Victor Copps
Encyclopedia
Victor Kennedy Copps (March 21, 1919 - October 15, 1988) was a Canadian
politician and Mayor
of Hamilton
.
Born in Haileybury, Ontario, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force
during World War II
, following which, he worked in Timmins, Ontario
for a local newspaper. In 1945 he moved to Hamilton to become a sports broadcaster on CHML. He entered local politics in 1960, winning a seat on the Board of Control and becoming deputy Mayor. He ran for Mayor in 1962 defeating the incumbent. He sparked outrage among Hamilton's Protestant community, as one of his first official acts was to abolish the annual Orange Order
Parade, a staple of Hamilton for many years. In 1964 he was an unsuccessful candidate at the Ontario Liberal Party
's leadership convention
. Copps continued as mayor until 1976 when he was forced to retire following a heart attack
while running in the Around the Bay Road Race
. He was the city's first Roman Catholic mayor and its second-longest serving holder of that office. Under his leadership, the city engaged in a major project of urban renewal
. The city's Copps Coliseum
is named after him.
Vic Copps is the father of Sheila Copps
, a former Canadian cabinet minister.
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...
politician and Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Hamilton
Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
.
Born in Haileybury, Ontario, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, following which, he worked in Timmins, Ontario
Timmins, Ontario
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...
for a local newspaper. In 1945 he moved to Hamilton to become a sports broadcaster on CHML. He entered local politics in 1960, winning a seat on the Board of Control and becoming deputy Mayor. He ran for Mayor in 1962 defeating the incumbent. He sparked outrage among Hamilton's Protestant community, as one of his first official acts was to abolish the annual Orange Order
Orange Institution
The Orange Institution is a Protestant fraternal organisation based mainly in Northern Ireland and Scotland, though it has lodges throughout the Commonwealth and United States. The Institution was founded in 1796 near the village of Loughgall in County Armagh, Ireland...
Parade, a staple of Hamilton for many years. In 1964 he was an unsuccessful candidate at the Ontario Liberal Party
Ontario Liberal Party
The Ontario Liberal Party is a provincial political party in the province of Ontario, Canada. It has formed the Government of Ontario since the provincial election of 2003. The party is ideologically aligned with the Liberal Party of Canada but the two parties are organizationally independent and...
's leadership convention
Ontario Liberal leadership conventions
Ballot-by-ballot results of leadership elections in the Ontario Liberal Party, a political party in the Province of Ontario, Canada.Note: Before 1919, the leaders of the Ontario Liberal Party were chosen by the party's elected Members of the Legislative Assembly...
. Copps continued as mayor until 1976 when he was forced to retire following a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
while running in the Around the Bay Road Race
Around the Bay Road Race
Around the Bay Road Race, is the oldest long distance road race in North America, held in Hamilton, Ontario since 1894, nearly three years before the Boston Marathon, though is not marathon length...
. He was the city's first Roman Catholic mayor and its second-longest serving holder of that office. Under his leadership, the city engaged in a major project of urban renewal
Urban renewal
Urban renewal is a program of land redevelopment in areas of moderate to high density urban land use. Renewal has had both successes and failures. Its modern incarnation began in the late 19th century in developed nations and experienced an intense phase in the late 1940s – under the rubric of...
. The city's Copps Coliseum
Copps Coliseum
Copps Coliseum is a sports and entertainment arena, on the corner of Bay Street North and York Boulevard, in Hamilton, Ontario. Depending on event, the Copps Coliseum has a capacity of up to 19,000.It is named after the former Hamilton mayor, Victor K...
is named after him.
Vic Copps is the father of Sheila Copps
Sheila Copps
Sheila Maureen Copps, PC is a former Canadian politician who also served as Deputy Prime Minister of Canada from November 4, 1993 to April 30, 1996 and June 19, 1996 to June 11, 1997....
, a former Canadian cabinet minister.