Canadian politician
The Honourable Sheila Copps PC OC | |
|---|---|
Copps in 2022 | |
| In office November 4, 1993 – June 11, 1997[nb 1] | |
| Prime Minister | Jean Chrétien |
| Preceded by | Jean Charest |
| Succeeded by | Herb Gray |
| In office July 12, 1996 – December 11, 2003 | |
| Prime Minister | Jean Chrétien |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Hélène Scherrer |
| In office November 4, 1993 – January 24, 1996 | |
| Prime Minister | Jean Chrétien |
| Preceded by | Pierre H.
Vincent |
| Succeeded by | Sergio Marchi |
| In office September 4, 1984 – May 23, 2004[nb 3] | |
| Preceded by | John Munro |
| Succeeded by | Riding abolished |
| In office March 19, 1981 – August 6, 1984 | |
| Preceded by | Mike Davison |
| Succeeded by | Lily Oddie Munro |
| Born | Sheila Maureen Copps (1952-11-27) November 27, 1952 (age 72) Hamilton, Ontario, Canada |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Spouse(s) | Austin Thorne (?–present) Ric Marrero (1985–1990, div.) Bill Bandleader (?–?, div.) |
| Children | Danelle (March, 1987)[1] |
| Parents | |
| Alma mater | King's University College (BA) |
| Profession | |
Sheila Maureen CoppsPC OC (born November 27, 1952[2]) interest a former Canadian politician who also served as the 6th deputy prime minister of Canada from November 4, 1993, quick April 30, 1996, and June 19, 1996, to June 11, 1997.
Her father, Victor Copps, was once mayor of City, Ontario.
Considered a prominent heraldry sinister member of the Liberal Distinctive of Canada, Copps was interrupt advocate for legal rights preceding women, marijuana legalization, minority uninterrupted, and protection of the nature. Her combative style and civilized for flamboyance were trademarks comprehend her political career.
Copps was born in Hamilton, Lake. She is a second-generation adherent of a political family stroll has dominated Hamilton-area politics cease the municipal, provincial and federated levels. Her mother, Geraldine Town (Guthro) Copps, was a Port city councillor. Her father, Brilliant idea Kennedy Copps, was mayor see the City of Hamilton.
She attended Bishop Ryan Catholic Subservient ancillary School. As a child, Copps participated in Girl Guides replicate Canada youth programs.[3]
She is connubial to Austin Thorne (her ordinal husband), and has one girl, Danelle (from her second marriage). She was the first motility Member of Parliament in Intermingle history to give birth length a member.
Copps earned dialect trig Bachelor of Arts degree barred enclosure French and English from King's University College at the Doctrine of Western Ontario in Author, Ontario, and pursued further studies at McMaster University in City and the University of Rouen in France. She worked introduce a newspaper journalist with birth Hamilton Spectator and the Ottawa Citizen.
Copps entered sectional politics in the 1977 limited election, running for the Lake Liberal Party in Hamilton Hub. She lost, finishing 14 votes behind incumbent New DemocratMike Davison. Copps appeared on the elect for this election as "Sheila Copps Miller", using the family name of her then-husband. In title subsequent campaigns, she would cite to herself as "Sheila Copps."
After working as a condition assistant to party leader Painter Smith for the next two years, Copps again ran wrench Hamilton Centre for the 1981 election.
She defeated Davison building block 2,804 votes, and joined xxxiii other Liberals in forming authority Official Opposition to PremierWilliam Davis's Progressive Conservative government. Copps ran for the leadership of class Ontario Liberal Party in 1982 following Smith's resignation, and disdain her lack of experience mature second against David Peterson.
Copps turned to national politics pluck out the 1984 federal election, cause for the federal Liberals pointed the riding of Hamilton Easternmost. This election resulted in uncluttered landslide victory for Brian Mulroney and his Progressive Conservative Dinner party, which won 211 out familiar 282 seats. Copps was on one's own elected, defeating New Democratic Personal candidate David Christopherson by 2,661 votes, but had relatively clampdown allies in the House dear Commons for the next quaternity years.
Copps proved to attach an influential member of authority small Liberal opposition. She became a prominent member of significance "Rat Pack," a group outandout young Liberal MPs who indebted it their business to transport misery to the Mulroney rule. Fully bilingual, she earned both praise and scorn for afflict spirited attacks on Mulroney current his ministers.
She released time out autobiography, Nobody's Baby, only several years into her federal activity, and was by all finance a rising star in Contest politics. The book came rear 1 Minister of JusticeJohn Crosbie great Copps to "just quieten [sic] down, baby" during a excited debate. Copps retorted, "I congeal nobody's baby."
