Bev Desjarlais (born August 19, 1955) is a Canadian politician. She represented Churchill in the Canadian House of Commons from 1997 to 2006, initially as a New Democrat and later as an Independent after losing her party's nomination in late 2005. She now works as parliamentary aide to Conservative Veterans Affairs Minister Greg Thompson.^[1] August 19 is the 231st day of the year (232nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Churchill is a Canadian electoral district covering northern Manitoba. ... The House of Commons (French: Chambre des communes) is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign (represented by the Governor General) and the Senate. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII in Roman) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The New Democratic Party (NDP) is a political party in Canada with a social democratic philosophy and moderate democratic socialist tendencies that contests elections at both the federal and provincial levels. ... The Conservative Party of Canada (French: Parti conservateur du Canada), colloquially known as the Tories, is a right-of-centre political party in Canada, formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in December 2003. ... The position of Minister of Veterans Affairs was created in 1944. ... Gregory Francis Thompson (born March 28, 1947 in St. ...

Early life and career

Desjarlais was born in Regina, Saskatchewan. She graduated from Bert Fox Composite High School in 1973, and held several positions at the General Hospital in Thompson, Manitoba over the next twenty-four years. At the time of her election, she was a ward clerk.^[2] Desjarlais has also been a union steward with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, and is a member of Canadian Parents for French.
Motto: Nickname: The Queen City Motto: Floreat Regina (Let Regina Flourish) Established: 1882 Area: 118. ... Motto: Multis E Gentibus Vires (Latin: From many peoples, strength) Official languages English (but legally required to provide some services in French) Capital Regina Largest city Saskatoon Lieutenant-Governor Lynda M. Haverstock Premier Lorne Calvert (NDP) Parliamentary representation  - House seat  - Senate seats 14 6 Area Total  â€¢ Land  â€¢ Water    (% of total... 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday. ... Thompson, Manitoba is a city in Manitoba. ... Motto: Gloriosus et Liber (Latin: Glorious and free) Official languages English (some French services are provided, but French does not have official status at the provincial level) Capital Winnipeg Largest city Winnipeg Lieutenant-Governor John Harvard Premier Gary Doer (NDP) Parliamentary representation  - House seat  - Senate seats 14 6 Area Total...

Her political career began in 1992, when she was elected as a trustee for the Mystery Lake School Division. She became chair of the board in 1994, and served until her election to parliament in 1997.^[3] 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ... Mystery Lake is a local government district in northern Manitoba, encompassing the city of Thompson. ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International year of the Family. ...

Member of Parliament

New Democratic Party MP

Desjarlais challenged Liberal incumbent Elijah Harper for Churchill in the 1997 federal election. Although Harper had gained national fame in 1990 for blocking passage of the Meech Lake Accord, he was not a prominent Member of Parliament. Desjarlais won by 2,764 votes, and joined twenty other New Democrats on the opposition benches. Her opposition to the Canadian gun registry was likely a contributing factor to her victory, as the registry was unpopular in rural Manitoba.^[4]
The Liberal Party of Canada (French: Parti libéral du Canada), colloquially known as the Grits (originally Clear Grits), is a Canadian federal political party positioned around the centre of the political spectrum, combining a generally progressive social policy with moderate economics. ... Elijah Harper (born March 3, 1949) is a Aboriginal Cree Canadian politician and band chief. ... 36th Parliament The Canadian federal election of 1997 was held on June 2, 1997, to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons. ... This article is about the year. ... The Meech Lake Accord was a set of failed constitutional amendments to the Constitution of Canada negotiated by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and the provincial premiers, including Robert Bourassa, premier of Quebec. ... A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters of an electoral district to a parliament; in the Westminster system, specifically to the lower house. ... The Canadian gun registry is a government-run registry of all legally-owned guns in Canada. ...

She held several official responsibilities in the 36th Canadian parliament, including serving as her party's critic for housing and the Treasury Board.^[5] In the latter capacity, she was a prominent supporter of pay equity policies to benefit Canadian women. Desjarlais was also chosen as her party's representative on the Commons Transport Committee, and held this position for several years.^[6] She defeated Harper again in the 2000 election, and was appointed NDP Industry Critic in the following parliament.^[7]
The 36th Canadian parliament was in session from 1997 until 2000. ... Equal pay for women is an issue involving pay inequality between men and women. ... The 2000 Canadian federal election was held on November 27, 2000. ...

