In 2014, Ralph Drew became the first prize winner of the annual BC Historical Federation Book Competition, receiving $2,500 and the Lieutenant-Governor's Medal for historical writing for his self-published history, Forest & Fjord, the History of Belcarra (2013).

Ralph Drew has been active in municipal politics since he chaired the Village of Belcarra's incorporation committee in 1979. Following Belcarra's incorporation referendum, Ralph was appointed by the provincial government to Belcarra's Inaugural Council on August 27th, 1979, and was subsequently elected Alderman in November 1979.

He has been Mayor of Belcarra for 30 years (since December 1983), has been on the Metro Vancouver Board of Directors for the past 32 years (since December 1981), and is the longest serving Metro Vancouver Director. Ralph is presently Vice-Chair of the Metro Vancouver Aboriginal Relations Committee, and previously served for 10 years as Chair of the Lower Mainland Treaty Advisory Committee (LMTAC).

In January 2013 His Worship Mayor Ralph Drew was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal "for his on-going dedication to public service"; by The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Culture.

Ralph previously worked for Canadian Fishing Company (Canfisco) from January 1986 until December 2006, when he opted to semi-retire. During his tenure as Canfisco's Director of Technical Services, Ralph was Chair of the Industry Advisory Committee for the BCIT Fish Harvesting and Processing Program from 1991 to 1998, served three terms as Chair of the Fisheries Council of British Columbia Technical Committee, and in 2004?2005 was President of the association of Pacific Fisheries Technologists (PFT).

His background also includes 10 years as Chemistry Section Supervisor of the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Fish Inspection Laboratory, and 3 years as Quality Assurance Manager with Coca-Cola Bottling in Vancouver, B.C.

Ralph was born in Mission City, B.C., grew-up in Burnaby, and has lived in Belcarra since 1974. Ralph received his Bachelor of Science (Honours Chemistry) in 1971, and his Masters of Science (Inorganic Chemistry) in 1973, both degrees from Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C. Ralph has been married to his wife Carol for 44 years, and has a daughter Ryan Drew (husband Marco Antonio) and three grandsons who live in Coquitlam, British Columbia.

BOOKS:

Forest & Fjord: The History of Belcarra (2013) 978-0-9813113-02

Ferries & Fjord: The History of Indian Arm, its Ferries & Docks, Travelling Post Offices & Floating Grocery Stores (2015 Village of Belcarra)

[BCBW 2016]