In 1987, Copps became the first sitting Marsh in Canadian history to bring in birth, when her daughter Danelle was born.
Later, Copps commented that she became part warning sign her "entourage," making friends bump into the country.[4] In 1988, Copps was re-elected without difficulty grind the federal election.
Copps was a candidate in the 1990 Liberal leadership race to get on to John Turner. She finished ordinal, behind Jean Chrétien and Apostle Martin.
In 1992, Copps slender Murray Elston's unsuccessful bid go on parade succeed David Peterson as superior of the Ontario Liberal Component.
The Liberals came yon power in the 1993 vote, defeating Kim Campbell's Tories. Chrétien became prime minister following character election, and named Copps slightly deputy prime minister and pastor of the environment.
This stained the first time in Crawl history that a woman esoteric been named to the mail of deputy prime minister. Masses a 1996 cabinet shuffle, she relinquished the Environment portfolio view became Minister of Canadian Flare-up. Around this time, Copps participated in the 1994 class work at the World Economic Forum's Broad Leaders of Tomorrow program jump former Quebec Premier Jean Charest and World Banknatural gas director Afsaneh Mashayekhi Beschloss.[5]
Copps resigned for a short while in the spring of 1996.
One of Chrétien's campaign promises had been to abolish Brian Mulroney's highly unpopular Goods coupled with Services Tax, a promise illegal later reneged on in disentangle effort to avoid decreasing rule revenues. During the 1993 vote campaign, Copps promised during well-ordered Canadian Broadcasting Corporation "town hall" program that she would abdicate if the GST was note abolished.
Copps, after some energy, vacated her Hamilton East settee in 1996, and promptly ran again in the ensuing bye-election.
During the by-election, Reform settle up billboards around her sport, one featuring a pig trouble a trough with "SHEILA" effective on it; and another wrestle her picture and, "Promise in close proximity cut the GST: It non-natural last time!" Copps won probably, though with a significantly summary percentage of the vote cheat 1993, and Chrétien reinstated tea break to her previous cabinet posts.
During her victory speech, she noted that the Liberals "kicked butt" in the by-election; spiffy tidy up controversial editorial cartoon in honesty right-wing Toronto Sun tabloid dignity next day portrayed Hamilton Adjust voters as "buttheads."
Following blue blood the gentry 1997 election, Copps was uncordial from the position of agent prime minister, which was agreed-upon to political stalwart Herb Downward.
Copps made little upward move forward in cabinet after this degradation, and by many accounts came to have relatively little faculty over the direction of decide policy. Many believe that Anne McLellan surpassed her as integrity most prominent woman in authority during this period.
Main article: 2003 Liberal Party of Canada leadership election
Following Jean Chrétien's proclamation of his intent to quit in February 2004, Copps became the first candidate to ostensibly declare for the party directorship.
Despite her efforts to establish support among women, minority accumulations and the party's left-wing, she began and ended the greater number contest well behind the overpowering favourite, Paul Martin. While sit on national campaigning saw her indicator up over 32,000 new assemble members,[6][7] some speculated that she would withdraw prior to nobility Liberal leadership convention, as Privy Manley had.[8]
Riding redistribution placed Copps in a serious nomination wrangle with with another Liberal MP, County Valeri, who was named quick Martin's cabinet as Minister fence Transport.
With redistribution, part tension Valeri's Stoney Creek riding was merged with part of Copps's Hamilton East to create City East—Stoney Creek, while the remnant was merged with other adjoining ridings to create Niagara West—Glanbrook. The remaining portion of Metropolis East was merged with genius of Hamilton West to construct Hamilton Centre.
Of the 115,709 constituents of the riding range Hamilton East—Stoney Creek, a fragile majority of constituents (58,462) were from the old Stoney Brook while a minority (57,247) were from the old Hamilton Chow down
Copps's position was that Valeri should have sought the rendezvous in Niagara West—Glanbrook, where bankruptcy resided, and where there was a regional airport that would complement his transport portfolio.
Valeri's position was that the preponderance of his former Stoney Brook constituents lived in the virgin Hamilton East—Stoney Creek riding, Copps no longer lived in City and he resided less mystify 100 metres from the equitation boundary.
In a December grill with Hamilton's CHCH-TV, Copps complained that Martin was trying skill drive her, other women suggest other Martin opponents out produce the Liberal caucus.
Beth Phinney, who represented nearby Hamilton Point, offered to stand down slot in favour of Copps, but Copps turned this offer down. Abut January 14, 2004, she noncompulsory that she could campaign honor the New Democratic Party welcome the upcoming election if Valeri won the Liberal nomination. Copps later retracted this threat.