In 2001, she participated in a military training exercise to educate parliamentarians about the Canadian Armed Forces. Desjarlais joined the Canadian Air Force for a week, and took part in a search and rescue exercise in Northern Ontario.^[8] She later supported fellow Manitoba MP Bill Blaikie's campaign to become NDP leader in 2002-03.^[9] Blaikie finished second against Jack Layton.
2001: A Space Odyssey. ... The Canadian Forces (CF) (Fr: Forces canadiennes (FC)) are the combined branches of the military of Canada. ... The RCAF Roundel is based on that of the British Royal Air Force with a maple leaf, a symbol of Canada in the centre. ... Northern Ontario is the part of the province of Ontario, Canada, which lies north of Lake Huron, Georgian Bay, the French River and Lake Nipissing. ... The Honourable Rev. ... For the Cusco album, see 2002 (album). ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Hon. ...

Desjarlais was re-elected in the 2004 election over a strong challenge from Liberal candidate Ron Evans. After the election, she was named NDP critic for Transport, Crown Corporations and the Canadian Wheat Board. In early 2005, former Assembly of First Nations National Chief Ovide Mercredi announced that he would challenge Desjarlais for the NDP nomination in Churchill.^[10] He later withdrew the challenge. The Canadian federal election, 2004 (more formally, the 38th general election), was held on June 28, 2004 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons. ... Ron Evans (born 1957 in Norway House, Manitoba) is a clergyman and politician in Manitoba, Canada. ... In Commonwealth countries a Crown corporation is a state-controlled company or enterprise (a public corporation). ... The Canadian Wheat Board (known at times as the Canada Wheat Board) was established by the Parliament of Canada in 1935 as a producer marketing system for wheat and barley. ... The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is a body of Aboriginal leaders in Canada. ...

Policy views

Desjarlais was one of the more socially conservative members of the federal NDP, and when in caucus was by far its most socially conservative member. She was the only New Democrat to vote against Bill C-38, which legalized same-sex marriage in Canada, on its third and final reading in 2005. Her position placed her in conflict with both official NDP policy and party leader Jack Layton, who described same-sex marriage as a human rights issue and ruled that caucus members would not be permitted a free vote on matters of equality.^[11]
Social conservatism is a belief in traditional morality and social mores and the desire to preserve these in present day society, often through civil law or regulation. ... The Civil Marriage Act (full title: An Act respecting certain aspects of legal capacity for marriage for civil purposes) was introduced as Bill C-38 in the first session of the 38th Canadian Parliament on February 1, 2005. ... Same-sex marriage was legalized across Canada by the Civil Marriage Act enacted on July 20, 2005. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Desjarlais argued that her position was based on personal religious convictions, and was not grounded in homophobia.^[12] She acknowledged as early as 2003 that opposing same-sex marriage was contrary to NDP policy, and accepted that "discipline may take place" as a result.^[13] She was relieved of her parliamentary responsibilities after the 2005 vote on C-38.^[14]
The term homophobia means a fear of or contempt for homosexuality or homosexuals or the fear of becoming homosexual. ...

On other issues, her views were closer to official NDP policy. She is a strong defender of the rights of labour and public health care,^[15] and supports the principle of aboriginal self-government.^[16]

Independent MP

On October 17, 2005, Desjarlais lost the Churchill NDP nomination to Niki Ashton, daughter of Manitoba cabinet minister Steve Ashton.^[17] She resigned from the NDP caucus on the same day, and announced she would run as an Independent in the next federal election.^[18] She acknowledged that her position on same-sex marriage was a prominent factor in her defeat. October 17 is the 290th (in leap years the 291st) day of the year according to the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Niki Ashton is a Thompson, Manitoba resident and traveler who is represented the social democratic New Democratic Party in the Churchill riding for the Canadian federal election, 2006, where she finished second. ... Steve Ashton (born February 29, 1956 in Surrey, England) is a politician in Manitoba, Canada. ...

Desjarlais was endorsed on January 5, 2006 by Vote Marriage Canada, a group which opposes same-sex marriage.^[19] She finished third, behind Ashton and Liberal candidate Tina Keeper. January 5 is the 5th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Vote Marriage Canada is a socially conservative political pressure group in Canada, started by former Members of Parliament Pat OBrien (Liberal) and Grant Hill (Conservative) in 2005. ... Tina Keeper (b. ...

