The Honourable
Hedy Fry
PC MP
Fry in 2017
Member of Parliament
for Vancouver Centre
Assumed office
October 25, 1993
Preceded byKim Campbell
Chairwoman of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage
Assumed office
February 4, 2016
MinisterMélanie Joly
Preceded byGord Brown
Chairwoman of the Standing Committee on
Status of Women
In office
5 February 2009 – 20 June 2011
MinisterRona Ambrose
Preceded byYasmin Ratansi
Succeeded byNiki Ashton
Personal details
Born (1941-08-06) August 6, 1941
San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago
Political partyLiberal
RelationsPete Fry (son)
Residence(s)Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
ProfessionPhysician

Hedy Madeleine Fry, PC MP (born August 6, 1941) is a Trinidadian-Canadian politician and physician who is currently the longest-serving female Member of Parliament,[1] winning ten consecutive elections in the constituency of Vancouver Centre including the 1993 election, when she defeated incumbent Prime Minister Kim Campbell.

Early life and career

Fry was born in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago. She is of Scottish, Spanish, Indian, and Chinese ancestry.[2] After declining an English Literature scholarship to Oxford, Fry earned her equivalent of a BA in Science in one year and then went on to receive her medical training at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland.[1] She immigrated to Canada in 1970 and established a practice in Vancouver.

Fry worked at St. Paul's Hospital (Vancouver) for 23 years. She served as president of the British Columbia Federation of Medical Women in 1977. She was president of the Vancouver Medical Association in 1988–89, the BC Medical Association in 1990–91, and chaired the Canadian Medical Association's Multiculturalism Committee in 1992–9. She volunteered as a Tawny Owl as a member of the Girl Guides of Canada, leading a Brownie group.[3] Fry was also a host on the nationally televised CBC show Doctor Doctor.

Federal politics

Fry sought and won the Liberal Party nomination for Vancouver Centre for the 1993 federal election over lawyer David Varty and college lecturer John Lang in March 1993. She was elected to the House of Commons of Canada, defeating Progressive Conservative Prime Minister Kim Campbell. Fry was only the fifth person to unseat a sitting prime minister, and the first to do so on his or her first try for office. Fry has been re-elected in every subsequent election (1997, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2021).

Chretien and Martin governments

She served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Health and Welfare from 1993 until 1996 when she was appointed to the Cabinet as Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and Status of Women. Fry apologized to the people of Prince George, B.C. after she said in the House of Commons that “crosses are being burned on lawns as we speak”.[4] Fry did not remain a minister after cabinet was shuffled in 2002.

When Paul Martin became Prime Minister of Canada at the end of 2003, he made her Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration with special emphasis on Foreign Credentials. After the 2004 election, she was named Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development with special emphasis on the Internationally Trained Workers Initiative.

In opposition

In 2006, she beat high-profile NDP activist and former MP Svend Robinson and in 2008 she defeated high-profile Conservative Lorne Mayencourt. On May 4, 2006, Fry became the 11th person, 3rd woman, and the only Westerner to officially enter the Liberal party leadership race. Fry launched her leadership campaign saying that Canada's diversity is its greatest competitive advantage - "our weapon of mass inclusion" - and called for a "non-ideological" approach to problem solving. She withdrew from the contest on September 25 and announced her support for Bob Rae.

Re-elected in Vancouver Centre for a sixth term in 2008, Fry was appointed the Official Opposition Critic for Canadian Heritage. On November 21, 2008, Liberal leadership candidate Bob Rae announced that Fry would serve as his Campaign Co-Chair in British Columbia.

Fry was re-elected in 2011 by a margin of approximately 2,000 votes.[5] When the Liberals lost power in 2006, Fry was named as Critic for Sport Canada in the Liberal shadow cabinet. In 2011, as the Liberals lost their designation as Official Opposition, Fry was named Liberal Critic for Health.

Trudeau government

In the 2015 election, Fry won her riding once more, becoming the oldest Canadian MP and the longest serving female MP. During the 42nd Parliament, she was appointed to the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians, which provides oversight to Canada's security services and requires a Top Secret security clearance.[6]

In the 2019 Election, Fry once again won her riding for a 9th consecutive term.[7] She currently serves as the Special Representative for Gender Issues at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's Parliamentary Assembly, a role she has held since 2010. Fry is also a member of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, and the Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic. [8]

Family

Fry has three adult sons and four grandchildren. Her eldest son, Pete Fry, was elected to Vancouver City Council in the 2018 municipal election.

