Politics
Heap entered politics to continue to oppose poverty, war and homelessness, and ran as the New Democratic Party's candidate in Spadina in the 1968 federal election placing second. He also ran in the 1971 provincial election against Allan Grossman in the riding of St. Andrew—St. Patrick. He lost that election by 1137 votes. His first success in politics came when he was elected in the 1972 municipal election as the junior Alderman for Ward 6. When the Liberal Member of Parliament for Spadina, Peter Stollery, was appointed to the Senate in 1981, Heap decided to run in the subsequent by-election. Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau had recommended Stollery for appointment to the Senate in order to open the "safe Liberal riding" for his aide Jim Coutts. Heap defeated Coutts in the by-election, however, and was re-elected in the 1984 and 1988 elections. He retired at the 1993 federal election.
Heap was an outspoken MP, serving as NDP critic on immigration, and a prominent spokesperson for social justice issues both in Canada and abroad. He was very concerned with issues such as refugees, the situations in Central America, East Timor, and South Africa. Heap hired a young Olivia Chow as his constituency office assistant.
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