Allison Brewer
Encyclopedia
Allison Brewer is a Canadian social activist and politician
, and the former leader of the New Brunswick New Democratic Party
. She has been particularly active in areas of lesbian and gay rights and access to abortion
.
's abortion clinic in Fredericton
, New Brunswick
before moving to Nunavut
in 2000. In Nunavut, she continued her activism organizing gay pride
events and lobbying
for the passage of the Nunavut Human Rights Act.
A prominent member of Egale Canada
, she was one of its two representatives to the United Nations Conference on Women in 1995. At the event, which was held in Beijing
, she was briefly detained by Chinese
officials for displaying a banner which read Lesbian rights are human rights.
In 2004, she was one of seven recipients of the Governor General
's Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case.
Brewer returned to her native New Brunswick in late 2004 and on May 14 of the following year announced her candidacy for the leadership
of the New Brunswick New Democratic Party
. On June 23, 2005, the final day for candidates to register, she briefly became the leader-presumptive as the only candidate, however the party extended the deadline to July 12 with her consent and two other candidates entered the race. Brewer went on to win the leadership on September 25, 2005 at a convention in Fredericton
, becoming the first openly gay leader of a provincial party.
Brewer was thrust quickly into a potential election campaign. Her predecessor as leader, Elizabeth Weir
resigned from the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
on October 13, 2005 and a by-election
was set for November 14. Brewer briefly toyed with running but held a news conference
on October 18 indicating she would not run saying that it was too soon after her election as leader to enter another election campaign and citing her desire to prepare the party for the next election and improve her command of French
.
She later announced that she intended to run against Minister of Health Brad Green
in the riding of Fredericton South in the next election but, following an electoral redistribution
, she announced she would run in the new riding of Fredericton-Lincoln
.
An early election was called for September 2006
and the NDP faced a number of challenges.
On August 21, CBC Radio reported that "NDP staff had set up signs and a podium on the steps of the legislature for Brewer to make an announcement on respect for the legislature, this was in contravention of rules that forbid campaigining on the legislative grounds and the announcement was moved to the sidewalk adjacent to the property." Brewer has said that this is "a misrepresentation of what happened and is the subject of a complaint with the broadcaster" and that she "was not on the steps, nor anywhere near the steps of the Legislature that day" Regardless of the veracity of the report, the fact that this was reported as such was disadvantageous.
Despite expecting to run a full slate of candidates as late as August 23, the NDP only nominated 48 of a possible 55 candidates.
Finally, despite a commitment to participate in the French debate, Brewer later withdrew when the Radio-Canada television network would not provide simultaneous translation.
On election day, the NDP suffered its worst result since the 1974 election
, winning no seats and only 5.1% of the popular vote. In her own riding of Fredericton-Lincoln, Brewer finished third with 15% of the vote despite a visit to her riding by federal NDP leader Jack Layton
.
Shortly after the election, former party president Charles Fournier and Father Roger Duguay, both candidates in the election with the latter receiving more votes than any other NDP candidate, questioned Brewer's leadership, with Fournier openly calling for her resignation. Other candidates, however, including the sitting party president, offered their renewed support and Brewer herself described the support she was receiving from party members as "overwhleming".
However, on November 6, 2006, Brewer announced her resignation to the press, stating that it was for financial reasons. It was also announced that party president Pat Hanratty served as interim leader
until the October 13, 2007 leadership convention
, which chose Roger Duguay
as the party's new leader.
Brewer has three children: Oliver Glencross, Will Brewer and Anna Brewer.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, and the former leader of the New Brunswick New Democratic Party
New Brunswick New Democratic Party
The New Brunswick New Democratic Party is a social-democratic provincial political party in New Brunswick, Canada linked with the federal New Democratic Party .-Origins and early history:...
. She has been particularly active in areas of lesbian and gay rights and access to abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
.
Biography
She was the founder and long time director of Dr. Henry MorgentalerHenry Morgentaler
Henry Morgentaler, CM is a Canadian physician and prominent pro-choice advocate who has fought numerous legal battles for that cause.-Early life:...
's abortion clinic in Fredericton
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Fredericton is the capital of the Canadian province of New Brunswick, by virtue of the provincial parliament which sits there. An important cultural, artistic, and educational centre for the province, Fredericton is home to two universities and cultural institutions such as the Beaverbrook Art...
, New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
before moving to Nunavut
Nunavut
Nunavut is the largest and newest federal territory of Canada; it was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999, via the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, though the actual boundaries had been established in 1993...
in 2000. In Nunavut, she continued her activism organizing gay pride
Gay pride
LGBT pride or gay pride is the concept that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people should be proud of their sexual orientation and gender identity...
events and lobbying
Lobbying
Lobbying is the act of attempting to influence decisions made by officials in the government, most often legislators or members of regulatory agencies. Lobbying is done by various people or groups, from private-sector individuals or corporations, fellow legislators or government officials, or...
for the passage of the Nunavut Human Rights Act.
A prominent member of Egale Canada
Egale Canada
Egale Canada is an advocacy organization founded in 1986 to advance equality for Canadian lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their families, across Canada....
, she was one of its two representatives to the United Nations Conference on Women in 1995. At the event, which was held in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, she was briefly detained by Chinese
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
officials for displaying a banner which read Lesbian rights are human rights.
In 2004, she was one of seven recipients of the Governor General
Governor General of Canada
The Governor General of Canada is the federal viceregal representative of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II...
's Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case.
