NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Steven Fletcher

Steven John Fletcher, MP, BSc (Eng), MBA (born June 17, 1972) is a Canadian politician. He has served in the Canadian House of Commons since 2004, representing the riding of Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia as a member of the Conservative Party. He is the first quadriplegic to serve in the House of Commons. Fletcher currently serves as parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Health and the minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario. 38th Parliament Members of the House of Commons in the 38th Parliament of Canada, as of May 17, 2005. ... B.S. redirects here. ... Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a tertiary degree in business management. ... is the 168th day of the year (169th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... 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. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... An electoral district is a geographically-based constituency upon which Canadas representative democracy is based. ... Charleswoodâ€”St. ... The Conservative Party of Canada (French: Parti conservateur du Canada), colloquially known as the Tories, is a conservative political party in Canada, formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in December 2003. ... Quadriplegia is caused by damage to the spinal cord at a high level (e. ... In the parliamentary systems of several Commonwealth countries, such as Canada and Australia, it is customary for the prime minister to appoint parliamentary secretaries (in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, parliamentary assistants) from their caucus to assist cabinet ministers with their work. ... In the Cabinet of Canada, The Minister of Health (French: Ministre de la SantÃ©) is responsible for overseeing the federal governments health department (Health Canada) and enforcing the Canada Health Act, the law governing Medicare. ...

Early life and career

Fletcher was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where his Canadian father was working as an engineer. He was raised in Manitoba, and received a degree in Geological Engineering from the University of Manitoba in 1995. This article is about the Brazilian city. ... The University of Manitoba is the largest university of the province of Manitoba, most comprehensive and only research-intensive post-secondary educational institution. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ...

He became a complete quadriplegic in 1996, after hitting a moose with his vehicle while travelling to a geological engineering job in northern Manitoba.^[1] The accident left him completely paralysed below the neck, and he now requires 24 hour a day attendant care. He was unable to speak for several months, and only regained this ability after a long process of recovery. Quadriplegia, also known as tetraplegia, is a symptom in which a human experiences paralysis of all four limbs, although not necessarily total paralysis. ... Year 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar). ... For other uses, see Moose (disambiguation). ...

In the immediate aftermath of his accident, Fletcher was told that he would have to spend the rest of his life in an institution. Years later, he joked, "I don't think the doctors ever thought the institution would be Parliament".^[2] When asked about his disability during his first campaign for public office, he quipped, "I would rather be paralyzed from the neck down then from the neck up".^[3]

Before his accident, Fletcher was an avid wilderness canoe enthusiast. He served as president of the Manitoba Recreational Canoeing Association, was a two-time former Manitoba Kayak Champion, and competed in national events.^[4] He was able to resume his life as an outdoorsman in the mid-2000s through inventions such as the TrailRider, which allows quadriplegics to travel over rough terrain.^[5] In late 2004, he was able to stand again with the assistance of an hydraulic wheelchair.^[6] He recently competed in water races, and has won awards using "sip and puff" steering technology.^[7] In 2006, he visited the Burgess Shale in the Rocky Mountains with the help of a TrailRider and other hikers.^[8] Hallucigenia sparsa, one of the organisms unique to the Burgess Shale. ... For individual mountains named Rocky Mountain, see Rocky Mountain (disambiguation). ...

Fletcher has said that the accident changed his political views. He acknowledges that he "didn't give the less-fortunate any consideration" before 1996, but now describes himself as a "compassionate conservative".^[9]

Student president

Fletcher returned to the University of Manitoba in 1997 to take a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. He was elected president of the University of Manitoba Students' Union (UMSU) in February 1999, and identified his main priorities as improving the university's public profile and increasing access for students in financial need.^[10] He also called for greater university access for disabled students and for higher aboriginal enrollment.^[11] In October 1999, he met with federal Finance Minister Paul Martin to lobby for increased student funding.^[12] For the band, see 1997 (band). ... â€œMBAâ€ redirects here. ... The University of Manitoba Students Union (UMSU) is the university-wide representative body for students at the University of Manitoba, located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. ... The Minister of Finance is one of the most important positions in the Cabinet of Canada. ... Paul Edgar Philippe Martin, PC, MP, BA, LLB, LLD (h. ...

