Dan Heap
Encyclopedia
Daniel James Macdonnell "Dan" (or "Don") Heap (born September 24, 1925) is a former Canadian
politician with the New Democratic Party
, a political activist and an Anglican priest. He represented the Toronto
, Ontario
, Canada
riding of Spadina
, which, in 1988, was renamed Trinity—Spadina
, from 1981 until 1993. As an activist he has been involved in the peace movement, community issues around housing, homelessness, poverty and refugee rights among other social justice issues.
on a scholarship, and then Queen's University
and University of Chicago
. He became an Anglican
, studied divinity at McGill University
and turned to socialism
as a member of the Society of the Catholic Commonwealth, the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation
and Student Christian Movement. He was ordained a priest within the Anglican Church of Canada
in 1950, and was renowned for his help in the community. He and his wife Alice Heap (née Boomhour) sold their family home in Toronto's Kensington Market
area at a fraction of the market price to a community organisation which provides housing for refugees.
After working as a parish priest for only a few years, Heap's longest-held job (18 years) was as a labourer in a box factory in Toronto, where he became involved in a union (now the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada
) and attempted to “bring socialism to the Canadian worker.”
's candidate in Spadina
in the 1968 federal election
placing second. He also ran in the 1971 provincial election against Allan Grossman
in the riding of St. Andrew—St. Patrick
. He lost that election by 1137 votes. His first success in politics came when he was elected in the 1972 municipal election as the junior Alderman for Ward 6. When the Liberal
Member of Parliament
for Spadina, Peter Stollery
, was appointed to the Senate
in 1981, Heap decided to run in the subsequent by-election. Prime Minister
Pierre Trudeau
had recommended Stollery for appointment to the Senate in order to open the "safe Liberal riding" for his aide Jim Coutts
. Heap defeated Coutts in the by-election, however, and was re-elected in the 1984
and 1988 elections
. He retired prior to the 1993 election
.
, East Timor
, and South Africa
. Heap is also noted for hiring a young Olivia Chow
as his constituency office assistant.
Despite retiring from politics, Heap remained involved as an activist, strongly backing the anti-war movement, and supporting NDP candidates in the region. He also remained involved at the downtown Church of the Holy Trinity
and social justice issues within the Anglican Church of Canada. In retirement, he preferred to go by the name "Don Heap", which he used before entering electoral politics.
In his late seventies and early eighties he remained involved in various issues such as refugee rights. He co-founded the Toronto Disaster Relief Committee to campaign on the issue of homelessness.
Heap suffered a heart attack in 2005 and was also diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease
. In 2011, he and his wife faced eviction from their retirement home as they await admission to a long-term care facility, for which they have been on a waiting list for five years. In October 2011, Heap was admitted to the Kensington Gardens facility while his wife continues to wait for a space.
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 with 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...
, a political activist and an Anglican priest. He represented the Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, 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...
riding of Spadina
Spadina (electoral district)
Spadina was a Canadian electoral district that was represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1935 to 1988. It covered a portion of the western-central Toronto. Its name comes from the Spadina Avenue, which runs through the heart of the riding....
, which, in 1988, was renamed Trinity—Spadina
Trinity—Spadina
Trinity—Spadina is a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1988.It generally encompasses the western portion of Downtown Toronto. In the 2001 Canadian census, the riding had 106,094 people, of whom 74,409 were eligible to...
, from 1981 until 1993. As an activist he has been involved in the peace movement, community issues around housing, homelessness, poverty and refugee rights among other social justice issues.
Early life
From a middle-class Winnipeg family, Heap attended the elite Upper Canada CollegeUpper Canada College
Upper Canada College , located in midtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is an independent elementary and secondary school for boys between Senior Kindergarten and Grade Twelve, operating under the International Baccalaureate program. The secondary school segment is divided into ten houses; eight are...
on a scholarship, and then Queen's University
Queen's University
Queen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England...
and University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
. He became an Anglican
Anglicanism
Anglicanism is a tradition within Christianity comprising churches with historical connections to the Church of England or similar beliefs, worship and church structures. The word Anglican originates in ecclesia anglicana, a medieval Latin phrase dating to at least 1246 that means the English...
, studied divinity at McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
and turned to socialism
Socialism
Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
as a member of the Society of the Catholic Commonwealth, the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation
Co-operative Commonwealth Federation
The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation was a Canadian political party founded in 1932 in Calgary, Alberta, by a number of socialist, farm, co-operative and labour groups, and the League for Social Reconstruction...
and Student Christian Movement. He was ordained a priest within the Anglican Church of Canada
Anglican Church of Canada
The Anglican Church of Canada is the Province of the Anglican Communion in Canada. The official French name is l'Église Anglicane du Canada. The ACC is the third largest church in Canada after the Roman Catholic Church and the United Church of Canada, consisting of 800,000 registered members...
in 1950, and was renowned for his help in the community. He and his wife Alice Heap (née Boomhour) sold their family home in Toronto's Kensington Market
Kensington Market
Kensington Market is a distinctive multicultural neighbourhood in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Market is an older neighbourhood and one of the city's most well-known. In November 2006, it was designated a National Historic Site of Canada. Robert Fulford wrote in 1999 that "Kensington...
area at a fraction of the market price to a community organisation which provides housing for refugees.
