Grace Mary McCarthy (born October 14, 1927) was a Canadian politician in British Columbia, nicknamed Amazing Grace by members of her party, and a longtime member of the Social Credit Party of B.C. She was largely responsible for rebuilding the party after its defeat in the 1972 provincial election. October 14 is the 287th day of the year (288th in Leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1927 (MCMXXVII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... A politician is an individual involved in politics. ... Motto: Splendor Sine Occasu (Latin: Splendour without diminishment) Official languages English Capital Victoria Largest city Vancouver Lieutenant-Governor Iona Campagnolo Premier Gordon Campbell (BC Liberal) Parliamentary representation  - House seat  - Senate seats 36 6 Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 5th 944,735 km² 2. ... The British Columbia Social Credit Party, whose members are known as Socreds, was the governing political party of British Columbia for more than 30 years between the 1952 provincial election and the 1991 election, although there was a break between the 1972 and 1975 elections when the New Democratic Party... The 30th general election for the Province of British Columbia, Canada. ...

She was a senior cabinet minister, serving in a variety of portfolios, in the governments of Social Credit Premier W.R. Bennett from 1975 to 1986 and of Social Credit Premier Bill Vander Zalm from 1986 until her resignation from cabinet in 1988. However in 1991 when Vander Zalm was forced to resign amid scandal allegations, the Social Credit party became bittery divided. Socred members voted the lesser-known Rita Johnston, a close ally of Vander Zalm, to be their new leader, over McCarthy. Many viewed this as a mistake, as Johnston was close to the Vander Zalm legacy; even future Premier Mike Harcourt admitted later that he preferred Johnston over McCarthy, as the latter would be a much tougher opponent in an election. Johnston lost the 1991 provincial election badly, with the party only winning third-place status in the legislature. Johnston resigned as leader shortly thereafter, and McCarthy was chosen to replace her. The Executive Council of British Columbia (informally and more commonly, the Cabinet of British Columbia) is the cabinet of the Canadian province. ... In Canada, a Premier is the head of government of a province. ... William Richards Bennett, or simply Bill Bennett (born August 18, 1932) was Premier of the Canadian province of British Columbia (1975-1986). ... William Nicholas Vander Zalm (b. ... 1991 (MCMXCI) is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Rita Johnston (born April 22, 1935) was a politician in British Columbia, Canada. ... Michael Harcourt (born 1943) is a politican in the Canadian province of British Columbia. ... The 35th provincial election in the Province of British Columbia, Canada, was called on September 19, 1991, and held on October 17, 1991. ...

However, McCarthy had no seat in the legislature, and the Socreds were in danger of being dismissed as an increasingly irrelevant political force in British Columbia. She missed a chance to re-enter the legislature when she lost a close by-election in 1994 [1]. Subsequently, she stepped down as leader in 1994 amid further infighting. In the 1996 election the Socreds lost all their remaining seats. A by-election or bye-election is a special election held to fill a political office when the incumbent has died or resigned. ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International year of the Family. ... This term is normally used in political parties and sometimes in religious organizations to describe dissenters from a hegemony. ... The British Columbia general election of 1996 was the 36th provincial election in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. ...

In 1992, she was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. In 2004, she was awarded the Order of British Columbia. 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ... The Order of Canada is Canadas highest civilian honour, with membership awarded to those who exemplify the Orders Latin motto Desiderantes meliorem patriam, which means, Desiring a better country. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Order of British Columbia insignia The Order of British Columbia is British Columbias highest award for outstanding achievement. ...