Paul Ramsey (politician)

Paul Ramsey is a Canadian academic and politician. A member of the New Democratic Party, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia for Prince George-North in 1991 and re-elected in 1996, serving until 2001.
Ramsey was born in Pittsburgh and received bachelor's and master's degrees in English in the United States before moving to the University of British Columbia. He then held teaching and administrative jobs at institutions in the US and Canada, eventually becoming, in 1975, an instructor at the College of New Caledonia. He entered politics via his involvement in the CNC Faculty Association. From 1987 to 1989, he served as president of the College-Institute Educators Association of British Columbia.
His first cabinet appointment was as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Forests. In September 1993 he was appointed Minister of Health and Minister Responsible for Seniors where he served until February 1996 when he became Minister of Education, Skills and Training. In February 1996 he became Minister of Environment, Lands and Parks. In January 1997 he returned to the Ministry of Education, Skills, and Training. In February 1998 he became Minister of Education, which he remained until September 1999. On September 21, 1999 he was appointed Minister of Finance and Corporate Relations. On November 1, 2000 he added the role of Minister Responsible for Northern Development.
Following the 1996 election, an unsuccessful recall campaign was launched against Ramsey.
Ramsey is currently a Visiting Professor in Political Science at the University of Northern British Columbia
Ramsey and his wife Hazel have two grown children, Paul and Ann.

• Some thoughts on a Northern Ministry for British Columbia, Northern Review (Summer 2005). link