After working as a parish priest for only a few years, Heap's longest-held job (18 years) was as a labourer in a box factory in Toronto, where he became involved in a union (now the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada
Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada
See also Simple Certificate Enrollment Protocol SCEPCommunications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada, abbreviated CEP in English and SCEP in French, is a largely private sector labour union with 150,000 members...
) and attempted to “bring socialism to the Canadian worker.”
Politics
Heap entered politics to continue to oppose poverty, war and homelessness, and ran as the New Democratic PartyNew 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...
's candidate in Spadina
Spadina (electoral district)
Spadina was a Canadian electoral district that was represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1935 to 1988. It covered a portion of the western-central Toronto. Its name comes from the Spadina Avenue, which runs through the heart of the riding....
in the 1968 federal election
Canadian federal election, 1968
The Canadian federal election of 1968 was held on June 25, 1968, to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 28th Parliament of Canada...
placing second. He also ran in the 1971 provincial election against Allan Grossman
Allan Grossman
Allan Grossman was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Canada, for 20 years, a provincial cabinet minister and the father of the late former leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party, Larry Grossman. Together, the father and son represented the downtown Toronto, Ontario,...
in the riding of St. Andrew—St. Patrick
St. Andrew—St. Patrick
St. Andrew—St. Patrick was a provincial electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that returned Members of Provincial Parliament to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario at Queen's Park....
. He lost that election by 1137 votes. His first success in politics came when he was elected in the 1972 municipal election as the junior Alderman for Ward 6. When the Liberal
Liberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for Spadina, Peter Stollery
Peter Stollery
Peter Alan Stollery is a former Canadian politician and businessman.-Background:An old Yorkville family, the Stollerys owned a famous furnishings store named Stollery’s, which opened in 1901 in downtown Toronto...
, was appointed to the Senate
Canadian Senate
The Senate of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the House of Commons, and the monarch . The Senate consists of 105 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister...
in 1981, Heap decided to run in the subsequent by-election. Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Canada
The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution...
Pierre Trudeau
Pierre Trudeau
Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau, , usually known as Pierre Trudeau or Pierre Elliott Trudeau, was the 15th Prime Minister of Canada from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and again from March 3, 1980 to June 30, 1984.Trudeau began his political career campaigning for socialist ideals,...
had recommended Stollery for appointment to the Senate in order to open the "safe Liberal riding" for his aide Jim Coutts
Jim Coutts
James Allan Coutts, is a Canadian lawyer, businessman, and former advisor to two Prime Ministers.Born in High River, Alberta, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1960 and a law degree in 1961 from the University of Alberta and an MBA from the Harvard Business School in 1968...
. Heap defeated Coutts in the by-election, however, and was re-elected in the 1984
Canadian federal election, 1984
The Canadian federal election of 1984 was held on September 4 of that year to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 33rd Parliament of Canada...
and 1988 elections
Canadian federal election, 1988
The Canadian federal election of 1988 was held November 21, 1988, to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 34th Parliament of Canada. It was an election largely fought on a single issue: the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement ....
. He retired prior to the 1993 election
Canadian federal election, 1993
The Canadian federal election of 1993 was held on October 25 of that year to elect members to the Canadian House of Commons of the 35th Parliament of Canada. Fourteen parties competed for the 295 seats in the House at that time...
.
Later life
Heap was an outspoken MP, serving as NDP critic on immigration, and a prominent spokesperson for social justice issues both in Canada and abroad. He was very concerned with issues such as refugees, the situations in Central AmericaCentral America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
, East Timor
East Timor
The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, commonly known as East Timor , is a state in Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the nearby islands of Atauro and Jaco, and Oecusse, an exclave on the northwestern side of the island, within Indonesian West Timor...
, and South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. Heap is also noted for hiring a young Olivia Chow
Olivia Chow
Olivia Chow is a Canadian New Democratic Party Member of Parliament and former city councillor in Toronto. She won the Trinity—Spadina riding for the New Democratic Party on January 23, 2006, becoming a member of the Canadian House of Commons. Most recently, she was re-elected in her riding for...
as his constituency office assistant.
Despite retiring from politics, Heap remained involved as an activist, strongly backing the anti-war movement, and supporting NDP candidates in the region. He also remained involved at the downtown Church of the Holy Trinity
Church of the Holy Trinity, Toronto
The Church of the Holy Trinity is an Anglican church in downtown Toronto, Canada at Trinity Square.-History:The modest Gothic Revival structure was built in 1847 by architect Henry Bowyer Lane, who also designed Little Trinity Anglican Church on King Street and St. George the Martyr Church in Toronto...
and social justice issues within the Anglican Church of Canada. In retirement, he preferred to go by the name "Don Heap", which he used before entering electoral politics.
In his late seventies and early eighties he remained involved in various issues such as refugee rights. He co-founded the Toronto Disaster Relief Committee to campaign on the issue of homelessness.
Heap suffered a heart attack in 2005 and was also diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
. In 2011, he and his wife faced eviction from their retirement home as they await admission to a long-term care facility, for which they have been on a waiting list for five years. In October 2011, Heap was admitted to the Kensington Gardens facility while his wife continues to wait for a space.