Bill Blaikie Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
The Hon. Rev. William Alexander (Bill) Blaikie (born June 19, 1951 in Winnipeg, Manitoba) is a Canadian politician and prominent member of the social democratic New Democratic Party.
Blaikie was employed as a labourer with the Canadian National Railway from 1969 to 1974. He subsequently received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies from the University of Winnipeg, and a Master's Degree in Divinity from Emmanuel College in Toronto. He is a minister in the United Church of Canada, preaching the social gospel in the tradition of other prominent ministers in the CCF (the NDP's predecessor) and NDP such as Tommy Douglas, J.S. Woodsworth, M.J. Coldwell and Stanley Knowles.
Blaikie was first elected to the House of Commons in 1979 (defeating incumbent Progressive Conservative MP Dean Whiteway) and has been re-elected in his Winnipeg riding in every election since. His closest election was in 1993, when he defeated Liberal candidate Art Miki by 219 votes during a period of reduced popularity for the party. Between 1993 and 1997, he was the only New Democratic member of parliament to represent a riding east of Saskatchewan.
As a candidate in the 2003 NDP leadership election, Blaikie placed second to Jack Layton. As Layton was without a seat in parliament, Blaikie acted as the New Democratic Party's parliamentary leader until the 2004 Canadian election.
In the NDP's shadow cabinet, Blaikie is currently Deputy Leader and Critic for Health and National Defence.
Blaikie is one of the most prominent supporters of the Clarity Act in the New Democratic Party caucus, a position which places him at odds with party leader Jack Layton. He was also a vocal opponent of the Iraq War, and is currently a leading opponent of the proposed Canada-US Missile Defence Shield.
Blaikie's daughter Rebecca Blaikie stood for the NDP against Prime Minister Paul Martin in his constituency of LaSalle-Emard in Montreal in the 2004 election.
| Preceded by: federal riding created in 2003 | Member of Parliament for Elmwood%97Transcona (2004-present) | Succeeded by: (Incumbent) |
| Preceded by: federal riding created in 1996 | Member of Parliament for Winnipeg—Transcona (1997-2004) | Succeeded by: federal riding abolished in 2003 |
| Preceded by: federal riding created in 1987 | Member of Parliament for Winnipeg Transcona (1988-1997) | Succeeded by: federal riding abolished in 1996 |
| Preceded by: federal riding created in 1976 | Member of Parliament for Winnipeg—Birds Hill (1979-1988) | Succeeded by: federal riding abolished in 1987 |
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