Home > Harry Rankin

Rankin was born in Vacouver to a secular Jewish family which had immigrated from the Ukraine. His father was a factory worker and his mother was a working class woman who had grown up in Glasgow's Jewish community.

Rankin dropped out of school at the age of 14 to work in a bakery. He became involved in politics by joining the baker's trade union and going out on strike. He served in the Canadian army during World War II and saw action in Italy.

After the war he finished his high school education, went to university where he joined the Communist Party of CanadaCommunist Party of Canada Current Leader Founded May, 1921 Headquarters 290A Danforth Avenue Toronto, OntarioM4K 1N6 Colours Red Political ideology Communist The Communist Party of Canada is a communist political party in Canada. Party History The CPC was's youth club, and earned a law degree.

Communists were banned from joining the bar and Rankin was forced to sign a declaration that he was not a communist. For this reason he did not take out formal party membership even though he was a supporter of the party.

As a lawyer, Rankin fought for and helped establish the province's legal aidIn general Most liberal democracies consider that it is necessary to provide some level of legal aid to persons otherwise unable to afford legal representation. To not do so would deprive such persons of access to the court system. Alternately, they would system.

Rankin ran for office on numerous occasions before being elected to Vancouver's city council in 1966Events January January 1 In a coup, Colonel Jean-Bedel Bokassa ousts president David Dacko and takes over the Central African Republic. January 2 Strike of public transportation workers in New York City ends January 13 January 3 First Acid Test at the Fil as the sole independent alderman on a council dominated by the conservative Non-Partisan AssociationThe Non-Partisan Association the NPA is a civic-level political party operating in Vancouver, Canada. Established in the 1930's, the party advocates conservative principles. It has traditionally been led and supported by persons affiliated with the federa. Vancouver's aldermen were elected through an "at large" system rather than by wardA ward is a department in a hospital or similar such institution. In Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States, a ward (politics is an electoral area of a parish, town, borough, city, district or county In Japan, a ward ku or in Japanese) is a sec meaning voters from wealthier neighbourhoods were able to monopolise council elections and that only candidates who could afford a city-wide campaign had a chance of being elected.

Rankin helped form the Committee of Progressive ElectorsThe Coalition of Progressive Electors COPE is a municipal political party in the Canadian city of Vancouver, British Columbia. It follows generally left-wing principles. In 2002 Vancouverites elected their first COPE mayor, Larry Campbell. COPE was founde (COPE) as a left wing civic political party.

Rankin was a 20 year veteran of city council when he ran for MayorA mayor ( Latin major "better") is the chief executive official of a city, town, or village. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs as to the powers and responsibilities of a mayor, as well as the means of becoming mayor. The French in 19861986 is a common year starting on Wednesday. Events January January 1 Spain and Portugal enter the European Community January 1 Aruba gains increased autonomy from the Netherlands and is separated from the Netherlands Antilles. January 9 After losing a pa losing to Gordon Campbell. He returned to city council as an alderman in the subsequent election and remained on the body until his retirement from politics in 1993.

He died on February 26, 2002 from a heart attack.

Rankin's widow, Connie Fogal, is the current leader of the Canadian Action Party.