Brewer returned to her native New Brunswick in late 2004 and on May 14 of the following year announced her candidacy for the leadership
New Brunswick New Democratic Party leadership election, 2005
The New Brunswick New Democratic Party, a social democratic political party in the Canadian province of New Brunswick, held a leadership election in 2005, following the resignation of previous leader Elizabeth Weir on October 8, 2004...
of the New Brunswick New Democratic Party
New Brunswick New Democratic Party
The New Brunswick New Democratic Party is a social-democratic provincial political party in New Brunswick, Canada linked with the federal New Democratic Party .-Origins and early history:...
. On June 23, 2005, the final day for candidates to register, she briefly became the leader-presumptive as the only candidate, however the party extended the deadline to July 12 with her consent and two other candidates entered the race. Brewer went on to win the leadership on September 25, 2005 at a convention in Fredericton
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Fredericton is the capital of the Canadian province of New Brunswick, by virtue of the provincial parliament which sits there. An important cultural, artistic, and educational centre for the province, Fredericton is home to two universities and cultural institutions such as the Beaverbrook Art...
, becoming the first openly gay leader of a provincial party.
Brewer was thrust quickly into a potential election campaign. Her predecessor as leader, Elizabeth Weir
Elizabeth Weir
Elizabeth Jane Weir is a lawyer and politician in New Brunswick, Canada. She was elected leader of the New Democratic Party of New Brunswick in 1988 and became an opposition voice to the Liberal government, which held all 58 seats in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick.Born in Belfast,...
resigned from the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
The Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick is located in Fredericton. It was established de jure when the colony was created in 1784, but only came in to session in 1786 following the first elections in late 1785. Until 1891, it was the lower house in a bicameral legislature when its upper house...
on October 13, 2005 and a by-election
By-election
A by-election is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections....
was set for November 14. Brewer briefly toyed with running but held a news conference
News conference
A news conference or press conference is a media event in which newsmakers invite journalists to hear them speak and, most often, ask questions. A joint press conference instead is held between two or more talking sides.-Practice:...
on October 18 indicating she would not run saying that it was too soon after her election as leader to enter another election campaign and citing her desire to prepare the party for the next election and improve her command of French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
.
She later announced that she intended to run against Minister of Health Brad Green
Brad Green (politician)
Bradley V. Green, QC is a Canadian lawyer, judge and a former politician in the Province of New Brunswick....
in the riding of Fredericton South in the next election but, following an electoral redistribution
New Brunswick electoral redistribution, 2006
The New Brunswick electoral redistribution of 2006 was undertaken as a result of legislation introduced by Bernard Lord, the Premier of New Brunswick, Canada, on June 9, 2005...
, she announced she would run in the new riding of Fredericton-Lincoln
Fredericton-Lincoln
Fredericton-Lincoln is a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick, Canada. It was first created in the 2006 redrawing of electoral districts and was first used in the general election later that year...
.
An early election was called for September 2006
New Brunswick general election, 2006
The 36th New Brunswick general election was held on September 18, 2006, to elect 55 members to the 56th New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, the governing house of the province of New Brunswick, Canada....
and the NDP faced a number of challenges.
On August 21, CBC Radio reported that "NDP staff had set up signs and a podium on the steps of the legislature for Brewer to make an announcement on respect for the legislature, this was in contravention of rules that forbid campaigining on the legislative grounds and the announcement was moved to the sidewalk adjacent to the property." Brewer has said that this is "a misrepresentation of what happened and is the subject of a complaint with the broadcaster" and that she "was not on the steps, nor anywhere near the steps of the Legislature that day" Regardless of the veracity of the report, the fact that this was reported as such was disadvantageous.
Despite expecting to run a full slate of candidates as late as August 23, the NDP only nominated 48 of a possible 55 candidates.
Finally, despite a commitment to participate in the French debate, Brewer later withdrew when the Radio-Canada television network would not provide simultaneous translation.
On election day, the NDP suffered its worst result since the 1974 election
New Brunswick general election, 1974
The 28th New Brunswick general election was held on November 18, 1974, to elect 58 members to the 48th New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, the governing house of the province of New Brunswick, Canada...
, winning no seats and only 5.1% of the popular vote. In her own riding of Fredericton-Lincoln, Brewer finished third with 15% of the vote despite a visit to her riding by federal NDP leader Jack Layton
Jack Layton
John Gilbert "Jack" Layton, PC was a Canadian social democratic politician and the Leader of the Official Opposition. He was the leader of the New Democratic Party from 2003 to 2011, and previously sat on Toronto City Council, serving at times during that period as acting mayor and deputy mayor of...
.
Shortly after the election, former party president Charles Fournier and Father Roger Duguay, both candidates in the election with the latter receiving more votes than any other NDP candidate, questioned Brewer's leadership, with Fournier openly calling for her resignation. Other candidates, however, including the sitting party president, offered their renewed support and Brewer herself described the support she was receiving from party members as "overwhleming".
However, on November 6, 2006, Brewer announced her resignation to the press, stating that it was for financial reasons. It was also announced that party president Pat Hanratty served as interim leader
Interim leader
An interim leader, in Canadian politics, is a party leader appointed by the party's legislative caucus or the party's executive to temporarily act as leader when a gap occurs between the resignation or death of a party leader and the election of a formal successor...
until the October 13, 2007 leadership convention
New Brunswick New Democratic Party leadership election, 2007
The New Brunswick New Democratic Party held a leadership election, following the resignation of Allison Brewer, on November 6, 2006 subsequent to their previous convention on September 25, 2005....
, which chose Roger Duguay
Roger Duguay
Roger Duguay is a former Canadian politician and Roman Catholic priest. He sought election to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick unsuccessfully on four occasions as a representative of the New Brunswick New Democratic Party...
as the party's new leader.
Brewer has three children: Oliver Glencross, Will Brewer and Anna Brewer.