Fletcher's political views often put him at odds with other campus organizations, and he was sometimes accused of administrative bias against left-wing groups. In early 2000, he supported a decision by student council to freeze university funding for The Manitoban, a campus newspaper with a left-leaning editorial board. He argued that the issue at stake was one of financial accountability, though his opponents suggested he was trying to infringe on the paper's autonomy.^[13] Funding was restored when the newspaper staff agreed to accept an Ombudsman Board.^[14]

Fletcher was elected as a director of the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations during his first term.^[15] He was re-elected student body president in 2000, and presided over the elimination of the UMSU's debt in May 2000. He credited a partnership with Starbucks for much of the council's $43,000 surplus.^[16] The Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) was formed in 1995, by several post-secondary institutions students unions who had withdrawn from the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) in a dispute over its policies and organizational structure. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full 2000 Gregorian calendar). ... For other meanings of the name Starbuck, see Starbuck. ...

In late 2000, Fletcher announced that he would seek the Progressive Conservative nomination for a provincial by-election in Tuxedo.^[17] Some of his opponents later tried to remove him as student president, arguing that such partisan activity was inappropriate for someone elected to represent the interests of all students.^[18] Fletcher argued that the university's constitution did not prevent him from participating in provincial politics, and described his opponents as "far left extremists".^[19] He lost the provincial nomination to Heather Stefanson.^[20] His opponents in the Graduate Students Association later voted to separate from the UMSU, although the University of Manitoba refused to sanction the separation.^[21] The Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba is a right-of-centre political party in Manitoba, Canada. ... A by-election or bye-election is a special election held to fill a political office when the incumbent has died or resigned. ... Tuxedo is a provincial electoral division in the Canadian province of Manitoba. ... Heather Stefanson (born May 11, 1970) is a politician in Manitoba, Canada. ...

Near the end of 2000, Fletcher endorsed a report from the right-wing Fraser Institute which suggested that Canada would have to end university union contracts and professorial tenure to retain bright young academics. There is merit,", Fletcher said. "You'd have to break the union, I would guess".^[22] He also called for a central co-ordination body to oversee Manitoba's universities, arguing that the province "is too small to have five universities offering the same thing".^[23] He opposed the provincial government's 2001 decision to build a new university in northern Manitoba.^[24] Fletcher finished his second and final term as student president in May 2001, and received his MBA in 2002.^[25] The Fraser Institute is a libertarian think tank based in Canada. ...

Political career

Party president

Fletcher was elected president of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba in November 2001, and was re-elected in 2003.^[26] His relationship with party leader Stuart Murray was sometimes fractious. Fletcher criticized Murray in 2002 for hiring discredited advisor Taras Sokolyk without informing him, and suggested that Murray had not taken sufficient action to improve the state of the party's finances.^[27] Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Stuart Murray (born November 24, 1954) is a Manitoba politician. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... Taras Sokolyk is a political organizer in Manitoba, Canada. ...

After Fletcher's election as party president, Manitoba Public Insurance announced that it would no longer provide travel expenses for his personal assistant. An MPI representative argued that attending party functions was not a prerequisite for Fletcher's stated career goal of becoming an elected politician, and indicated that the fund was not legally required to pay for these activities. Fletcher appealed this decision before the Manitoba Court of Appeal, hiring former New Democratic Party cabinet minister Sidney Green as his attorney.^[28] The Court of Appeal ruled against Fletcher in May 2003.^[29] He later tried to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court of Canada, but the court twice declined to hear his case.^[30] Fletcher filed a lawsuit against former provincial cabinet minister Becky Barrett in September 2003, arguing that she had "maliciously" interfered in his legal battles.^[31] The Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation (MPI or MPIC) is a non-profit Crown corporation based in Manitoba that has provided basic automobile coverage since 1971. ... The New Democratic Party of Manitoba is a social democratic political party in Manitoba, Canada. ... Sidney Green (August 1, 1929-) is a politician in Manitoba, Canada. ... The Supreme Court of Canada (French: Cour suprÃªme du Canada) is the highest court of Canada and is the final court of appeal in the Canadian justice system. ... Becky Barrett (born May 1, 1942) is a politician in Manitoba, Canada. ...

