Canadian politician (born 1984)
Daniel Blaikie MP is a Canadian politician who has served as the member of Parliament (MP) for Elmwood—Transcona since October 19, 2015. A member of the New Democratic Party (NDP), he was elected to the House of Commons in the 2015 federal election.
Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Blaikie completed a bachelor's degree in history and philosophy from the University of Winnipeg, before earning a master's degree in philosophy from Concordia University. He later trained as an electrician, before entering politics. His father, Bill Blaikie, served as an NDP MP and member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba (MLA). His sister, Rebecca Blaikie, served as the NDP's president and treasurer.
Early life and education
Daniel Blaikie was born to Brenda and Bill Blaikie in the northeast Winnipeg suburb of Transcona. He studied philosophy and history at the University of Winnipeg, earning a Bachelor of Arts (BA), before earning a Master of Arts (MA) in philosophy at Concordia University in Montreal.[1]
Blaikie taught courses in the introduction to philosophy at the University of Winnipeg and later trained as an electrician,[2] becoming very active in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.[1]
Blaikie has been involved in several community engagements in Transcona, Winnipeg, and in the province of Manitoba. He has sat on the board of directors of the Transcona Historical Museum in the past and continues to maintain his interest and involvement with the museum. As an MP, he currently sits as an honorary board member.[citation needed]
Blaikie is an active associate member of the Royal Canadian Legion - Branch #7, known by locals as the Transcona Legion. With its official formation date being December 6, 1926, the legion celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2016. He commemorated the anniversary as a Member of Parliament by using his allotted time for Statements by Members in the House of Commons to speak to the Legion's history and relevance in the community.[3]
Before becoming an MP, Blaikie was a board member of the Apprenticeship and Certification Board of Manitoba, which coordinates the apprenticeship and certification system in Manitoba.[4]
After being elected to the House of Commons, Daniel Blaikie continued to sit on the executive of the Winnipeg Labour Council for a period. During his electoral campaign in 2015, the council was active in supporting his campaign to become a Member of Parliament.[5]
Political career
Blaikie was nominated as the NDP candidate for his father's former riding ahead of the 2015 election. He defeated Conservative incumbent Lawrence Toet by only 61 votes, the lowest margin of victory for any MP elected that year. He was the only non-Liberal elected from a Winnipeg riding. He defeated Toet in a 2019 rematch by a much larger margin of over 3,500.[6]
42nd Parliament
Blaikie is a Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics, and is also a member of several parliamentary associations, including the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association, Canada-Ireland Interparliamentary Group, Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association, Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group, and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), as well a part of the Canadian Delegations to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), NATO Parliamentary Association (NATO PA) and ParlAmericas.[citation needed]
