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- EDMONTON - Pam Barrett, leader
of Alberta's New Democratic Party, decided to quit her job Wednesday because
of what she calls a near-death experience in a dentist's chair.
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- At an emotional news conference, Barrett said she had
an allergic reaction to a local anesthetic. She said she couldn't breathe,
had an out-of-body experience, and was rushed to hospital. Barrett, 46,
also decided to quit her seat as a member for Edmonton-Highlands in the
Alberta legislature. Raj Pannu becomes interim leader of the provincial
NDP.
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- Pam Barrett She had a second near-death experience at
the hospital. She said that was when she decided she had to "find
another path." She says she can't explain this sudden conviction that
came over her that she must resign from politics.
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- "My decision to do this is extremely spiritual,"
Barrett told a news conference.
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- She was asked at the news conference what she saw during
the near-death experience. Barrett said, "It was just fine. I've lost
my fear of death." Pannu, the new interim leader, said he has been
worried about Barret's health. He said he thought she looked "feeble"
and he worried that she wasn't looking after herself.
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- A year ago, Barrett took a six-week leave of absence
to take stress-management training.
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- The Alberta New Democrats are the official Opposition
in the province. During her term as party leader, Barrett gained a reputation
as a tough, fiery leader. Her nickname was "Mighty Mouse."
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- Premier Ralph Klein, in Quebec to attend this week's
premiers conference, praised Barrett as a worthy opponent. "I can
honestly say that Pam has kept me on my toes and helped improve government
policy in many areas," Klein said.
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- Allyson Jeff
Staff Writer The Edmonton Journal
- 2-3-00
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- New Democrat Leader Pam Barrett is leaving politics for
spiritual reasons after what she describes as a "near-death experience"
in the dentist's chair.
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- Barrett, 46, made the announcement Wednesday -- a day
after she was rushed to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in convulsions from
an allergic reaction to dental anesthetic.
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- "My entire body went numb," she told reporters.
"My throat swelled up so much I couldn't breathe. I had a near-death
experience."
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- Barret's resignation as party leader and as MLA for Edmonton
Highlands is effective immediately. It is the second time she has retired
from political life.
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- She hangs up the gloves on the eve of her biggest fight
over the government's health-care policy.
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- During the legislative session that begins Feb. 17, the
Tories will bring in a bill allowing private surgical facilities under
contract with health authorities to do procedures requiring overnight stays.
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- Barrett has opposed the move, saying it will lead to
the demise of medicare.
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- On the day she announced her resignation, she was supposed
to release her own private member's bill aimed at protecting public health
care in Alberta.
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- But at a news conference attended by political colleagues
and her dentist, Barrett said she needs to take her life in a new direction.
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- "I need a new path. I need to do something and I
can't tell you what it is and I cannot explain the spiritual connection."
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- Barrett was tearful and jovial by turns during the news
conference.
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- "I will miss all of you -- staff, friends, foes,"
she said, vowing to stay active in the party.
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- Although she was raised a Roman Catholic, Barrett said
she would not call herself a religious person. However, as she began to
lose consciousness in the dentist's chair she made the sign of the cross
over her chest.
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- Barrett recalled saying: " I'm going. I'm dying."
For a split second she felt dead "and then I came out of it."
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- Dentist David Oyen said he gave her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
and then tried to keep her calm until emergency medical help arrived.
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- Barrett said she suffered two similar "episodes"
after she reached the hospital.
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- In 25 years as a dentist, Oyen says he's never seen such
a severe reaction to the local anesthetic, a needle commonly administered
in the gums to "freeze" the mouth.
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- Barrett was in his office for a $4,000 capping procedure
to enhance her appearance for the next provincial election -- expected
as early as next year.
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- "We were placing some veneers on her teeth to help
improve her looks for an upcoming campaign so she would have a nice smile
on posters," Oyen said.
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- Party president Les Steel said he respects Barrett's
decision, although party members are "saddened and sorry" to
see her go.
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- Since Barrett became leader in September 1996, party
membership has doubled to about 4,000.
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- Edmonton Strathcona MLA Raj Pannu will serve as interim
leader until a leadership convention is held.
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- The government has up to six months to hold a byelection.
In the meantime, Barrett's constituency office will remain open, Steel
said.
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- Pannu said he feels a "profound sense of loss"
at Barrett's departure but is proud of the work they've accomplished since
they were elected in 1993.
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- He said Barrett's fight against private medicine has
left her feeling fatigued. A defamation suit filed against her by HRG Health
Resource Group Inc. has also "increased her sense of crisis, her sense
of personal jeopardy."
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- Early last year, Barrett took a six-week leave from politics
to seek counselling for personal problems -- citing stress and suicidal
thoughts related to her mother's death.
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- Originally from Brandon, Man., Barrett worked as a researcher
for former New Democrat Leaders Grant Notley and Ray Martin from 1982 to
1986.
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- She was elected in Edmonton Highlands in 1986 and was
re-elected in 1989.
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- After deciding not to run in 1993, Barrett returned to
politics in 1996 when she was elected party leader and returned as MLA
for Highlands in 1997.
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