After defeat

After her defeat, Desjarlais took a job in Ottawa as Director of Parliamentary Affairs in the office of Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans' Affairs in the Conservative government of Stephen Harper.^[20] The reaction from her former NDP colleagues was mixed. Caucus Chair Judy Wasylycia-Leis described her decision as "mind-boggling and very disappointing", and commented that it was "hard to understand how Bev could have gone from being an active New Democrat to actually supporting and upholding the Stephen Harper agenda". Veterans Affairs critic Peter Stoffer said that he was "very, very pleased" and "happy for her", and that she and Thompson would "work well together".^[21] Gregory Francis Thompson (born March 28, 1947 in St. ... The position of Minister of Veterans Affairs was created in 1944. ... The Conservative Party of Canada (French: Parti conservateur du Canada), colloquially known as the Tories, is a right-of-centre political party in Canada, formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in December 2003. ... Stephen Harper (born April 30, 1959) is the 22nd Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. ... Judy Wasylycia-Leis (born August 10, 1951) is a Canadian politician. ... Peter Arend Stoffer (born January 6, 1956 in Heerlen, Limburg, Netherlands) is a Canadian politician. ...

Although working for a Conservative cabinet minister, Desjarlais is not currently a member of any political party.

Table of offices held

Elijah Harper (born March 3, 1949) is a Aboriginal Cree Canadian politician and band chief. ... The House of Commons (French: Chambre des communes) is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign (represented by the Governor General) and the Senate. ... Churchill is a Canadian electoral district covering northern Manitoba. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII in Roman) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Tina Keeper (b. ...

External links

• Official site
• How'd They Vote?: Bev Desjarlais' voting history and quotes

Electoral record

All electoral information is taken from Elections Canada. Italicized expenditures refer to submitted totals, and are presented when the final reviewed totals are not available. The 2006 Canadian federal election (more formally, the 39th General Election) was held on January 23, 2006, to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons. ... Churchill is a Canadian electoral district covering northern Manitoba. ... The Liberal Party of Canada (French: Parti libéral du Canada), colloquially known as the Grits (originally Clear Grits), is a Canadian federal political party positioned around the centre of the political spectrum, combining a generally progressive social policy with moderate economics. ... Tina Keeper (b. ... The New Democratic Party (NDP) is a political party in Canada with a social democratic philosophy and moderate democratic socialist tendencies that contests elections at both the federal and provincial levels. ... ... The Conservative Party of Canada (French: Parti conservateur du Canada), colloquially known as the Tories, is a right-of-centre political party in Canada, formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in December 2003. ... The Conservative Party of Canada is intending to run a full slate of 308 candidates in the 2006 Canadian federal election. ... The Green Party of Canada is a federal political party in Canada. ... The Green Party of Canada is intending to run a full slate of 308 candidates in the 2006 Canadian federal election. ... There were several independent candidates in the 2006 Canadian federal election, representing a variety of political viewpoints. ... The Canadian federal election, 2004 (more formally, the 38th general election), was held on June 28, 2004 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons. ... Churchill is a Canadian electoral district covering northern Manitoba. ... The New Democratic Party (NDP) is a political party in Canada with a social democratic philosophy and moderate democratic socialist tendencies that contests elections at both the federal and provincial levels. ... The Liberal Party of Canada (French: Parti libéral du Canada), colloquially known as the Grits (originally Clear Grits), is a Canadian federal political party positioned around the centre of the political spectrum, combining a generally progressive social policy with moderate economics. ... Ron Evans (born 1957 in Norway House, Manitoba) is a clergyman and politician in Manitoba, Canada. ... The Conservative Party of Canada (French: Parti conservateur du Canada), colloquially known as the Tories, is a right-of-centre political party in Canada, formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in December 2003. ... Bill Archer (born 1957 in Saskatchewan) is a politician in Manitoba, Canada. ... The Green Party of Canada is a federal political party in Canada. ... The Green Party of Canada ran a full slate of 308 candidates in the 2004 federal election. ... The 2000 Canadian federal election was held on November 27, 2000. ... Churchill is a Canadian electoral district covering northern Manitoba. ... The New Democratic Party (NDP) is a political party in Canada with a social democratic philosophy and moderate democratic socialist tendencies that contests elections at both the federal and provincial levels. ... The Liberal Party of Canada (French: Parti libéral du Canada), colloquially known as the Grits (originally Clear Grits), is a Canadian federal political party positioned around the centre of the political spectrum, combining a generally progressive social policy with moderate economics. ... Elijah Harper (born March 3, 1949) is a Aboriginal Cree Canadian politician and band chief. ... The Canadian Alliance (in full, the Canadian Reform Conservative Alliance) was a Canadian right-of-centre conservative political party that existed from 2000 to 2003. ... The Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba fielded a full slate of candidates in the 2003 provincial election, and won 20 seats out of 57 to form the Official Opposition. ... The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada (PC) was a Canadian centre-right conservative political party that existed from 1867 to 2003. ... The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada elected twelve candidates in the 2000 federal election, and emerged as the fifth-largest party in the Canadian House of Commons. ... 36th Parliament The Canadian federal election of 1997 was held on June 2, 1997, to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons. ... Churchill is a Canadian electoral district covering northern Manitoba. ... The New Democratic Party (NDP) is a political party in Canada with a social democratic philosophy and moderate democratic socialist tendencies that contests elections at both the federal and provincial levels. ... The Liberal Party of Canada (French: Parti libéral du Canada), colloquially known as the Grits (originally Clear Grits), is a Canadian federal political party positioned around the centre of the political spectrum, combining a generally progressive social policy with moderate economics. ... Elijah Harper (born March 3, 1949) is a Aboriginal Cree Canadian politician and band chief. ... The Reform Party of Canada was a Canadian federal political party founded in 1987. ... The Reform Party of Canada fielded several candidates in the 1997 federal election, and won 60 seats out of 301 to form the Official Opposition. ... The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada (PC) was a Canadian centre-right conservative political party that existed from 1867 to 2003. ... The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada ran a full slate of candidates in the 1997 federal election, and won 20 seats out of 301 to emerge as the fifth-largest party in the Canadian House of Commons. ... Elections Canada is the non-partisan agency of the Government of Canada responsible for the conduct of federal elections and referendums. ...