Federal politician

In late 2003, Fletcher defeated Don Murdock to win the Canadian Alliance nomination in Charleswood—St. James for the 2004 federal election.^[32] He later supported the merger of the Canadian Alliance with the more centrist Progressive Conservative Party of Canada, and endorsed Stephen Harper's bid to lead the merged Conservative Party of Canada in early 2004.^[33] Fletcher's Alliance nomination was rendered void by the merger, and he was required to contest another nomination for the new party. He defeated Murdock a second time, and was declared the riding's Conservative Party candidate in March 2004.^[34] The Canadian Alliance, formally the Canadian Reform Conservative Alliance, was a Canadian conservative political party that existed from 2000 to 2003. ... 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. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Stephen Joseph Harper (born April 30, 1959) is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Fletcher defeated star Liberal candidate Glen Murray, a popular former Mayor of Winnipeg, by 734 votes in the 2004 election. His victory was considered an upset, although polls before election day indicated the result would be close.^[35] The Liberal Party won a minority government nationally, and Fletcher was named as Senior Health Critic in the Official Opposition.^[36] The Liberal Party of Canada (French: ), colloquially known as the Grits (originally Clear Grits), is a Canadian federal political party. ... Glen Murray (born October 27, 1957) is a politician who was formerly the mayor of Winnipeg, Manitoba. ... List of mayors of Winnipeg, Manitoba: 1874 Francis Evans Cornish, Q. C. 1875–76 William Nassau Kennedy 1877–78 Thomas Scott 1879–80 Alexander Logan 1881 Elias George Conklin 1882 Alexander Logan 1883 Alexander McMicken 1884 Alexander Logan 1885 Charles Edward Hamilton 1886 Henry Shaver Wesbrook 1887... For minority governments in general, see dominant minority. ... Her Majestys Loyal Opposition (French: LOpposition Loyale de Sa MajestÃ©) in Canada is usually the largest parliamentary opposition party in the Canadian House of Commons that is not in government either on its own or as part of a governing coalition. ...

Fletcher is the first Member of Parliament (MP) in Canadian history with a permanent disability. A running joke during his first campaign was that he would have to be a front bench MP, as the backbenches are not wheelchair-accessible.^[37] His election created the need for a "stranger to the House" — a person who is not officially an MP or officer of Parliament — to permit his aide to be on the Commons floor during sessions.^[38] A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters to a parliament. ... Look up disability in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... In many parliaments and other similar assemblies, seating is typically arranged in banks or rows, with each political party or caucus grouped together. ... A backbencher is a Member of Parliament or a legislature who does not hold governmental office and is not a Front Bench spokesperson in the Opposition. ... In the Canadian House of Commons and its provinces Legislative Assemblies (and possibly other Westminster systems), a Stranger to the House is anyone permitted to be on the floor of the House who is not either a Member of Parliament, an Officer of the House (such as the clerks or...

The Parliament buildings had to be adapted to accommodate Fletcher. In Ottawa, Fletcher has advocated for community living, the integration of physically or mentally challenged individuals into society. He has said, “Community living is better for the individual for sure, better for their families, and in most cases—not all—it’s better on the taxpayer too.”^[39]

Opposition MP

As Conservative Health Critic, Fletcher described himself as a supporter of the Canada Health Act but also indicated a willingness to permit greater private-sector involvement. He suggested that the government is "notorious for stifling innovation", and argued that the private sector should not be "pigeonholed like doctors who tried to pigeonhole me".^[40] Liberal Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh responded by arguing that the Conservative position would jeopardize the principles of the Canada Health Act.^[41] The Canada Health Act is a piece of Canadian federal legislation, adopted in 1984, that lists the conditions and criteria to which the provinces and territories must conform in order to receive the full amount of negotiated transfer payments relating to health care. ... In the Cabinet of Canada, The Minister of Health (French: Ministre de la SantÃ©) is responsible for overseeing the federal governments health department (Health Canada) and enforcing the Canada Health Act, the law governing Medicare. ... Hon. ...

On April 20, 2005, the House of Commons supported Fletcher's Motion to compensate all Canadians who were infected with Hepatitis C by the Canadian Red Cross as a result of its failure to test blood samples.^[42] This was a major development in a decade-long struggle to have the pre-1986 and post-1990 Hepatitis C victims included in a federal compensation package. A compensation funding package was announced in 2006.^[43] is the 110th day of the year (111th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This page is for the disease. ... The Canadian Red Cross Society is a Canadian humanitarian charitable organization. ... Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ...

The following month, Fletcher became involved in a controversy unrelated to his parliamentary duties. On May 21, 2005, he apologized for saying "The Japs were bastards" at a veterans' convention in Winnipeg the previous week, in reference to Japanese Imperial Army during World War II. He defended the general intent of his remarks, noting that his grandfather had witnessed the Japanese army commit atrocities when he was taken as a prisoner of war after the fall of Singapore.^[44] He also acknowledged that he used "language that was inappropriate".^[45] is the 141st day of the year (142nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Former crewmembers of the battleship Missouri pose for photos shortly after the Anniversary of the End of World War II ceremony, held aboard the famous ship. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki TÅjÅ Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... Geneva Convention definition A prisoner of war (POW) is a soldier, sailor, airman, or marine who is imprisoned by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict. ...

