Sheila Copps

The Honourable Sheila Maureen Copps, PC, (born November 27, 1952, in Hamilton, Ontario) is a Canadian journalist and politician.

Early career

Copps earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in French and English from the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, and pursued further studies at McMaster University in Hamilton and the University of Rouen in France. She worked as a newspaper journalist, both with the Hamilton Spectator and the Ottawa Citizen.

Related Topics:
Bachelor of Arts - University of Western Ontario - London, Ontario - McMaster University - University of Rouen - France - Hamilton Spectator - Ottawa Citizen

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Copps entered provincial politics in 1977, running for the Liberal Party of Ontario in the riding of Hamilton Centre, where she finished 14 votes behind incumbent New Democrat Mike Davison. During this election, Copps campaigned as "Sheila Copps Miller", using the surname of her then-husband.

Related Topics:
1977 - Liberal Party of Ontario - Mike Davison

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After working as a constituency assistant to party leader Stuart Smith for the next four years, Copps again ran in Hamilton Centre in 1981. This time she defeated Davison by almost 3000 votes, and joined 33 other Liberals in forming the Official Opposition to Premier William Davis's Progressive Conservative government. In 1982, Copps ran for the leadership of the Ontario Liberal Party, finishing second to future Premier David Peterson.

Related Topics:
Stuart Smith - William Davis - David Peterson

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

She switched to federal politics two years later, representing the Liberals in the riding of Hamilton East. The 1984 election swept Brian Mulroney and his Progressive Conservatives to an overwhelming victory; though Copps won her seat, she would have relatively few allies in the House of Commons. Copps would prove to be an influential member of the small Liberal opposition (quickly dubbed the Rat Pack), earning praise and scorn for her spirited attacks on Mulroney and his ministers. After a mere two years of federal political life she released the autobiography Nobody's Baby, and by all accounts was seen as a rising star in Canadian politics--perhaps destined to be Canada's first female Prime Minister. With the resignation of Liberal leader John Turner in 1990, Copps raised her national profile considerably by running in the Liberal leadership race, finishing third behind Jean Chrétien and Paul Martin, Jr..

Related Topics:
Riding - 1984 - Brian Mulroney - Progressive Conservatives - House of Commons - Rat Pack - Nobody's Baby - Prime Minister - John Turner - 1990 - Liberal leadership race - Jean Chrétien - Paul Martin, Jr.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~