Notes and sources

1. ↑  Bill Curry, "NDP shocked to find ex-MP in Tory post", Globe and Mail, 16 March 2006
2. ↑  Canada Votes 2006, Churchill, Bev Desjarlais biography.
3. ↑  Helen Fallding, "Alliance grabs Grits' remaining rural seat", Winnipeg Free Press, 28 November 2000, B3 and Bud Robertson, "Rural Liberals take hit", Winnipeg Free Press, 3 June 1997, B3.
4. ↑  Robertson, "Rural Liberals". Desjarlais was quoted as saying, "Guns are a way of life here. People still hunt and trap for their food."
5. ↑  "Petition backs native housing", Globe and Mail, 28 May 1999, A9; Bill Redekop, "Women celebrate pay equity win", Winnipeg Free Press, 30 October 1999, A1.
6. ↑  "Collenette may stiffen merger rules", Globe and Mail, 22 October 1999, B3.
7. ↑  Valerie Lawton, "Small caucus means NDP members face big workload", Toronto Star, 23 January 2001, p. 1.
8. ↑  Jane Taber, "Canadian MPs on guard for free", National Post, 1 October 2001, A03.
9. ↑  "Winnipeg MP Bill Blaikie expected to seek NDP leadership Monday", Winnipeg Free Press, 14 June 2002. Desjarlais was quoted as saying, "I am a strong supporter of Bill Blaikie. He has years of experience and I think it was something that we were missing in the party leadership."
10. ↑  James Gordon, "Former chief Mercredi keen to challenge rebel NDP MP", National Post, 14 April 2005, A6.
11. ↑  Kim Lunman, "Layton warns NDP maverick", Globe and Mail, 9 September 2003, A5.
12. ↑  Mary Agnes Welch, "Northerners lament years of neglect", Winnipeg Free Press, 24 June 2004, A14.
13. ↑  "Manitoba NDP MP intends to break party ranks over same-sex unions", Canadian Press, 9 September 2003, 22:05 report.
14. ↑  Paul Samyn, "Vote puts NDP MP in leader's bad books", Winnipeg Free Press, 30 June 2005, A3.
15. ↑  Gloria Galloway, "Objections to 18-hour day a surprise, minister says", Globe and Mail, 9 November 2004, A4; Dennis Bueckert, "Government engulfed by furor over private-sector health care", Canadian Press, 28 April 2004, 17:01 report.
16. ↑  "New First Nations act lambasted by critics", Winnipeg Free Press, 19 March 2003, B4.
17. ↑  Bill Curry, "MP who broke ranks loses NDP nomination", Globe and Mail, 18 October 2005, A6.
18. ↑  "Manitoba MP will sit as an independent after losing NDP nomination", Canadian Press, 17 October 2005, 21:00 report.
19. ↑  "Vote Marriage Canada endorses three pro-marriage candidates", Canada NewsWire, 5 January 2006, 05:03 report.
20. ↑  Lloyd Mackey, "OttawaWatch: Navigate an interface; pilot a project", CanadianChristianity.com (accessed 9 March 2006). [22]
21. ↑  Curry, "NDP shocked".