Home > Svend Robinson

As the longest-serving British Columbia MP in his time, in office from 1979 to 20042004 is a leap year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 2004 calendar), and has also been designated the: International Year of Rice International Year to Commemorate the Struggle against Slavery and its Abolition Elections are to be held in 73 co, Svend Robinson is notable for having been the first MPA Member of Parliament or MP is a representative elected by the voters of an electoral district to a parliament; in the Westminster system, specifically to the lower house. Australia In Australia, the term Member of Parliament refers specifically to a mem to come out as a homosexual, in spring 19881988 is a leap year starting on Friday (click on link for calendar). Events January January 2 Georgia celebrates its bicentennial statehood. January 9 Connecticut celebrates its bicentennial statehood. January 26 Australia celebrates its bicentennial day.. Although faced with homophobia from some members of the House of Commons, over the years he has been followed by other out homosexuals in parliament, Bloc QuébécoisBloc Quebecois Current Leader Gilles Duceppe Founded June 15, 1991 Headquarters 3750 Cremazie Blvd. East Suite 307 Montreal, QuebecH2A 1B6(514) 725-5252 Colours Light Blue Political ideology Social Democrat, Nationalist & Sovereigntist The Bloc Quebecois MP Réal MénardReal Menard is a Canadian politician, representing the Quebec riding of Hochelaga for the Bloc Quebecois. He is notable as the second Canadian Member of Parliament to come out as gay. The first was Svend Robinson. Menard, Real Menard, Real., fellow New Democrats Libby Davies and Bill Siksay, and Liberal MPs Scott Brison and Mario Silva.

Robinson ran to succeed Audrey McLaughlin at the 1995 NDP leadership convention but withdrew in favour of Alexa McDonough after the first ballot despite the fact that he had received the most votes. Robinson realised that he could not defeat McDonough on the second ballot since most of the votes cast by supporters of third place finisher Lorne Nystrom would have gone to her.

Robinson is a self-described socialist, and is commonly regarded as being one of the most left wing figures in Canadian politics. He is best known for his dislike of American foreign policy, especially towards Cuba, and his distrust of corporations. He was the NDP's foreign policy critic until 2001, when he was forced to resign after making a controversial visit to Yasser Arafat in Israel.

Robinson is also a committed activist. He was involved in the First Nations aboriginal land claims standoff at 100 Mile House; fighting for the right of Sue Rodriguez to receive assisted suicide; the anti-logging protests at Clayoquot Sound; and the protests against the FTAA during the Summit of the Americas in Quebec City in April 2001.

He was in his time one of the NDP's most popular MPs, particularly popular in his own riding due to the above-average level of activity of his community offices. He has been involved in the New Politics Initiative and the NDP's renewal process, although he remained committed to the party after the NPI's near miss at the 2001 general convention in Winnipeg.

On April 15, 2004, Robinson admitted to the theft of a piece of jewelry valued by the RCMP at $ Cdn 21,500. He claimed the theft was stress-related. He announced that he was going on a medical leave of absence and was stepping aside as a nominated candidate in the 2004 federal election. He turned himself in to police on April 14, and was formally charged with one count of theft over $5,000 on June 21. On August 6, he pleaded guilty, and was given a conditional discharge. He was sentenced to a year's probation and 100 hours of community service, but will not have a criminal record, a sentence the Crown described as "appropriate." [1]

Robinson's long-time assistant Bill Siksay was nominated in his place as NDP candidate for Burnaby-Douglas; Siksay won the riding in the federal election in June 2004. Robinson has denied rumours that he will run for the BC NDP in the 2005 provincial election .

He is currently employed by the British Columbia Government and Service Employees Union as an arbitrator and advocate.