In November 2005, Fletcher and New Democratic Party MP Pat Martin endorsed a motion to minimize trans-fats in the Canadian food supply.^[46] A task force to investigate the issue of trans-fats was subsequently struck, and provided recommendations to the government in 2007. ^[47] This article is about the Canadian political party. ... Patrick Pat Martin (born December 13, 1955 in Winnipeg, Manitoba) is a Canadian politician. ...

Government MP

Fletcher was re-elected with an increased majority in the 2006 federal election, as the Conservatives won a minority government nationally. After the election, he was appointed as parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Health and the minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario. Rendition of party representation in the 39th Canadian parliament decided by this election. ... For minority governments in general, see dominant minority. ... In the parliamentary systems of several Commonwealth countries, such as Canada and Australia, it is customary for the prime minister to appoint parliamentary secretaries (in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, parliamentary assistants) from their caucus to assist cabinet ministers with their work. ... In the Cabinet of Canada, The Minister of Health (French: Ministre de la SantÃ©) is responsible for overseeing the federal governments health department (Health Canada) and enforcing the Canada Health Act, the law governing Medicare. ...

Fletcher supported Sam Katz's bid for re-election as Mayor of Winnipeg in 2006.^[48] In late 2006, he assisted Liberal MP Andy Scott in presenting a motion for a national strategy on the treatment of persons with autism.^[49] He received a 2006 Champion of Mental Health Award.^[50] Samuel (Sam) Michael Katz, OM , BA (born Rehovot, Israel, 1951) is the 42nd mayor of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. ... List of mayors of Winnipeg, Manitoba: 1874 Francis Evans Cornish, Q. C. 1875–76 William Nassau Kennedy 1877–78 Thomas Scott 1879–80 Alexander Logan 1881 Elias George Conklin 1882 Alexander Logan 1883 Alexander McMicken 1884 Alexander Logan 1885 Charles Edward Hamilton 1886 Henry Shaver Wesbrook 1887... There are at least two known people named Andy Scott, including: Andy Scott, English guitarist from the UK band, Sweet, born 1949 Andrew Andy Scott, Canadian politician, born 1955 This is a disambiguation page: a list of articles associated with the same title. ... Autism is a brain development disorder characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication, and restricted and repetitive behavior, all exhibited before a child is three years old. ...

Fletcher has received awards for community involvement, including a special award from the National Cancer Leadership Forum for advocating a national cancer strategy.^[51] He has also received the Courage and Leadership Award from the Canadian Cancer Society,^[52] and was inducted into the Terry Fox Hall of Fame on November 13, 2006.^[53] For the baseball player, see Terry Fox (baseball). ...

Fletcher has advocated for embryonic stem cell research using embryos that would otherwise be discarded from in-vitro fertilization techniques. He stated on CBC's The National " I would ask this question. A Canadian who finds themselves with a terrible ailment or a loved one with a terrible ailment and there is a cure that is derived by embryonic stem cell research, would they deny their loved one or themselves that cure because of the source of the cure? Most Canadians would say please, cure me."^[54]

In March 2007, Fletcher began a campaign to have Ottawa's taxi service improve its wheelchair accessibility.^[55] This article is about the capital city of Canada. ...

Table of offices held

Regions Political culture Foreign relations Other countries Atlas Politics Portal The Senate Chamber of Parliament Hill in Ottawa. ... 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. ... Charleswoodâ€”St. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

