Media Release - Backgrounder
CITATION:
The Honourable Rev. Bill Blaikie, M.P., PC, BA, M.Div.
The Hon. Rev. Bill Blaikie is an exceptional parliamentarian and outstanding public voice on the pressing issues facing the world today. Deputy Speaker Bill Blaikie has held numerous critic portfolios for the federal New Democratic Party caucus during the 28 years he has represented his Winnipeg riding of Elmwood-Transcona in the House of Commons. He is passionate about parliament and is known for his commitment to the environment, to Medicare, to quality public services, to fair trade, to democratic and parliamentary reform, to human rights and for his criticism of the corporate model of globalization.
Blaikie was born and raised in Transcona, Manitoba. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies from The University of Winnipeg in 1973 and a Master of Divinity degree from the Toronto School of Theology in 1977. From 1977 to 1979, he worked as Director of a Special Outreach Ministry of the United Church in the North End of Winnipeg. Blaikie was ordained to the Ministry of the United Church of Canada in 1978. Blaikie was first elected to the House of Commons in 1979 and has been re-elected eight times. The Hon. Rev. Bill Blaikie has said he will not seek re-election in the next federal parliament. He will continue to serve public life as an Adjunct Professor of Theology and Politics at The University of Winnipeg when his parliamentary obligations are completed.
Blaikie was appointed Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons on April 5, 2006. He is the first New Democrat to serve in that capacity. As the longest continuous serving Member of Parliament, he is the "Dean" of the House and has run two Speakers' elections in that capacity.
"Bill is one of the most respected parliamentarians in Canada," said Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, President & Vice-Chancellor of The University of Winnipeg. "We are proud to have him as one of our alumni and soon to be faculty member working towards the further development of the University's Centre for Theology and Progressive Public Policy."
"While serving so completely in Parliament, Bill has also honoured the responsibilities of his ordination in faithful service to the United Church of Canada both locally and nationally," said James Christie, Dean of Theology at The University of Winnipeg. "Bill's connection to The University of Winnipeg is firmly rooted within the theological and political traditions of United College. Bill represents the best of the traditions of the United Church of Canada: a committed clergyman, a great advocate of social justice, and a tireless defender of the abiding role of theology in public discourse."
Hon. Bill Blaikie has held many prominent positions in the House of Commons:
- NDP Health Critic - 1980 to 1984
- Chair of the federal NDP caucus - 1983 to 1984 and 1993 to 1996
- NDP Environment Critic, member of the Standing Committee on Environment and Forestry and the Special Committee on Acid Rain - 1984 to 1987
- Vice-Chair of the Special Parliamentary Committee on Reform of the House of Commons - 1985 to 86
- NDP External Affairs Critic, and member of the Standing Committee on External Affairs and International Trade - 1987 to 1990
- Member of the Special Committee on the Peace Process in Central America - 1988
- NDP Taxation Policy Critic, serving on the House Standing Committee on Finance - 1990 to 1993
- NDP International Trade Critic - 1993 to 2000
- NDP House Leader and the Critic on Intergovernmental Affairs - 1995 to 2003
- NDP Justice Critic - 2000 to 2003
- Parliamentary Leader of the NDP, NDP Defence and Veteran's Affairs Critic and International Trade Critic - January 2003 to July 2004
- Deputy Leader of the NDP - June 2004 to January 2006
- NDP Health Critic - July 2004 to January 2005
- NDP Defence Critic - July 2004 to January 2006