Electoral record

2021 Canadian federal election: Vancouver Centre
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalHedy Fry20,87340.44-1.74$87,773.26
New DemocraticBreen Ouellette15,86930.74+7.00$80,950.83
ConservativeHarry Cockell11,16221.62+2.35$20,505.00
GreenAlaric Paivarinta2,0303.93-8.59$8,967.42
People'sTaylor Singleton-Fookes1,6833.27+1.98$3,574.44
Total valid votes/expense limit 51,61799.19–$119,443.50
Total rejected ballots 4220.81+0.16
Turnout 52,03957.01-4.04
Eligible voters 91,276
Liberal hold Swing -4.37
Source: Elections Canada[9][10]
2019 Canadian federal election: Vancouver Centre
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalHedy Fry23,59942.18-13.90$90,613.92
New DemocraticBreen Ouellette13,28023.74+3.72$35,726.92
ConservativeDavid Cavey10,78219.27+2.36$32,539.03
GreenJesse Brown7,00212.52+6.71$28,503.30
People'sLouise Kierans7241.29–$4,907.84
LibertarianJohn Clarke3790.68-0.38$0.00
IndependentLily Bowman1420.25–none listed
IndependentImtiaz Popat380.07–$0.00
Total valid votes/expense limit 55,94699.35
Total rejected ballots 3640.65+0.22
Turnout 56,31061.05-4.85
Eligible voters 92,243
Liberal hold Swing -8.81
Source: Elections Canada[11][12]
2015 Canadian federal election: Vancouver Centre
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalHedy Fry32,55456.08+25.06$126,090.21
New DemocraticConstance Barnes11,61820.01-6.34$102,184.82
ConservativeElaine Allan9,81816.91-9.14$84,492.99
GreenLisa Barrett3,3705.81-9.27$45,728.01
LibertarianJohn Clarke6141.06+0.53–
Marxist–LeninistMichael Hill740.13+0.02–
Total valid votes/expense limit 58,04899.58 $224,575.59
Total rejected ballots 2470.42–
Turnout 58,29565.89–
Eligible voters 88,470
Liberal hold Swing +15.70
Source: Elections Canada[13][14]
2011 Canadian federal election: Vancouver Centre
Party Candidate Votes%±%
LiberalHedy Fry18,26031.03-3.47
New DemocraticKaren Shillington15,32526.04+4.73
ConservativeJennifer Clarke15,32326.04+0.95
GreenAdriane Carr9,08915.44-2.87
LibertarianJohn Clarke3130.53-0.07
Progressive CanadianMichael Huenefeld2850.48–
PirateTravis McCrea1920.33–
Marxist–LeninistMichael Hill620.11-0.05
Total valid votes 58,849100.0  
Total rejected ballots 1340.23
Turnout 58,98359.23
Eligible voters 99,527
Liberal hold Swing -4.10
2008 Canadian federal election: Vancouver Centre
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalHedy Fry19,50634.50-9.37$80,974
ConservativeLorne Mayencourt14,18825.09+4.73$91,239
New DemocraticMichael Byers12,04721.31-7.34$85,957
GreenAdriane Carr10,35418.31+12.43$82,713
LibertarianJohn Clarke3400.60+0.07$0
Marxist–LeninistMichael Hill940.16
Total valid votes/expense limit 56,529100.0   $94,404
Liberal hold Swing -7.05
2006 Canadian federal election: Vancouver Centre
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalHedy Fry25,01343.80+3.50$77,826
New DemocraticSvend Robinson16,37428.67-3.62$84,170
ConservativeTony Fogarassy11,68420.46+1.26$86,591
GreenJared Evans3,3405.84-0.94$1,008
LibertarianJohn Clarke3040.53-0.04
MarijuanaHeathCliff Dion Campbell2590.45–$115
Christian HeritageJoe Pal1300.22-0.24$389
Total valid votes 57,104100.0  
Total rejected ballots 1630.28-0.15
Turnout 57,26762.06+0.59
Liberal hold Swing +3.56
2004 Canadian federal election: Vancouver Centre
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalHedy Fry21,28040.30-2.00$66,619
New DemocraticKennedy Stewart17,05032.29+20.25$57,675
ConservativeGary Mitchell10,13919.20-18.70$73,789
GreenRobbie Mattu3,5806.78+2.85$2,440
LibertarianJohn Clarke3040.57–$60
Christian HeritageJoe Pal2430.46–$389
Canadian ActionAlexander Frei1010.19-1.08$100
CommunistKimball Cariou960.18+0.01$389
Total valid votes 52,793100.0  
Total rejected ballots 2260.43-0.05
Turnout 53,01961.470.97
Liberal hold Swing -11.12
Change for the Conservatives is based on the combined totals of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservatives.
2000 Canadian federal election: Vancouver Centre
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalHedy Fry24,55342.30+1.54$69,017
AllianceJohn Mortimer15,17626.14+3.56$68,158
New DemocraticScott Robertson6,99312.04-8.83$8,841
Progressive ConservativeLee Johnson6,82811.76+2.52$4,047
GreenJamie Lee Hamilton2,2853.93+0.93$3,945
MarijuanaMarc Emery1,1161.92–
Canadian ActionJeff Jewell7421.27+0.24$547
Natural LawValerie Laporte1770.30-0.12$40
CommunistKimball Cariou990.17–$189
Marxist–LeninistJoseph Theriault750.12-0.10$364
Total valid votes 58,044100.0  
Total rejected ballots 2800.48-0.05
Turnout 58,32460.50-4.22
Liberal hold Swing -1.01
Change for the Canadian Alliance is based on the Reform Party.
1997 Canadian federal election: Vancouver Centre
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalHedy Fry20,87840.76+9.57$54,905
ReformRichard Farbridge11,56722.58+5.12$24,846
New DemocraticBill Siksay10,69020.87+5.69$27,133
Progressive ConservativeVictoria Minnes4,7369.24-15.81$43,121
GreenPaul Alexander1,5413.00+2.05$2,154
IndependentJoseph Roberts7281.42–$6,163
Canadian ActionConnie Fogal5281.03–$12,986
Natural LawJohn Cowhig2170.42-0.62
IndependentJohn Clarke1250.24–$2,687
Marxist–LeninistJoseph Theriault1160.22–$559
IndependentElvis Flostrand920.17–$699
Total valid votes 51,218100.0  
Total rejected ballots 2720.53
Turnout 51,49064.72
Liberal hold Swing +2.22
1993 Canadian federal election: Vancouver Centre
Party Candidate Votes%±%
LiberalHedy Fry19,31031.19+8.38
Progressive ConservativeKim Campbell15,51025.05-12.19
ReformIan Isbister10,80817.46+16.08
New DemocraticBetty Baxter9,39715.18-21.63
NationalThorsten Ewald4,9497.99–
Natural LawJohn Cowhig6431.04–
GreenImtiaz Popat5860.95+0.14
Christian HeritageDarren Lowe2420.39–
LibertarianTunya Audain2200.36+0.11
IndependentBrian Godzilla Gnu Salmi1140.18–
IndependentScott Adams830.13-0.07
Commonwealth of CanadaLucille Boikoff250.04–
IndependentPeter C. Nuthall240.04–
Total valid votes 61,911100.0  
Liberal gain from Progressive Conservative Swing +10.28

