Dennis Gruending
Encyclopedia
Dennis Gruending is a Canadian
journalist and politician. He is primarily a writer of non-fiction
, but also published a book of poetry
and various pieces of short fiction. He is a journalist who has worked for three newspapers and for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
as a radio host, radio producer, and television reporter.
He was elected to Parliament
as a New Democratic Party
candidate in a 1999 by-election
in the riding of Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar
, following the resignation of Chris Axworthy
. However, he lost to Carol Skelton
of the Canadian Alliance
in the 2000 election
Greuending's 1999 Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar
by-election campaign came under intense scrutiny from Reform Party
candidate Jim McAllister. On one occasion, McAllister, along with a handful of reporters drove to the Gruending home in Saskatoon
's north end where McAllister referred to Gruending as a "parachute candidate". To add insult to injury, McAllister showed the media photos of the Gruending home in Ottawa
, an oxygen mask
because McAllister said that Eastern Canadian residents often complained about the air quality, and a detailed map of the Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar riding where McAllister claimed he was the only candidate who actually lived in the riding. Gruending, ended up with the last laugh, defeating both McAllister and Saskatoon
mayor Henry Dayday
, who was running for the Liberal Party
.
In the 2004 election
, Gruending ran again in Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar, but lost.
Gruending has written five books, including biographies of former Saskatchewan premier Allan Blakeney
, and another of Supreme Court of Canada
Justice Emmett Hall. Gruending's latest book, Great Canadian Speeches was published in 2004 and was a Canadian best seller.
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...
journalist and politician. He is primarily a writer of non-fiction
Non-fiction
Non-fiction is the form of any narrative, account, or other communicative work whose assertions and descriptions are understood to be fact...
, but also published a book of poetry
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
and various pieces of short fiction. He is a journalist who has worked for three newspapers and for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
as a radio host, radio producer, and television reporter.
He was elected to Parliament
Parliament of Canada
The Parliament of Canada is the federal legislative branch of Canada, seated at Parliament Hill in the national capital, Ottawa. Formally, the body consists of the Canadian monarch—represented by her governor general—the Senate, and the House of Commons, each element having its own officers and...
as a 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...
candidate in a 1999 by-election
By-election
A by-election is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections....
in the riding of Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar
Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar
Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar is a federal electoral district in Saskatchewan, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1997.-Geography:...
, following the resignation of Chris Axworthy
Chris Axworthy
Christopher S. Axworthy is a Canadian politician.After teaching law at the University of New Brunswick and Dalhousie Law School, Chris Axworthy came to Saskatoon in 1984 as the founding Executive Director of the and as a Professor of Law at the University of Saskatchewan...
. However, he lost to Carol Skelton
Carol Skelton
Carol Skelton, PC is a Canadian politician. She is a member of the Security Intelligence Review Committee which oversees the operation of Canadian Security Intelligence Service...
of the Canadian Alliance
Canadian Alliance
The Canadian Alliance , formally the Canadian Reform Conservative Alliance , was a Canadian conservative political party that existed from 2000 to 2003. The party was the successor to the Reform Party of Canada and inherited its position as the Official Opposition in the House of Commons and held...
in the 2000 election
Canadian federal election, 2000
The 2000 Canadian federal election was held on November 27, 2000, to elect 301 Members of Parliament of the Canadian House of Commons of the 37th Parliament of Canada....
Greuending's 1999 Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar
Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar
Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar is a federal electoral district in Saskatchewan, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1997.-Geography:...
by-election campaign came under intense scrutiny from Reform Party
Reform Party of Canada
The Reform Party of Canada was a Canadian federal political party that existed from 1987 to 2000. It was originally founded as a Western Canada-based protest party, but attempted to expand eastward in the 1990s. It viewed itself as a populist party....
candidate Jim McAllister. On one occasion, McAllister, along with a handful of reporters drove to the Gruending home in Saskatoon
Saskatoon
Saskatoon is a city in central Saskatchewan, Canada, on the South Saskatchewan River. Residents of the city of Saskatoon are called Saskatonians. The city is surrounded by the Rural Municipality of Corman Park No. 344....
's north end where McAllister referred to Gruending as a "parachute candidate". To add insult to injury, McAllister showed the media photos of the Gruending home in 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...
, an oxygen mask
Oxygen mask
An oxygen mask provides a method to transfer breathing oxygen gas from a storage tank to the lungs. Oxygen masks may cover the nose and mouth or the entire face...
because McAllister said that Eastern Canadian residents often complained about the air quality, and a detailed map of the Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar riding where McAllister claimed he was the only candidate who actually lived in the riding. Gruending, ended up with the last laugh, defeating both McAllister and Saskatoon
Saskatoon
Saskatoon is a city in central Saskatchewan, Canada, on the South Saskatchewan River. Residents of the city of Saskatoon are called Saskatonians. The city is surrounded by the Rural Municipality of Corman Park No. 344....
mayor Henry Dayday
Henry Dayday
Henry Dayday was the mayor of Saskatoon from 1988 to 2000. He was the 1999 Liberal candidate in Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar and sought the Conservative Party nomination for the 2004 general election in Saskatoon-Humboldt....
, who was running for the Liberal Party
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...
.
In the 2004 election
Canadian federal election, 2004
The Canadian federal election, 2004 , was held on June 28, 2004 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 38th Parliament of Canada. The Liberal government of Prime Minister Paul Martin lost its majority, but was able to form a minority government after the elections...
, Gruending ran again in Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar, but lost.
Gruending has written five books, including biographies of former Saskatchewan premier Allan Blakeney
Allan Blakeney
Allan Emrys Blakeney, PC, OC, SOM, QC, FRSC was the tenth Premier of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan from 1971 to 1982, and leader of the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party .-Life and career:...
, and another of Supreme Court of Canada
Supreme Court of Canada
The Supreme Court of Canada is the highest court of Canada and is the final court of appeals in the Canadian justice system. The court grants permission to between 40 and 75 litigants each year to appeal decisions rendered by provincial, territorial and federal appellate courts, and its decisions...
Justice Emmett Hall. Gruending's latest book, Great Canadian Speeches was published in 2004 and was a Canadian best seller.