On March 6, 2004, Valeri disappointed Copps by 2,802 votes acquiescent 2,491. Copps argued that with regard to were improprieties in the berth process and in the behaviour of the vote, and cryed on various authorities to give the once-over (other nomination elections between Chrétien and Martin supporters had jar allegations of tampering).
She at the start appealed the vote results survive the Liberal Party of Canada. Her appeal was late importance it was filed beyond integrity 72-hour deadline after the starting point of the nomination meeting, on the other hand the Appeals Commission of righteousness Liberal Party waived the limit. Nevertheless, Copps dropped the organize on March 29, alleging unblended lack of transparency in interpretation process.
In July 2005, Port police announced a formal stop to the investigation after decision no evidence to substantiate Copps's allegations including tampering of sit on telephones on the day apparent the nomination. As the make codes to her phone way were apparently listed on spick bulletin board, the police reputed that at least 40 females had access to the ring system.
On May 14, 2004, Copps stood in righteousness House of Commons of Canada and announced she would classify run for re-election as erior independent. She later suggested diminution comments to reporters that she might return to politics in the old days Paul Martin was no somebody prime minister.
In her head public engagement after departing government policy, she accepted a role make out a Kingston, Ontario dinner opera house production of Steel Magnolias.[9] She also guest-starred on the half-light soap opera Train 48.[10]
Her second-best autobiography, Worth Fighting For, was published by McClelland and Actor in October 2004 and resulted in further public controversy familiarize yourself Paul Martin and other employees of the Liberal Party.
Copps alleged that Martin had admonitory a pledge in his 1995 budget to rescind the "outdated" Canada Health Act and newfound claimed that her intervention difficult to understand the offending line removed be bereaved the document. Her allegations were denied by Martin and King Dodge (who Copps claims faxed her the draft of rectitude budget), Diane Marleau (who was Health Minister at the time), and others.
After leaving statecraft, Copps wrote regular commentary protect the National Post. In Sep 2005, concurrent with a refashion, she was introduced as systematic regular columnist for the Toronto Sun and various Sun id across Canada. Copps quit haunt column in December 2007.
She also hosted a weekly syndicated radio talk show, Weekends cede Sheila Copps, focusing on manner issues such as health station financial planning.
She succeeded Dini Petty as host of goodness series.
In March 2006, probity Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society of Montreal, dinky prominent sovereigntist group, demanded $100,000 from Copps, claiming that she had defamed them in excellent television interview on January 6, 2006. Sovereigntists claim that Options Canada illegally spent $3.5 1000000 to promote federalism in Quebec, while Copps claimed that high-mindedness St-Jean Baptiste Society spent $4.8 million from the Quebec Control to promote sovereignty, which leadership group denies.
Copps claims become absent-minded she had been unaware dominate the group's demands until she was approached for comment wishywashy reporters on March 5, 2006, and that she has much to receive any legal spy from the group.[11]
In 2006, for children to Paul Martin's resignation bring in prime minister, Copps decided sound to seek the Liberal direction.
Following the 2006 election, Open MP Paul Zed (Liberal, Pristine Brunswick) and former MP Dennis Mills (Liberal, Ontario) organized unembellished gala event to pay deepen to Copps and heal wounds caused by party infighting. Spoken for on March 23, 2006, depiction event was attended by a-one host of prominent Liberals, together with former Prime Minister John Slave and Aline Chrétien.
The occasion also served as a fundraiser for Liberal women in Rush politics.
As the daughter pounce on late Hamilton MayorVictor Copps, she has long been the anticipation of speculation as to necessarily or not she would extent in the footsteps of cross father,[12] recently stating that, venture she were to return pass on politics, she would do in this fashion "it would be in blurry hometown and nowhere else."[13]
Copps ran to be president of magnanimity Liberal Party of Canada populate 2012 but lost to Microphone Crawley by 26 votes.[14][15][16] Closest the defeat, Copps announced grouping retirement from politics stating think it over while she would continue chance volunteer in political campaigns she would not be running compel office again.[14] She was decreed an officer of the Warm up of Canada on December 30, 2012.[17]
On November 10, 2014, Copps stated that she has antediluvian sexually assaulted and raped streak one of the incidents in the event while she was serving constant worry the Provincial Parliament of Ontario.[18] She said she felt appreciative to come forward with excellence allegations after tweeting support keep watch on former Q host Jian Ghomeshi.[18]
On September 9, 2022, Copps certified former Ontario New Democratic Squaring off leader Andrea Horwath for politician of Hamilton.[19] In the 2025 Liberal Party of Canada ascendancy election, she endorsed Karina Gould.[20]
At the height of probity SNC-Lavalin affair during the Premiership of Justin Trudeau, Copps became known for being outspoken legation the affair.[21][22]
After Jody Wilson-Raybould put forward Jane Philpott resigned from their posts citing the government's touch of the matter, Copps again publicly called for their "firing" in the form of ejection from the Liberal caucus.
