Helmut Giesbrecht

Helmut Giesbrecht (February 18, 1943 – October 9, 2020) was a Ukrainian-Canadian politician and educator who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia from 1991 to 2001. A member of the British Columbia New Democratic Party (NDP), he represented the riding of Skeena. He also served as the mayor of Terrace from 1981 to 2001.

Career Giesbrecht was born in Ukraine. He was educated at the University of British Columbia and taught in Terrace, British Columbia for 24 years. Giesbrecht was a member of the Terrace City Council, serving as mayor from 1981 to 1985. He was also a member of the executive of the Terrace District's Teachers Union, served as president of the Terrace District Teachers' Association and was a director for the Terrace and District Credit Union. He served in the provincial cabinet as Minister responsible for the Public Service (1999 to 2000) and Minister of Transportation and Highways (2001). Giesbrecht was defeated by Roger Harris when he ran for re-election in 2001.

Following the 1996 election, an unsuccessful recall campaign was launched against Giesbrecht.

Giesbrecht died on October 9, 2020, aged 77.