Shaughnessy Cohen
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth Shaughnessy Cohen (February 11, 1948 - December 9, 1998) was a Canadian
politician who represented the riding of Windsor—St. Clair
for the Liberal Party of Canada
from 1993 until her death in 1998.
She was born in London, Ontario
, and worked as a lawyer before entering politics. She stood as the Liberal candidate in Windsor—St. Clair in the 1988 election
, but lost to New Democratic Party
incumbent Howard McCurdy
. However, in the 1993 election
, Cohen defeated McCurdy for the seat. She was then re-elected in 1997
.
On December 9, 1998, she collapsed in the House of Commons
just seconds after standing to address the House. She had suffered a cerebral hemorrhage, and was pronounced dead soon afterward.
In the byelection that followed in early 1999, Liberal candidate Rick Limoges
narrowly defeated Joe Comartin of the NDP. However, in the 2000 election
, Comartin won the seat.
instituted a literary award, the Shaughnessy Cohen Award for Political Writing, in her memory. Journalist Susan Delacourt published a biography of Cohen, Shaughnessy: The Passionate Politics of Shaughnessy Cohen, the same year.
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 who represented the riding of Windsor—St. Clair
Windsor—St. Clair
Windsor—St. Clair was a federal electoral district represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1988 to 2003. It was located in the province of Ontario, and included a part of the city of Windsor. This riding was created in 1987 as "Windsor—Lake St. Clair" from parts of Essex—Windsor and...
for the Liberal Party of Canada
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...
from 1993 until her death in 1998.
She was born in London, Ontario
London, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
, and worked as a lawyer before entering politics. She stood as the Liberal candidate in Windsor—St. Clair in the 1988 election
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 ....
, but lost to 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...
incumbent Howard McCurdy
Howard McCurdy
Howard Douglas McCurdy is a retired Canadian politician and university professor.McCurdy studied at the University of Western Ontario, where he received a Bachelor of Arts, and later at Assumption University, where he received a Bachelor of Science. He was awarded a Master of Science and a Ph.D...
. However, in 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...
, Cohen defeated McCurdy for the seat. She was then re-elected in 1997
Canadian federal election, 1997
The Canadian federal election of 1997 was held on June 2, 1997, to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 36th Parliament of Canada. Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's Liberal Party of Canada won a second majority government...
.
On December 9, 1998, she collapsed in the House of Commons
Canadian House of Commons
The House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
just seconds after standing to address the House. She had suffered a cerebral hemorrhage, and was pronounced dead soon afterward.
In the byelection that followed in early 1999, Liberal candidate Rick Limoges
Rick Limoges
Richard Limoges is a former Canadian politician, who represented the electoral district of Windsor—St. Clair in the Canadian House of Commons from 1999 to 2000....
narrowly defeated Joe Comartin of the NDP. However, 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....
, Comartin won the seat.
Legacy
In 2000, the Writers' Trust of CanadaWriters' Trust of Canada
The Writers' Trust of Canada is a non-profit organization which provides financial support to Canadian writers.Founded by Margaret Atwood, Pierre Berton, Graeme Gibson, David Young and Margaret Laurence, the Writers' Trust of Canada was registered as a non-profit organization in 1976...
instituted a literary award, the Shaughnessy Cohen Award for Political Writing, in her memory. Journalist Susan Delacourt published a biography of Cohen, Shaughnessy: The Passionate Politics of Shaughnessy Cohen, the same year.