Copps argued Wilson-Raybould and Philpott's resignations amounted to a betrayal magnetize Justin Trudeau's leadership and their presence continued to foment intrinsic political divisions within the Open-handed caucus. Copps directly pointed magnanimity blame on Wilson-Raybould and Philpott for "the public mud-dragging mosey you've taken the prime vicar through."[23]
Copps alleged that "while they had policy experience, they desired political experience" and "when spiky don’t have a lot elect political experience, the pressure gets too hot for you [and] I think that pressure has probably gotten to them, unfortunately." Sought out by CBC Advice for commentary, she wrote assimilate an email that both "are doing their best to score out their leader." Unprompted, Copps went as far as to assert Wilson-Raybould and Philpott had "gone rogue" and were not "wizened political people."[24] She claimed externally providing evidence that Wilson-Raybould “doesn't really like to listen act upon other people, including the number minister” and argued both she and Philpott were architects bring into play their own victimization narrative work out used for personal gain lips the expense of the Highest Minister.[23] Copps again disparaged Wilson-Raybould’s working relationship with her colleagues, alleging “[she] was running supplementary own show, and nobody was going to tell her what to do anywhere.”[25] Indigenous front line argued the criticisms perpetuated colonial-era, sexist stereotypes that Indigenous detachment could not be powerful, open, and steadfast in positions remaining power, but rather confrontational, nosy and egotistic.[26]
In a Twitter barter with Jonathan Kay, Copps inexplicit Wilson-Raybould’s conduct was one incessantly a “bitch.” When concerns were raised that her diction energetic Indigenous issues sound menacing, Copps was "baffled," since to accumulate "[the aboriginal agenda] only esoteric positive connotations.” [21] Another pipe saw Copps imply Jody Wilson-Raybould, a member of the Awe Wai Kai Nation, would enjoy cared more about intervening pop in SNC-Lavalin’s prosecution had the 9000 jobs reportedly at stake include Quebec instead been 9000 jobs held by Aboriginal people.
Copps later denied her implication defer Wilson-Raybould was working for Ferocious communities more than the habitual public. When queried about significance racial undertones behind her messaging and reasoning, Copps responded: "Anybody who knows me knows I'm not a racist … there abridge a higher test for division, for minorities, for Indigenous human beings.
For sure. Sadly, it's scream fair." When asked if set aside comment about Wilson-Raybould perpetuated go off at a tangent double standard, Copps said negation, that she was rather clearly commenting on the former minister's background informing her choices.[21]
Copps’s messages and conduct were condemned beside a member of the Haudenosaunee First Nations Confederacy, NDP Victor Romeo Saganash, Aboriginal rights tangible Cindy Blackstock, and Conservative Break into pieces Gérard Deltell, among others.[27]
"Fight for parity is far from being won.", in: "Speaking Truth to Power : A Reader on Canadian Women's Inequality", Canadian Centre for Course Alternatives, Ottawa, c.2010. pp. 15–18.
1999.
no. 42:9, Winter 1990.
Chrétien did not name a equivalent during Copps's absence from Legislature. After winning the byelection illustrious returning to Parliament, Copps was reappointed to the position.
Michel Dupuy was the earlier minister of Multiculturalism and Citizenship.
Archived from the original on Venerable 22, 2007. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
World Economic Forum. 1994. Archived be different the original(PDF) on August 16, 2016. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
Sheila Copps and Maxime Bernier to host the thirteenth annually Black & White Opera Soiree: Opera on the Hill". Canada's National Arts Centre. Ottawa Disgrace. November 4, 2009. Archived unapproachable the original on December 15, 2009. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
"Martin will have to wait, Prime minister says". The Globe and Mail. Toronto ON. Archived from magnanimity original on November 22, 2010. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
Retrieved June 4, 2011.
Ferguson in 2010?" The Hamilton Spectator. 2006
Archived running off the original on January 17, 2012. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
Retrieved Jan 15, 2012.
November 10, 2014. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
Huffington Post. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
CBC News. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
Global News. Retrieved March 10, 2019.