Daniel Blaikie

Daniel Blaikie
Blaikie in 2019
Member of Parliament
for Elmwood—Transcona
In office
October 19, 2015 – March 31, 2024
Preceded byLawrence Toet
Succeeded byLeila Dance
Personal details
Born1984 (age 39–40)
Transcona, Manitoba
Political partyNew Democratic
SpouseJanelle Blaikie
RelationsRebecca Blaikie (sister)
Children2
Parent(s)Bill Blaikie (father)
Brenda Blaikie (mother)
Residence(s)Winnipeg, Manitoba
Alma materUniversity of Winnipeg (B.A.)
Concordia University (M.A.)
ProfessionElectrician
Websitedanielblaikie.ndp.ca

Daniel Blaikie is a Canadian politician who served as the member of Parliament (MP) for Elmwood—Transcona from October 19, 2015 until March 31, 2024. 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. He currently works in the office of Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew as a special advisor for intergovernmental affairs.

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]

Community work

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]

Member of Parliament

Blaikie was a Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics, and was 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]

Blaikie announced his resignation from parliament, effective March 31, 2024, in order to accept a position in the office of Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew as special advisor on intergovernmental affairs.[7]

Electoral record

2021 Canadian federal election: Elmwood—Transcona
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Daniel Blaikie 20,791 49.69 +4.07 $63,992.50
Conservative Rejeanne Caron 11,768 28.13 -9.32 $53,284.18
Liberal Sara Mirwaldt 6,169 14.74 +2.42 $10,073.29
People's Jamie Cumming 2,435 5.82 +4.64 $276.86
Green Devlin Hinchey 676 1.62 -1.80 $0.00
Total valid votes/expense limit 41,839 99.26 – $106,782.98
Total rejected ballots 314 0.74 +0.03
Turnout 42,153 59.62 -2.72
Eligible voters 70,701
New Democratic hold Swing +6.69
Source: Elections Canada[8]
2019 Canadian federal election: Elmwood—Transcona
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Daniel Blaikie 19,786 45.63 +11.49 $84,787.58
Conservative Lawrence Toet 16,240 37.45 +3.45 $90,425.22
Liberal Jennifer Malabar 5,346 12.33 -17.18 $35,581.50
Green Kelly Manweiler 1,480 3.41 +1.05 none listed
People's Noel Gautron 512 1.18 – $2,119.25
Total valid votes/expense limit 43,364 99.28
Total rejected ballots 313 0.72 +0.30
Turnout 43,677 62.34 -3.26
Eligible voters 70,062
New Democratic hold Swing +4.02
Source: Elections Canada[9]
2015 Canadian federal election: Elmwood-Transcona
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Daniel Blaikie 14,709 34.14 -10.67 –
Conservative Lawrence Toet 14,648 34.00 -12.92 –
Liberal Andrea Richardson-Lipon 12,713 29.51 +24.32 –
Green Kim Parke 1,016 2.36 -0.71 –
Total valid votes/Expense limit 43,086 100.00   $198,870.74
Total rejected ballots 182 0.42 –
Turnout 43,268 66.35 –
Eligible voters 65,207
New Democratic gain from Conservative Swing +1.12
Source: Elections Canada[10][11][12]

References

  1. ^ a b "About Daniel". Daniel Blaikie. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
  2. ^ "Philosopher-turned-electrician takes a systematic approach to trades work". Alumni Engagement. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
  3. ^ "Hansard".
  4. ^ "Apprenticeship and Certification Board Home Page | Workforce Development | Province of Manitoba". gov.mb.ca. Retrieved 2016-10-10.
  5. ^ "In Manitoba labour movement in the middle of the election cycle storm | rankandfile.ca". rankandfile.ca. Archived from the original on 2016-10-11. Retrieved 2016-10-10.
  6. ^ "2019 Poll-by-poll results - Elmwood—Transcona". Elections Canada. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  7. ^ "New Democrat MP Daniel Blaikie to resign his seat, work for Manitoba premier". CTV News. No. February 28, 2024. Canadian Press. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  8. ^ "Elmwood—Transcona forty-fourth general election 2021 — Poll-by-poll results". Elections Canada. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  9. ^ "Elmwood—Transcona forty-third general election 2019 — Poll-by-poll results". Elections Canada. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  10. ^ Elections Canada – Confirmed candidates for Elmwood—Transcona, 30 September 2015
  11. ^ Elections Canada – Preliminary Election Expenses Limits for Candidates Archived 15 August 2015 at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ "Election Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved 20 October 2015.