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Christy Clark

Christy Clark is a Canadian politician who served as the 35th premier of British Columbia from 2011 to 2017.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Christy Clark is a Canadian politician who served as the 35th premier of British Columbia from 2011 to 2017. She was the second woman to hold the premiership of British Columbia and the first woman in British Columbia to be elected premier. Clark is closely tied to Canadian provincial politics as one of British Columbia’s most prominent premiers and a significant figure in the history of women’s political leadership in Canada.

Early life and education

Christy Clark was born and raised in Burnaby, British Columbia. She studied at Simon Fraser University and also attended the University of Edinburgh and the Sorbonne.

Political career

Clark entered elected politics in 1996 as a B.C. Liberal MLA and held several cabinet roles in the provincial government. She left public life in 2005, returned in 2011, and became premier after winning the party leadership.

Premier of British Columbia

As premier, Clark led the province from March 2011 to July 2017. She won the 2013 election and was re-elected in 2017, becoming the first woman in Canadian history to be re-elected as a premier.

Post-political career

After resigning as party leader and leaving the legislature in 2017, Clark moved into advisory and speaking roles. Sources describe her as a senior advisor, board chair, and keynote speaker.

Key facts

  • Clark was first elected to the British Columbia Legislative Assembly in 1996 and later returned to provincial politics in 2011 to lead the governing B.C. Liberal Party.
  • She served as premier from 2011 until 2017 and was re-elected in the 2013 and 2017 provincial elections.
  • She was the first woman in British Columbia to be elected premier and the first woman in Canada to lead her party to a plurality of seats in two consecutive general elections.
  • Before becoming premier, she held cabinet posts including Minister of Education, Deputy Premier, and Minister of Children and Family Development.
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Canadian context

Clark is closely tied to Canadian provincial politics as one of British Columbia’s most prominent premiers and a significant figure in the history of women’s political leadership in Canada. [1][6][13]

Frequently asked questions

Who is Christy Clark?
Christy Clark is a Canadian politician who served as the 35th premier of British Columbia from 2011 to 2017.
When was Christy Clark born?
She was born on October 29, 1965.
What political office did Christy Clark hold?
She served as premier of British Columbia and earlier as a member of the Legislative Assembly and several cabinet positions.
Was Christy Clark the first woman premier of British Columbia?
She was the first woman in British Columbia to be elected premier; Rita Johnston had previously served as premier after becoming leader through succession.
What party did Christy Clark lead?
She led the British Columbia Liberal Party from 2011 to 2017.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christy_Clark
    Supports: Full name, birth date, office held, term, and historical notes on her premiership
  2. Legislative Assembly of British Columbiahttp://leg.bc.ca/learn/watv/biographies/christy-clark
    Supports: Birthplace, education, elected offices, cabinet roles, premiership, and post-2017 career notes
  3. Legislative Assembly of British Columbiahttps://www.leg.bc.ca/learn/discover-your-legislature/2013-first-elected-woman-premier
    Supports: First woman elected premier in B.C., premiership dates, and 2017 election result
  4. The Canadian Encyclopediahttps://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/christy-clark
    Supports: Post-political roles including senior advisor, board chair, and associate member
  5. Legislative Assembly of British Columbiahttps://www.leg.bc.ca/learn/discover-your-legislature/2013-first-elected-woman-premier
    Supports: British Columbia political history and Clark's significance as first elected woman premier
  6. InterAction Councilhttps://i.ac/about-us/members/associate-members/christy-clark.html
    Supports: Former premier status and distinction as the only female premier in Canada ever re-elected