Dennis Heeney
Encyclopedia
Dennis Heeney is a Manitoba
politician. In the provincial elections of 1986 and 1988, he was the leader of the province's Confederation of Regions Party
, a group that opposed the extension of French-language rights and sought greater autonomy for western Canada
(unlike the Western Canada Concept
and Western Independence Party
, it did not seek full independence for the western provinces).
Heeney was serving as the reeve of Elton
in 1983 when he became active in a provincial controversy over the entrenchment of francophone services. Hebert p205 At the time, NDP
Premier
Howard Pawley
was attempting to reintroduce French-language services into the province's parliament and legal system. Heeney spoke out against the initiative at a public meeting in Brandon
, claiming that it would effectively amount to granting special privileges for only 6% of Manitoba's population. Heeney subsequently became involved in Manitoba Grassroots, Hebert p205 an anti-bilingualism coalition led by renegade NDP backbencher Russell Doern
. In February 1984, he led a protest outside a Brandon NDP convention.
Later in the year, Heeney ran as a candidate for the national Confederation of Regions Party
in the federal riding of Brandon-Souris. He received 6322 votes, finishing second to Progressive Conservative
candidate Lee Clark
(who received 18,813 votes).
A provincial CoR party was also founded in 1984, and Heeney replaced Douglas Edmondson
as its leader shortly thereafter. The party ran fifteen candidates in the provincial election of 1986, placing second in four rural, anglophone ridings. Heeney, running in the riding of Minnedosa, received 1508 votes for a third-place finish.
Although this result was fairly respectable for a newly-formed party, it disappointed many CoR supporters who hoped that at least a few of their candidates would be elected. The party declined in status, and became marginalized after the bilingualism controversy died down.
Heeney continued to lead the party into the election of 1988. The Manitoba CoR fielded fourteen candidates, although none came close to being elected. Heeney, running again in Minnedosa, received 820 votes for a fourth-place finish.
Heeney appears to have resigned as Manitoba CoR leader soon after the election. He returned to municipal politics, and served as reeve of Elton from 1978 to 2001. Heeney died on Wednesday, November 15, 2006 at the age of 73 years
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
politician. In the provincial elections of 1986 and 1988, he was the leader of the province's Confederation of Regions Party
Manitoba Confederation of Regions Party
The Manitoba Confederation of Regions Party was a political party in Manitoba, Canada. It was the provincial branch of the Confederation of Regions Party of Canada, a right-wing organization which sought greater autonomy for Western Canada. Unlike the Western Canada Concept and the Western...
, a group that opposed the extension of French-language rights and sought greater autonomy for western Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
(unlike the Western Canada Concept
Western Canada Concept
The Western Canada Concept was a Western Canadian political party founded in 1980 to promote the separation of the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia and the Yukon and Northwest Territories from Canada in order to create a new nation.The party argued that Western...
and Western Independence Party
Western Independence Party
The Western Independence Party was a Canadian political party that advocated the separation from Canada of the western Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba as well as the Yukon and Northwest Territories to form a new country.The WIP ran 11 candidates in the...
, it did not seek full independence for the western provinces).
Heeney was serving as the reeve of Elton
Elton, Manitoba
Elton is a rural municipality in the Canadian province of Manitoba, located to the north of the city of Brandon. The community was incorporated in 1883, and its first officials took office the following year.Its population in 2001 was 1,321.-External links:...
in 1983 when he became active in a provincial controversy over the entrenchment of francophone services. Hebert p205 At the time, NDP
New Democratic Party of Manitoba
The New Democratic Party of Manitoba is a social-democratic political party in Manitoba, Canada. It is the provincial wing of the federal New Democratic Party, and is a successor to the Manitoba Co-operative Commonwealth Federation...
Premier
Premier
Premier is a title for the head of government in some countries and states.-Examples by country:In many nations, "premier" is used interchangeably with "prime minister"...
Howard Pawley
Howard Pawley
Howard Russell Pawley, PC, OC, OM is a Canadian politician and professor who was the 18th Premier of Manitoba from 1981 to 1988.-Personal life:...
was attempting to reintroduce French-language services into the province's parliament and legal system. Heeney spoke out against the initiative at a public meeting in Brandon
Brandon, Manitoba
Brandon is the second largest city in Manitoba, Canada, and is located in the southwestern area of the province. Brandon is the largest city in the Westman region of Manitoba. The city is located along the Assiniboine River. Spruce Woods Provincial Park and CFB Shilo are a relatively short distance...
, claiming that it would effectively amount to granting special privileges for only 6% of Manitoba's population. Heeney subsequently became involved in Manitoba Grassroots, Hebert p205 an anti-bilingualism coalition led by renegade NDP backbencher Russell Doern
Russell Doern
Russell Doern was a Manitoba politician. He served as a cabinet minister in the New Democratic government of Edward Schreyer , but left the New Democratic Party in 1984....
. In February 1984, he led a protest outside a Brandon NDP convention.
Later in the year, Heeney ran as a candidate for the national Confederation of Regions Party
Confederation of Regions Party of Canada
The Confederation of Regions Party was a right-wing Canadian political party founded in 1984 by Elmer Knutson. It was founded as a successor to the Western Canada Federation , a non-partisan organization, to fight the Liberal Party of Canada...
in the federal riding of Brandon-Souris. He received 6322 votes, finishing second to Progressive Conservative
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada was a Canadian political party with a centre-right stance on economic issues and, after the 1970s, a centrist stance on social issues....
candidate Lee Clark
Lee Clark (Canadian politician)
Walter Leland Rutherford "Lee" Clark was a Progressive Conservative party member of the Canadian House of Commons. He was born in Davidson, Saskatchewan and was a professor by career....
(who received 18,813 votes).
A provincial CoR party was also founded in 1984, and Heeney replaced Douglas Edmondson
Douglas Edmondson
Douglas Edmondson was a political figure in Manitoba, Canada during the 1980s. He was the first leader of that province's Confederation of Regions Party, although he never actually ran in a provincial election....
as its leader shortly thereafter. The party ran fifteen candidates in the provincial election of 1986, placing second in four rural, anglophone ridings. Heeney, running in the riding of Minnedosa, received 1508 votes for a third-place finish.
Although this result was fairly respectable for a newly-formed party, it disappointed many CoR supporters who hoped that at least a few of their candidates would be elected. The party declined in status, and became marginalized after the bilingualism controversy died down.
Heeney continued to lead the party into the election of 1988. The Manitoba CoR fielded fourteen candidates, although none came close to being elected. Heeney, running again in Minnedosa, received 820 votes for a fourth-place finish.
Heeney appears to have resigned as Manitoba CoR leader soon after the election. He returned to municipal politics, and served as reeve of Elton from 1978 to 2001. Heeney died on Wednesday, November 15, 2006 at the age of 73 years