |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/former-b-c-liberal-minister-caught-in-lobby-scandal-ndp-alleges-1.652565 |publisher=[CBC News](/source/CBC_News) |agency=[The Canadian Press](/source/The_Canadian_Press) |date=2007-10-16 |access-date=2024-09-27 }}][{{cite news|title=Former B.C. minister won't face conflict of interest investigation |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/former-b-c-minister-won-t-face-conflict-of-interest-investigation-1.652562 |publisher=[CBC News](/source/CBC_News) |date=2007-12-21 |access-date=2024-09-27 }}] Conflict of Interest Commissioner Paul Fraser ruled in 2009 that Bruce did not benefit directly from his previous ministerial role.[{{cite web|title=Sidebar: There's Gold in Garbage Lobbying|first=Bob |last=Mackin |url=https://thetyee.ca/News/2013/09/04/John-Les-Hired/ |publisher=[The Tyee](/source/The_Tyee) |date=September 4, 2013 |access-date=2024-09-27}}] However, in a separate investigation by the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada, Bruce was found in breach of the Federal Lobbyists' Code of Conduct for not registering.[{{cite web|title=The lobbying activities of Graham Bruce |url=https://lobbycanada.gc.ca/en/investigations/reports-on-investigation/the-lobbying-activities-of-graham-bruce/#req_reg |publisher=Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada |year=2011 |access-date=2024-09-27}}]
From 2009 to 2018, Bruce served as chief executive officer of the Island Corridor Foundation, an organization seeking to revive passenger rail service on [Vancouver Island](/source/Vancouver_Island).[{{cite news|title=Meeting Tuesday could shed light on Graham Bruce's future with foundation that wants to re-start passenger rail on Vancouver Island |url=https://www.oakbaynews.com/news/meeting-tuesday-could-shed-light-on-graham-bruces-future-with-foundation-that-wants-to-re-start-passenger-rail-on-vancouver-island-446831 |publisher=Oak Bay News |first=JR |last=Rardon |date=2016-05-30 |access-date=2024-09-27 }}][{{cite news|title=New CEO brings drive to Island Corridor Foundation |url=https://www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com/news/new-ceo-brings-drive-to-island-corridor-foundation-785408 |publisher=Cowichan Valley Citizen |first=Robert |last=Barron |date=2018-08-03 |access-date=2024-09-27 }}]
He and his wife Anneke have four children together.