Wikipedia

Hedy Fry

Hedy Madeleine Fry, PC MP (born August 6, 1941) is a Canadian politician and physician who is currently the longest-serving female Member of Parliament,[1] winning ten consecutive elections in the constituency of Vancouver Centre including the 1993 election, when she defeated incumbent Prime Minister Kim Campbell.

The Honourable
Hedy Fry
PC MP
Fry in 2011
Member of Parliament
for Vancouver Centre
Incumbent
Assumed office
October 25, 1993
Preceded byKim Campbell
Chairwoman of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage
Incumbent
Assumed office
February 4, 2016
MinisterMélanie Joly
Preceded byGord Brown
Chairwoman of the Standing Committee on
Status of Women
In office
5 February 2009 – 20 June 2011
MinisterRona Ambrose
Preceded byYasmin Ratansi
Succeeded byNiki Ashton
Personal details
Born (1941-08-06) August 6, 1941 (age 83)
San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago
Political partyLiberal
RelationsPete Fry (son)
Residence(s)Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
ProfessionPhysician

Early life and career

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Fry was born in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago. She is of Scottish, Spanish, Indian, and Chinese ancestry.[2] After declining an English Literature scholarship to Oxford, Fry earned her equivalent of a BA in Science in one year and then went on to receive her medical training at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland.[1] She immigrated to Canada in 1970 and established a practice in Vancouver.

Fry worked at St. Paul's Hospital (Vancouver) for 23 years. She served as president of the British Columbia Federation of Medical Women in 1977. She was president of the Vancouver Medical Association in 1988–89, the BC Medical Association in 1990–91, and chaired the Canadian Medical Association's Multiculturalism Committee in 1992–9. She volunteered as a Tawny Owl as a member of the Girl Guides of Canada, leading a Brownie group.[3] Fry was also a host on the nationally televised CBC show Doctor Doctor.

Federal politics

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Fry sought and won the Liberal Party nomination for Vancouver Centre for the 1993 federal election over lawyer David Varty and college lecturer John Lang in March 1993. She was elected to the House of Commons of Canada, defeating Progressive Conservative Prime Minister Kim Campbell. Fry was only the fifth person to unseat a sitting prime minister, and the first to do so on his or her first try for office. Fry has been re-elected in every subsequent election (1997, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2021).

Chretien and Martin governments

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She served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Health and Welfare from 1993 until 1996 when she was appointed to the Cabinet as Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and Status of Women. Fry apologized to the people of Prince George, B.C. after she said in the House of Commons that “crosses are being burned on lawns as we speak”.[4] Fry did not remain a minister after cabinet was shuffled in 2002.

When Paul Martin became Prime Minister of Canada at the end of 2003, he made her Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration with special emphasis on Foreign Credentials. After the 2004 election, she was named Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development with special emphasis on the Internationally Trained Workers Initiative.

In opposition

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In 2006, she beat high-profile NDP activist and former MP Svend Robinson and in 2008 she defeated high-profile Conservative Lorne Mayencourt. On May 4, 2006, Fry became the 11th person, 3rd woman, and the only Westerner to officially enter the Liberal party leadership race. Fry launched her leadership campaign saying that Canada's diversity is its greatest competitive advantage - "our weapon of mass inclusion" - and called for a "non-ideological" approach to problem solving. She withdrew from the contest on September 25 and announced her support for Bob Rae.

Re-elected in Vancouver Centre for a sixth term in 2008, Fry was appointed the Official Opposition Critic for Canadian Heritage. On November 21, 2008, Liberal leadership candidate Bob Rae announced that Fry would serve as his Campaign Co-Chair in British Columbia.

Fry was re-elected in 2011 by a margin of approximately 2,000 votes.[5] When the Liberals lost power in 2006, Fry was named as Critic for Sport Canada in the Liberal shadow cabinet. In 2011, as the Liberals lost their designation as Official Opposition, Fry was named Liberal Critic for Health.

Trudeau government

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In the 2015 election, Fry won her riding once more, becoming the oldest Canadian MP and the longest serving female MP. During the 42nd Parliament, she was appointed to the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians, which provides oversight to Canada's security services and requires a Top Secret security clearance.[6]

In the 2019 Election, Fry once again won her riding for a 9th consecutive term.[7] She currently serves as the Special Representative for Gender Issues at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's Parliamentary Assembly, a role she has held since 2010. Fry is also a member of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, and the Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic. [8]

Family

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Fry has three adult sons and four grandchildren. Her eldest son, Pete Fry, was elected to Vancouver City Council in the 2018 municipal election.

