Electoral Firsts in Canada - Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender

First openly-gay candidates in Canada

  1. Robert Douglas Cook, 1979 BC provincial election for GATE (Gay Alliance Toward Equality) Party in West Vancouver-Howe Sound
  2. George Hislop, 1981 Ontario provincial election, Independent candidate in St. George. (Also ran in 1981 Toronto municipal election)

First transgender-identified candidates in Canada

  1. Christin Milloy, 2011 Ontario provincial election, Ontario Libertarian Party candidate in Mississauga-Brampton South

First openly-gay MP:

  1. Svend Robinson, New Democratic MP for Burnaby-Douglas (1979–2004), came out publicly in 1988
  1. Réal Ménard, Bloc Québécois MP for Hochelaga (1993–2009), came out publicly in 1994
  2. Libby Davies, New Democratic MP for Vancouver East (1997–present), came out publicly in 2001, first Lesbian MP
  3. Scott Brison, Liberal MP for Kings—Hants (1997–2000 and 2000–2003 as Progressive Conservative, 2003–present as Liberal), came out publicly in 2002
  4. Bill Siksay, New Democratic MP for Burnaby—Douglas (2004–2011), First MP elected as an openly-gay candidate to a first term
  5. Mario Silva, Liberal MP for Davenport (2004–2011), came out publicly in 2004
  6. Rob Oliphant, Liberal MP for Don Valley West (2008–2011)
  7. Randall Garrison, New Democratic MP for Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca (2011–present)
  8. Dany Morin, New Democratic MP for Chicoutimi—Le Fjord (2011–present)
  9. Philip Toone, New Democratic MP for Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine (2011–present)
  10. Craig Scott, New Democratic MP for Toronto-Danforth (2012–present)
  • Heward Grafftey, former Progressive Conservative MP for Brome—Missisquoi (1958–68, 72-80) came out publicly in 2010 after he was no longer in parliament.

First openly-gay Member of Provincial Legislatures:

  1. Maurice Richard, Quebec Liberal MNA for Nicolet (1985–89) and Nicolet-Yamaska (1989–94)
  2. André Boisclair, Quebec Parti Québécois MNA for Gouin (1989–2004) and Pointe-aux-Trembles (2006–07)
  3. André Boulerice, Quebec Parti Québécois MNA for Sainte-Marie–Saint-Jacques (1989–2005)
  4. Mike Farnworth, British Columbia NDP MLA for Port Coquitlam (1991–2001, 05-present), came out during leadership run in 2010
  5. Ted Nebbeling, British Columbia Liberal MLA for West Vancouver-Garibaldi (1996–2005)
  6. Tim Stevenson, British Columbia NDP MLA for Vancouver-Burrard (1996–2001)
  7. Agnès Maltais, Quebec Parti Québécois MNA for Taschereau (1998–present), came out in 2003
  8. George Smitherman, Ontario Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre (1999–2010)
  9. Jim Rondeau, Manitoba NDP MLA for Assiniboia (1999–present)
  10. Lorne Mayencourt, British Columbia Liberal MLA for Vancouver-Burrard (2001–08)
  11. Kathleen Wynne, Ontario Liberal MPP for Don Valley West (2003–present)
  12. Nicholas Simons, British Columbia NDP MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast (2005–present)
  13. Sylvain Gaudreault, Quebec Parti Québécois MNA for Jonquière (2007–present)
  14. Paul Ferreira, Ontario NDP MPP for York South—Weston (2007)
  15. Jennifer Howard, Manitoba NDP MLA for Fort Rouge (2007–present)
  16. Spencer Chandra Herbert, British Columbia NDP MLA for Vancouver-Burrard/Vancouver-West End (2008–present)
  17. Jenn McGinn, British Columbia NDP MLA for Vancouver-Fairview (2008–09)
  18. Mable Elmore, British Columbia NDP MLA for Vancouver-Kensington (2009–present)
  19. Glen Murray, Ontario Liberal MPP for Toronto Centre (2010–present)
  20. Gerry Rogers, Newfoundland and Labrador MHA for St. John's Centre (2011–present)
  • Keith Norton, former Ontario Progressive Conservative MPP for Kingston and the Islands (1975–85) came out publicly during the 1990 election after he was no longer in office.
  • Ian Scott, former Ontario Liberal MPP for St. George—St. David (1985–92) and former Attorney-General came out publicly in 1993 after he was no longer in office.

First gays/lesbians to run for leadership of a major party

  1. Svend Robinson, 1995 New Democratic Party leadership election—came in first on first ballot, but withdrew
  2. Marcel Hatch, New Democratic Party 2001 leadership challenger
  3. Scott Brison, Progressive Conservative leadership election, 2003 -- came in third
  4. Scott Brison, Liberal Party of Canada leadership election, 2006
  5. Mike Farnworth, British Columbia New Democratic Party leadership election, 2011 - came in second, came out during leadership run in 2010

First openly gay leaders of political parties

  1. Chris Lea, Green Party of Canada, 1990–1996
  2. Allison Brewer, New Brunswick New Democratic Party, Sept 25, 2005–2006
  3. André Boisclair, Parti Québécois, Nov 15, 2005–2007 (first openly gay leader of a party with seats in the legislature)

First openly gay/lesbian senators

  1. Laurier Lapierre, Liberal
  2. Nancy Ruth (formerly Nancy Jackman) PC, first lesbian senator, appointed in 2006, came out in 1990

First openly gay/lesbian cabinet ministers

  1. Tim Stevenson, British Columbia, 2000–2001, first openly gay politician to be appointed to cabinet in Canada
  2. André Boisclair, Quebec, 1996–2003, came out in 2000
  3. Dale Eftoda, Yukon, 2000–2002, came out in 2001
  4. Ted Nebbeling, British Columbia, 2001–2004
  5. George Smitherman, Ontario, 2003–2009
  6. Scott Brison, federal, 2004–2006
  7. Jim Rondeau, Manitoba, 2004–2006
  8. Kathleen Wynne, Ontario, 2006–present
  9. Jennifer Howard, Manitoba, (2009–present)

First openly gay mayor : Glen Murray - Mayor of Winnipeg (1998–2004)

First openly gay city councillors:

  1. Raymond Blain, Montreal, 1986–1993
  2. Gordon Price, Vancouver, 1986–2002, first openly gay politician elected to Vancouver City Council
  3. Glen Murray, Winnipeg, 1989–1998
  4. Kyle Rae, Toronto, 1991–2010, Toronto's first openly gay city councillor, was openly gay when first elected to Toronto City Council in 1991.
  5. Alex Munter, Ottawa, 1991–2003, came out in 1993
  6. Michael Phair, Edmonton, 1992–2007

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