Janet Elizabeth Erasmus

1951-2026

For Janet Erasmus, life before law was varied. After a first degree in English and Biology in 1972 (with distinction) from the University of Victoria, Janet spent the next 12 years in work that ranged from park naturalist to jade driller to high school teacher to professional ballet-jazz dancer to oceanographic chemistry technician. She returned to UVic in 1983, obtaining her Bachelor of Laws (as the top student in her final year) in 1986. Janet took a year after law school to clerk for the B.C. Supreme Court, then articled in the B.C. Ministry of Attorney General, and was called to the Bar and joined the Office of Legislative Counsel in 1988. Janet took on the position of Chief Legislative Counsel for a time, before returning to the legislative drafting role as Senior Legislative Counsel, and retired in 2021 (after 33 years).

Although most work of the Office of Legislative Counsel is done anonymously, Janet was awarded a Queen’s Jubilee Medal in 2003 with particular recognition of her work in developing the then-new B.C. Community Charter, and was honored with a Queen’s Counsel appointment in 2010.

In addition to working within the B.C. Office of Legislative Counsel, Janet has participated in a CIDA project to develop legislative drafting expertise for the National Assembly of Vietnam and, in 2003, did a work exchange with the Australian federal Office of Parliamentary Counsel in Canberra. She served for two terms as Vice President of the Commonwealth Association of Legislative Counsel, two terms (as Board member and Vice Chair) with the Board of Governors for the University of Victoria, and served on the Board of the Victoria Foundation.

Janet was committed to promoting the use of plain language writing in legislation. Her work has contributed to British Columbia being recognized as a Commonwealth leader in the development of readable legislation.

Janet and Mark (Yunker) were married in 1986 at their house in Brentwood Bay and their son Lars was born in 1987. Lars married Philomena in 2017, and sons Hudson and Miles were born in 2020 and 2025. Janet was a loving wife and life companion for Mark, loving mother to Lars and his wife Philomena, and simply delighted in being Oma (grandma) to her two grandsons. Janet was very close to her sister Laurie all her life. In addition to the family named above, she is survived by her sisters Donna, Cathy and Karen, her brothers Ronald and Ian and was predeceased by her brother Stephen.

Janet was a joyful, skilled folk dancer, and an excellent dance teacher. She was also a remarkable outdoors woman, underwater hockey player and scuba diver, a naturalist and keen bird observer, an accomplished artist using paint and textiles, an orchid whisperer and an amazing cook.

Janet developed Alzheimer’s disease as a consequence of sustaining a concussion. The Alzheimer’s developed slowly at first and she and Mark were able to take a number of international birding trips and cruises together during those years. In spring 2025 it became apparent that Janet needed more care and she moved to Sidney All Care Residence just before Canada Day. There she had excellent care, wonderful caregivers and participated in activity programs. She enjoyed time with family and friends until the end of her life, often joining in on sing-alongs and impromptu bedside folk dances. Janet was found unresponsive on the morning of December 29, was transferred to Saanich Peninsula Hospital, and died peacefully in the early morning of January 1, 2026, at the age of 74. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

The family would like to thank the medical staff and caregivers at Sidney All Care Residence and Saanich Peninsula Hospital for their kind and compassionate care of Janet. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the medical charity of your choice. A Celebration of Life for Janet will be held at 2 PM on February 6, 2026 at First Memorial Funeral Services, 4725 Falaise Drive, Victoria B.C.