Electoral record

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2021 Canadian federal election: Vancouver Centre
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Hedy Fry 20,873 40.44 −1.74 $87,773.26
New Democratic Breen Ouellette 15,869 30.74 +7.00 $80,950.83
Conservative Harry Cockell 11,162 21.62 +2.35 $20,505.00
Green Alaric Paivarinta 2,030 3.93 −8.59 $8,967.42
People's Taylor Singleton-Fookes 1,683 3.27 +1.98 $3,574.44
Total valid votes/expense limit 51,617 99.19 – $119,443.50
Total rejected ballots 422 0.81 +0.16
Turnout 52,039 57.01 −4.04
Eligible voters 91,276
Liberal hold Swing −4.37
Source: Elections Canada[9][10]
2019 Canadian federal election: Vancouver Centre
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Hedy Fry 23,599 42.18 −13.90 $90,613.92
New Democratic Breen Ouellette 13,280 23.74 +3.72 $35,726.92
Conservative David Cavey 10,782 19.27 +2.36 $32,539.03
Green Jesse Brown 7,002 12.52 +6.71 $28,503.30
People's Louise Kierans 724 1.29 – $4,907.84
Libertarian John Clarke 379 0.68 −0.38 $0.00
Independent Lily Bowman 142 0.25 – none listed
Independent Imtiaz Popat 38 0.07 – $0.00
Total valid votes/expense limit 55,946 99.35
Total rejected ballots 364 0.65 +0.22
Turnout 56,310 61.05 −4.85
Eligible voters 92,243
Liberal hold Swing −8.81
Source: Elections Canada[11][12]
2015 Canadian federal election: Vancouver Centre
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Hedy Fry 32,554 56.08 +25.06 $126,090.21
New Democratic Constance Barnes 11,618 20.01 −6.34 $102,184.82
Conservative Elaine Allan 9,818 16.91 −9.14 $84,492.99
Green Lisa Barrett 3,370 5.81 −9.27 $45,728.01
Libertarian John Clarke 614 1.06 +0.53 –
Marxist–Leninist Michael Hill 74 0.13 +0.02 –
Total valid votes/expense limit 58,048 99.58   $224,575.59
Total rejected ballots 247 0.42 –
Turnout 58,295 65.89 –
Eligible voters 88,470
Liberal hold Swing +15.70
Source: Elections Canada[13][14]
2011 Canadian federal election: Vancouver Centre
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Hedy Fry 18,260 31.03 −3.47
New Democratic Karen Shillington 15,325 26.04 +4.73
Conservative Jennifer Clarke 15,323 26.04 +0.95
Green Adriane Carr 9,089 15.44 −2.87
Libertarian John Clarke 313 0.53 −0.07
Progressive Canadian Michael Huenefeld 285 0.48 –
Pirate Travis McCrea 192 0.33 –
Marxist–Leninist Michael Hill 62 0.11 −0.05
Total valid votes 58,849 100.0  
Total rejected ballots 134 0.23
Turnout 58,983 59.23
Eligible voters 99,527
Liberal hold Swing −4.10
2008 Canadian federal election: Vancouver Centre
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Hedy Fry 19,506 34.50 −9.37 $80,974
Conservative Lorne Mayencourt 14,188 25.09 +4.73 $91,239
New Democratic Michael Byers 12,047 21.31 −7.34 $85,957
Green Adriane Carr 10,354 18.31 +12.43 $82,713
Libertarian John Clarke 340 0.60 +0.07 $0
Marxist–Leninist Michael Hill 94 0.16
Total valid votes/expense limit 56,529 100.0     $94,404
Liberal hold Swing −7.05
2006 Canadian federal election: Vancouver Centre
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Hedy Fry 25,013 43.80 +3.50 $77,826
New Democratic Svend Robinson 16,374 28.67 −3.62 $84,170
Conservative Tony Fogarassy 11,684 20.46 +1.26 $86,591
Green Jared Evans 3,340 5.84 −0.94 $1,008
Libertarian John Clarke 304 0.53 −0.04
Marijuana HeathCliff Dion Campbell 259 0.45 – $115
Christian Heritage Joe Pal 130 0.22 −0.24 $389
Total valid votes 57,104 100.0  
Total rejected ballots 163 0.28 −0.15
Turnout 57,267 62.06 +0.59
Liberal hold Swing +3.56
2004 Canadian federal election: Vancouver Centre
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Hedy Fry 21,280 40.30 −2.00 $66,619
New Democratic Kennedy Stewart 17,050 32.29 +20.25 $57,675
Conservative Gary Mitchell 10,139 19.20 −18.70 $73,789
Green Robbie Mattu 3,580 6.78 +2.85 $2,440
Libertarian John Clarke 304 0.57 – $60
Christian Heritage Joe Pal 243 0.46 – $389
Canadian Action Alexander Frei 101 0.19 −1.08 $100
Communist Kimball Cariou 96 0.18 +0.01 $389
Total valid votes 52,793 100.0  
Total rejected ballots 226 0.43 −0.05
Turnout 53,019 61.47 0.97
Liberal hold Swing −11.12
Change for the Conservatives is based on the combined totals of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservatives.
2000 Canadian federal election: Vancouver Centre
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Hedy Fry 24,553 42.30 +1.54 $69,017
Alliance John Mortimer 15,176 26.14 +3.56 $68,158
New Democratic Scott Robertson 6,993 12.04 −8.83 $8,841
Progressive Conservative Lee Johnson 6,828 11.76 +2.52 $4,047
Green Jamie Lee Hamilton 2,285 3.93 +0.93 $3,945
Marijuana Marc Emery 1,116 1.92 –
Canadian Action Jeff Jewell 742 1.27 +0.24 $547
Natural Law Valerie Laporte 177 0.30 −0.12 $40
Communist Kimball Cariou 99 0.17 – $189
Marxist–Leninist Joseph Theriault 75 0.12 −0.10 $364
Total valid votes 58,044 100.0  
Total rejected ballots 280 0.48 −0.05
Turnout 58,324 60.50 −4.22
Liberal hold Swing −1.01
Change for the Canadian Alliance is based on the Reform Party.
1997 Canadian federal election: Vancouver Centre
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Hedy Fry 20,878 40.76 +9.57 $54,905
Reform Richard Farbridge 11,567 22.58 +5.12 $24,846
New Democratic Bill Siksay 10,690 20.87 +5.69 $27,133
Progressive Conservative Victoria Minnes 4,736 9.24 −15.81 $43,121
Green Paul Alexander 1,541 3.00 +2.05 $2,154
Independent Joseph Roberts 728 1.42 – $6,163
Canadian Action Connie Fogal 528 1.03 – $12,986
Natural Law John Cowhig 217 0.42 −0.62
Independent John Clarke 125 0.24 – $2,687
Marxist–Leninist Joseph Theriault 116 0.22 – $559
Independent Elvis Flostrand 92 0.17 – $699
Total valid votes 51,218 100.0  
Total rejected ballots 272 0.53
Turnout 51,490 64.72
Liberal hold Swing +2.22
1993 Canadian federal election: Vancouver Centre
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Hedy Fry 19,310 31.19 +8.38
Progressive Conservative Kim Campbell 15,510 25.05 −12.19
Reform Ian Isbister 10,808 17.46 +16.08
New Democratic Betty Baxter 9,397 15.18 −21.63
National Thorsten Ewald 4,949 7.99 –
Natural Law John Cowhig 643 1.04 –
Green Imtiaz Popat 586 0.95 +0.14
Christian Heritage Darren Lowe 242 0.39 –
Libertarian Tunya Audain 220 0.36 +0.11
Independent Brian Godzilla Gnu Salmi 114 0.18 –
Independent Scott Adams 83 0.13 −0.07
Commonwealth of Canada Lucille Boikoff 25 0.04 –
Independent Peter C. Nuthall 24 0.04 –
Total valid votes 61,911 100.0  
Liberal gain from Progressive Conservative Swing +10.28