References

  1. 1 2 Hume, Stephen (March 20, 2017). "Canada 150: 'Underestimate Hedy Fry at your peril'". Vancouver Sun.
  2. ↑ @hedyfry (April 6, 2011). "#netculture Great event. Trying to figure out my ethnic background. How's east-indian, chinese, scottish, spanish?" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  3. ↑ "Hedy Fry, "Guide and Scout Week" on Feb. 19th, 2003 | openparliament.ca". openparliament.ca. Retrieved 2018-11-30.
  4. ↑ "Minister apologizes for cross burning remarks". CBC News. 22 March 2001. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  5. ↑ Lazaruk, S. (2011-05-03). "Fry breezes by NDP and Tory candidates". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved May 3, 2011.
  6. ↑ "Prime Minister announces new National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians". Prime Minister of Canada. 2017-11-06. Retrieved 2019-12-05.
  7. ↑ Tasker, John Paul (22 October 2015). "Meet the Class of 2015: Notable rookies headed to Parliament Hill". CBC News. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  8. ↑ "Hedy Fry appointed new Special Representative on Gender Issues". www.oscepa.org. Retrieved 2019-12-05.
  9. ↑ "Confirmed candidates — Vancouver Centre". Elections Canada. 1 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  10. ↑ "Candidate Campaign Returns". Elections Canada. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  11. ↑ "List of confirmed candidates". Elections Canada. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  12. ↑ "Official Voting Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  13. ↑ Elections Canada – Confirmed candidates for Vancouver Centre, 30 September 2015
  14. ↑ Elections Canada – Preliminary Election Expenses Limits for Candidates
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