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. Rendition of party representation in the 39th Canadian parliament decided by this election. ... Charleswoodâ€”St. ... The Conservative Party of Canada (French: Parti conservateur du Canada), colloquially known as the Tories, is a conservative political party in Canada, formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in December 2003. ... The Liberal Party of Canada (French: ), colloquially known as the Grits (originally Clear Grits), is a Canadian federal political party. ... John Loewen (pronounced Lay-ven) (born December 21, 1949) is a businessman and politician in Manitoba, Canada. ... This article is about the Canadian political party. ... The New Democratic Party won fielded a full slate of 308 candidates in the 2006 federal election, and won 29 seats to become the fourth-largest party in parliament. ... The Green Party of Canada is a Canadian federal political party founded in 1983. ... The Green Party of Canada is intending to run a full slate of 308 candidates in the 2006 Canadian federal election. ... 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. ... Charleswoodâ€”St. ... The Conservative Party of Canada (French: Parti conservateur du Canada), colloquially known as the Tories, is a conservative political party in Canada, formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in December 2003. ... The Liberal Party of Canada (French: ), colloquially known as the Grits (originally Clear Grits), is a Canadian federal political party. ... Glen Murray (born October 27, 1957) is a politician who was formerly the mayor of Winnipeg, Manitoba. ... This article is about the Canadian political party. ... Peter Carney is a politician in Manitoba, Canada. ... The Green Party of Canada is a Canadian federal political party founded in 1983. ... Andrew Basham is a young politician in Manitoba, Canada. ... The Marijuana Party is a Canadian federal political party that aims to end prohibition of cannabis. ... Dan Zupansky is a journalist and politician in Manitoba, Canada. ... The Communist Party of Canada is a communist political party in Canada. ... Beatriz Alas is a Communist politician in Manitoba, Canada. ... Elections Canada is the non-partisan agency of the Government of Canada responsible for the conduct of federal elections and referendums. ...

