One of British Columbia's most respected journalists has passed away Saturday morning. For 22 years, Barb McLintock was a newspaper reporter, columnist and eventually, the first woman named Victoria Bureau Chief for the Province newspaper.
By crocheting, or by not taking notes as she talked with politicians, Barb broke story after story. She says that by not taking notes politicians were more willing to open up. Her awards include the Canadian Association of Journalists "Best Investigative Reporting" Award in 1996.
She was also a regular guest on C-FAX talk shows, and even an occasional fill-in host. She also authored books on how Victoria became the first city in Canada to ban smoking in indoor public places, and on the controversial Montreux Eating Disorder Clinic.
Barb retired in 2003 and the next year, became a Community Coroner here in Victoria, and three years later, became the media spokesperson for the BC Coroners Service, a position she held till her retirement early last year. Barb McLintock was named an Honorary Citizen of the City of Victoria in 2002.