Ian Orenstein
Encyclopedia
Ian Julius Orenstein is a political activist. Orenstein is the younger son of Oscar Orenstein
and Jean Orenstein. He first lived in Toronto until 1967. Orenstein has also lived from 1967 to 1972 in Schumacher and Timmins
and Ottawa
(1972–1979). In 1979 he moved back to Toronto to help take care of an ill relative.
Orenstein is a socialist, and a longtime member of the New Democratic Party
(NDP) of Canada.
In 1978, Orenstein ran for Mayor of Ottawa (see List of Ottawa municipal elections). One Ottawa newspaper at the time described him as a "Robin Hood
" figure. He finished in last place. Another NDP member, Marion Dewar
, won the election.
In 1986, he challenged Bob Rae
for the leadership of the Ontario NDP
. At the time, any member could challenge the leader at the bi-annual Ontario CCF/NDP leadership conventions
. This was principled symbolic protest against the increasingly centrist policy direction of the party under Rae's leadership. Orenstein had no chance of winning, and received only 38 votes against Rae's 776.
For many years, Orenstein has been involved in creating left-wing comic book
series, including Comic Book Socialism and General Strike Comics. In the first issue of Comic Book Socialism, a woman named Angie Wells goes back in time to change the course of Canadian history. In later issues Comic Book Socialism published, a continuing series that was an allegory: on the Neo Conservative Harris Ontario government called: Harass The Mean Spirit. Some issues satirised Rae's political career; later collected in a comic book called: Fundamentals of Opportunism. The comics were published by Rosa Comics.
Two of his comic page stories, Bank $t. and Tribune, were carried in the newspaper People's Voice in the late 1990s.
In 2003, Orenstein supported Bill Blaikie
for the leadership of the federal NDP.
Oscar Orenstein
Oscar Orenstein was a Canadian politician and artist. He studied art at the Ontario College of Art, The American Artists School in New York City, and elsewhere. During World War II he designed sets for the Canadian Army.Orenstein has exhibited his work in New York City, Montreal and Toronto...
and Jean Orenstein. He first lived in Toronto until 1967. Orenstein has also lived from 1967 to 1972 in Schumacher and Timmins
Timmins
Timmins is a city in northeastern Ontario, Canada on the Mattagami River. At the time of the Canada 2006 Census, Timmins' population was 42,997...
and Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
(1972–1979). In 1979 he moved back to Toronto to help take care of an ill relative.
Orenstein is a socialist, and a longtime member of the New Democratic Party
New Democratic Party
The New Democratic Party , commonly referred to as the NDP, is a federal social-democratic political party in Canada. The interim leader of the NDP is Nycole Turmel who was appointed to the position due to the illness of Jack Layton, who died on August 22, 2011. The provincial wings of the NDP in...
(NDP) of Canada.
In 1978, Orenstein ran for Mayor of Ottawa (see List of Ottawa municipal elections). One Ottawa newspaper at the time described him as a "Robin Hood
Robin Hood
Robin Hood was a heroic outlaw in English folklore. A highly skilled archer and swordsman, he is known for "robbing from the rich and giving to the poor", assisted by a group of fellow outlaws known as his "Merry Men". Traditionally, Robin Hood and his men are depicted wearing Lincoln green clothes....
" figure. He finished in last place. Another NDP member, Marion Dewar
Marion Dewar
Marion Dewar, CM was a prominent member of the New Democratic Party , mayor of Ottawa from 1978 to 1985 and a member of the Parliament of Canada from 1986 to 1988.-Early life:...
, won the election.
In 1986, he challenged Bob Rae
Bob Rae
Robert Keith "Bob" Rae, PC, OC, OOnt, QC, MP is a Canadian politician. He is the Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre and interim leader of the Liberal Party of Canada....
for the leadership of the Ontario NDP
Ontario New Democratic Party
The Ontario New Democratic Party or , formally known as New Democratic Party of Ontario, is a social democratic political party in Ontario, Canada. It is a provincial section of the federal New Democratic Party. It was formed in October 1961, a few months after the federal party. The ONDP had its...
. At the time, any member could challenge the leader at the bi-annual Ontario CCF/NDP leadership conventions
Ontario CCF/NDP leadership conventions
The Ontario New Democratic Party elects its leaders by secret ballot of the party members and/or their delegates at leadership elections, as did its predecessor, the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation . The party leader can be challenged for the leadership at the party's biennial convention...
. This was principled symbolic protest against the increasingly centrist policy direction of the party under Rae's leadership. Orenstein had no chance of winning, and received only 38 votes against Rae's 776.
For many years, Orenstein has been involved in creating left-wing comic book
Canadian comics
In spite of U.S. dominance of comic book sales in Canada and the overwhelming number of U.S. comic strips printed in Canadian newspapers there is such a thing as Canadian Comics. The only area where there is no American dominance is editorial cartoons...
series, including Comic Book Socialism and General Strike Comics. In the first issue of Comic Book Socialism, a woman named Angie Wells goes back in time to change the course of Canadian history. In later issues Comic Book Socialism published, a continuing series that was an allegory: on the Neo Conservative Harris Ontario government called: Harass The Mean Spirit. Some issues satirised Rae's political career; later collected in a comic book called: Fundamentals of Opportunism. The comics were published by Rosa Comics.
Two of his comic page stories, Bank $t. and Tribune, were carried in the newspaper People's Voice in the late 1990s.
In 2003, Orenstein supported Bill Blaikie
Bill Blaikie
William Alexander "Bill" Blaikie, PC is a Canadian politician. He has been a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba since April 2009, representing the Winnipeg division of Elmwood as a member of the New Democratic Party of Manitoba, and Minister of Conservation and Government House Leader...
for the leadership of the federal NDP.