References

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  1. ^ a b Hume, Stephen (March 20, 2017). "Canada 150: 'Underestimate Hedy Fry at your peril'". Vancouver Sun.
  2. ^ @hedyfry (2011-04-05). "#netculture Great event. Trying to figure out my ethnic background. How's east-indian, chinese, scottish, spanish?" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  3. ^ "Hedy Fry, "Guide and Scout Week" on Feb. 19th, 2003 | openparliament.ca". openparliament.ca. Retrieved 2018-11-30.
  4. ^ "Minister apologizes for cross burning remarks". CBC News. 22 March 2001. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  5. ^ Lazaruk, S. (2011-05-03). "Fry breezes by NDP and Tory candidates". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved May 3, 2011.[permanent dead link‍]
  6. ^ "Prime Minister announces new National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians". Prime Minister of Canada. 2017-11-06. Retrieved 2019-12-05.
  7. ^ Tasker, John Paul (22 October 2015). "Meet the Class of 2015: Notable rookies headed to Parliament Hill". CBC News. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  8. ^ "Hedy Fry appointed new Special Representative on Gender Issues". www.oscepa.org. Retrieved 2019-12-05.
  9. ^ "Confirmed candidates — Vancouver Centre". Elections Canada. 1 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  10. ^ "Candidate Campaign Returns". Elections Canada. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  11. ^ "List of confirmed candidates". Elections Canada. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  12. ^ "Official Voting Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  13. ^ Elections Canada – Confirmed candidates for Vancouver Centre, 30 September 2015
  14. ^ Elections Canada – Preliminary Election Expenses Limits for Candidates
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26th Ministry – Cabinet of Jean Chrétien
Sub-Cabinet Post
Predecessor Title Successor
Sheila Finestone Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women)
(1996–2002) 		Jean Augustine
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