Footnotes

^ Bill Redekop, "Moose collision shocks naturalists", Winnipeg Free Press, 25 January 1996, A1.
^ [http://www.macleans.ca/topstories/politics/article.jsp?content=20050718_109102_109102 Joan Bryden, "Hell on Wheels", Macleans Magazine, 13 July 2005.
^ Ruypers, Ryall, , “Canadian Civics”, “Emond Montgomery Publications”, 2006, Page 107.
^ Bill Redekop, "Chinese power play", Winnipeg Free Press, 9 February 1997, B4.
^ Liz Katynski, "Lightweight, portable device leads to Happy trails", Winnipeg Free Press, 18 June 2003, p. 1.
^ Paul Samyn, "High emotion for city MP", Winnipeg Free Press, 9 December 2004, A1.
^ Steven Fletcher: About, accessed 12 November 2006.
^ Jeff Lee, "Mayor, MP to make Yoho trek", Vancouver Sun, 2 August 2006, B6.
^ Paul Egan, "Breaking barriers", Winnipeg Free Press, 4 July 2004, A1.
^ Bill Redekop, "U of M elects quadriplegic man to take charge of students' union", Winnipeg Free Press, 19 February 1999, A3. Fletcher won by 148 votes, receiving just over 1,500 votes of 4,200 cast; Manfred Jager, "UMSU president seeks to raise school's image", 5 May 1999, Winnipeg Free Press, A16.
^ Diane Driedger, "Searching for the formula: how University of Manitoba sees its future", Manitoba Business, 1 July 1999, Volume 21, Issue 6, p. 19.
^ Nick Martin, "Sympathy for the student but no federal financing", Winnipeg Free Press, 23 October 1999, A10.
^ David Roberts, "Students fight for paper's autonomy", Globe and Mail, 25 March 1990, A11.
^ "U. Manitoba paper keeps editorial autonomy", U-Wire, 4 April 2000.
^ "In Brief", Winnipeg Free Press, 7 March 2000, A9. His brother graduated, and the new vice-president was Colleen Bready The Canadian Alliance of Student Associations was not affiliated with the Canadian Alliance political party.
^ "In Brief", Winnipeg Free Press, 27 May 2000, A7.
^ "U of M students union cancels Legislature protest", Winnipeg Free Press, 14 September 2000, A5.
^ "University-feud", Broadcast News, 2 October 2000, 09:34 report.
^ Nick Martin, "Students' union president criticized", Winnipeg Free Press, 3 October 2000, A7.
^ "Stefanson-Tuxedo", Broadcast News, 13 October 2000, 13:31 report.
^ Scott Edmonds, "Manitoba students union anything but united over controversial president", Canadian Press, 31 October 2000, 16:42 report.
^ "Mba prof suggests scrapping unions and tenure for professors", Canadian Press, 17 December 2000, 21:37 report.
^ Steven Fletcher, "How to fix our universities", Winnipeg Free Press, 29 March 2001, A15.
^ Steven Fletcher, "Do we really need another university?", Winnipeg Free Press, 24 July 2001, A13.
^ Nick Martin, "'Education is what saved me'", Winnipeg Free Press, 29 May 2002, A13.
^ Helen Fallding, "Grassroots will choose new top Tory", Winnipeg Free Press, 18 November 2001, A3.
^ Daniel Lett, "PC boss eyes Alliance Fletcher seeks candidacy in next federal election", Winnipeg Free Press, 19 April 2003, B1.
^ Mia Rabson, "PC party president fights for assistant's travel costs", Winnipeg Free Press, 11 April 2003, A3.
^ David Kuxhaus, "Tory president loses appeal MPI's decision on expenses stands", Winnipeg Free Press, 3 May 2003, B4.
^ Mia Rabson, "Tory boss wants Supreme Court to hear his case against MPI", Winnipeg Free Press, 17 June 2003, A8; Mia Rabson, "High court rebuffs bid for support", Winnipeg Free Press, 9 January 2004, B1 and "High Court declines to hear insurance appeal of Winnipeg MP Steven Fletcher", Canadian Press, 18:33 report.
^ "Tory president files suit against Barrett, MPI", Winnipeg Free Press, 16 September 2003, B3.
^ Mia Rabson, "High-profile Tories running for Alliance", Winnipeg Free Press, 9 September 2003, B2.
^ Mia Rabson, "Local conservatives react with elation", Winnipeg Free Press, 17 October 2003, A11; "Old Tories spoiling for a united fight", Winnipeg Free Press, 17 January 2004, A3.
^ Alexandra Paul, "Fletcher nomination galvanizes Tories", Winnipeg Free Press, 5 March 2004, A4. Fletcher won the nomination by 242 votes to 189. Murdock is a funeral home executive in Winnipeg. See Alexandra Paul, "Fletcher nomination galvanizes Tories", Winnipeg Free Press, 5 March 2004, A4; Geoff Kirbyson, "Cost of dying", Winnipeg Free Press, 13 August 2006, E1.
^ Mary Agnes Welch, "Sure things, long shots and... who knows?", Winnipeg Free Press, 27 June 2004, B1.
^ Jim Brown, "Conservative Harper seeks middle ground in new shadow cabinet", Canadian Press, 22 July 2004, 15:22 report.
^ Mary Agnes Welch, "Wheelchair can't slow Fletcher's drive to win", Winnipeg Free Press, 18 June 2004, A21.
^ Graeme Smith and Jane Taber, "Paralyzed MP plans to change attitudes in Ottawa", Globe and Mail, 30 June 2004, A1.
^ Ruypers, Ryall, Connor, and Norton, “Canada in the Contemporary World”, “Emond Montgomery Publications”, 2006, Page 62.
^ Don Martin, "From a frozen ditch to Parliament Hill", National Post, 5 October 2004, A19.
^ Colin Perkel, "Tory move would threaten medicare, Dosanjh says", Globe and Mail, 20 April 2005, A4.
^ Mark Kennedy, "Liberals grant funds to all hep C victims", National Post, 21 April 2005, A7.
^ Janice Tibbetts, "Government to compensate 'forgotten victims' of hep C", National Post, 25 July 2006, A5.
^ Mary Agnes Welch, "Fletcher upsets vets, Japanese-Canadians", Winnipeg Free Press, 21 May 2005, A3.
^ "MP apologizes for use of `inappropriate' language to describe Japanese", Canadian Press, 21 May 2005, 14:50 report.
^ Paul Samyn, "Dosanjh snubs House", MP says Winnipeg Free Press ,September 2, 2005, Page: A14
^ "Letters to the Editor" Winnipeg Free Press, Monday, February 21, 2005 Section: Focus Byline: Fair share of funds vital Page: A11.
^ Boris Hrybinsky, "Hasselriis unveils larcenous plan", Winnipeg Free Press, 14 September 2006, B1.
^ John Ivison, "Coming to grips with autism", National Post, 14 November 2006, A4.
^ "Fletcher receives 2006 Champion of Mental Health Award", Steven Fletcher homepage, accessed 6 December 2006.
^ Andre Picard, Cancer Society sends Harper a message-scented bouquet All MPs receive daffodils as a reminder of Conservatives' $260-million promise, Globe and Mail, February 23 2006 A8. On November 24, 2006 this National Strategy was announced under the name Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. See: Canada Press, 'Blueprint' for cancer PM unveils $260-M plan to prevent, fight the disease, Winnipeg Free Press, November 25 2006, A1
^ MARIVIC TUAZON Winnipeg Sun November 23, 2006 ‘Out and About’ A12.
^ Diane Ablonczy MP , Hansard, Terry Fox Hall of Fame.
^ Leslie Mackinnon, The National, CBC February 12, 2007
^ "A cab service that's accessible", Ottawa Citizen, 27 March 2007, C4.

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