{{Short description|Canadian politician}} {{Use Canadian English|date=September 2021}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = | name = George Heyman | honorific_suffix = | image = 250px | caption = | birth_date = | birth_place = Vancouver | office = Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy of British Columbia | term_start = July 18, 2017 | term_end = November 18, 2024 | premier = John Horgan<br>David Eby | predecessor = Jordan Sturdy (Minister of Environment) | successor = Tamara Davidson | office1 = Minister responsible for TransLink | term_start1 = November 24, 2020 | term_end1 = December 7, 2022 | premier1 = John Horgan<br>David Eby | predecessor1 = ''position established'' | successor1 = ''position abolished'' | assembly2 = British Columbia Legislative | constituency_AM2 = Vancouver-Fairview | term_start2 = May 14, 2013 | term_end2 = September 21, 2024 | predecessor2 = Margaret MacDiarmid | successor2 = | party = New Democratic Party | profession = | occupation = Environmentalist, politician, trade unionist | spouse = | children = }}
'''George Heyman''' is a Canadian politician and former social, environmental and labour activist. He represented the district of Vancouver-Fairview in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia from 2013 until 2024 as a member of the British Columbia New Democratic Party (BC NDP). He served as Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy of British Columbia.
==Background== He was born in Vancouver to Stefan and Marta Heyman, a Polish-Jewish couple who escaped occupied Poland during the Second World War by way of Japan with the help of Chiune Sugihara, the Japanese Empire vice-consul at Kaunas, Lithuania.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-30|title=Learning his family's history |url=https://www.jewishindependent.ca/tag/george-heyman/|access-date=2023-03-15|publisher=The Jewish Independent|language=en-CA}}</ref> The Heymans were sponsored by relatives in Canada, settling in Vancouver where Stefan worked as a machinist while getting his engineering credentials recognized.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-04-07|title=MLA seeks out positive solutions |url=https://www.jewishindependent.ca/mla-seeks-out-positive-solutions/|access-date=2023-03-15|publisher=The Jewish Independent|language=en-CA}}</ref>
Heyman briefly worked as a logger before becoming a log scaler with the British Columbia Ministry of Forests in 1978.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2017-07-26|title=Near-death logging experience part of George Heyman's practical background on forest, environmental issues |url=https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/near-death-logging-experience-part-of-george-heymans-practical-background-on-forest-environmental-issues|access-date=2023-03-15|publisher=Vancouver Sun|first=Larry |last=Pynn|language=en-CA}}</ref> He became involved in the labour movement, eventually serving as president of the British Columbia Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) from 1999 to 2008.<ref name="VanSun170719">{{Cite news|date=2017-07-19|title=Environmentalists rejoice as George Heyman becomes minister of environment and climate change |url=https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/environmentalists-rejoice-as-george-heyman-becomes-minister-of-environment-and-climate-change|access-date=2023-03-15|publisher=Vancouver Sun|first=Larry |last=Pynn|language=en-CA}}</ref> As a representative of BCGEU, he was a federal government appointee as a governor of the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety from 1998 to 2000.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-30|title=Annual Report of the Council 1998/99 |url=https://www.ccohs.ca/ccohs/reports/1998_1999_annual_report.pdf|access-date=2023-03-15|publisher=Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety|language=en-CA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-30|title=Report of the Council April 1, 2000 to March 31, 2001 |url=https://www.ccohs.ca/ccohs/reports/annual_rpte_00_01.pdf|access-date=2023-03-15|publisher=Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety|language=en-CA}}</ref> He also served on the governing panel of administrators of the B.C. Workers’ Compensation Board (now WorkSafeBC) from 1997 to 2001,<ref>{{Cite web|date=1997-06-26|title=Order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council 735/1997 |url=https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/oic/arc_oic/0735_1997|access-date=2023-03-15|publisher=Province of British Columbia|language=en-CA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2001-09-28|title=Order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council 885/2001|url=https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/oic/arc_oic/0885_2001|access-date=2023-03-15|publisher=Province of British Columbia|language=en-CA}}</ref> and chaired the WCB’s audit committee.
From April 2009 to December 2012 Heyman served as executive director of the Sierra Club BC.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-09-27|title=Analysis: Anticipated B.C. announcement would begin process of creating national park |url=https://www.timeschronicle.ca/analysis-anticipated-b-c-announcement-would-begin-process-of-creating-national-park/|access-date=2023-03-15|publisher=Osoyoos Times|language=en-CA}}</ref> He oversaw the financial and administrative health of the organization as well as being Sierra Club’s primary public spokesperson on issues regarding energy, mining, conservation of species and habitat, climate change, environmental assessment, forest management and sustainable economic alternatives. Effective January 1, 2013, he took a leave of absence to run in the provincial election.
==Politics== Heyman faced high-profile Vancouver city councillor Geoff Meggs in the nomination contest to become the BC NDP candidate for Vancouver-Fairview in the 2013 provincial election. The contest was described by Norman Ruff, professor emeritus at the University of Victoria, as a "clash of titans." While both candidates were considered potential cabinet material, ''The Globe and Mail'' reported that Heyman had "the right stuff to be a power player" in an NDP government.<ref name=rightstuff>[https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/george-heyman-has-right-stuff-to-be-power-player-for-ndp-if-elected/article4633601/ "George Heyman has right stuff to be power player for NDP if elected".] ''The Globe and Mail'', October 23, 2012.</ref> On October 21, 2012, Heyman defeated Meggs by winning 58% of the votes, becoming the party's candidate Vancouver-Fairview.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2012-10-21|title=George Heyman wins NDP nomination over Geoff Meggs in Vancouver-Fairview |url=https://www.straight.com/news/george-heyman-wins-ndp-nomination-over-geoff-meggs-vancouver-fairview|access-date=2023-03-15|publisher=The Georgia Straight|first=Charlie|last=Smith|language=en-CA}}</ref>
Heyman won the seat on election day, defeating incumbent BC Liberal cabinet minister Margaret MacDiarmid.<ref name="Global130515">{{Cite news|date=2013-05-15|title=Vancouver-Fairview results: NDP candidate Heyman defeats Liberal minister MacDiarmid |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/563591/vancouver-fairview-results-ndp-candidate-heyman-defeats-liberal-minister-macdiarmid/|access-date=2023-03-15|publisher=Global News|first=Leslie|last=Young|language=en-CA}}</ref> With the NDP once again forming the official opposition, Heyman at one point considered running in the 2014 leadership election to replace Adrian Dix before deciding against it.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-09-19|title=Actively considering NDP leadership bid, Heyman outlines vision |url=https://thetyee.ca/Blogs/TheHook/2013/09/19/HeymanConsiders/|access-date=2023-03-15|publisher=The Tyee|first=Andrew|last=MacLeod|language=en-CA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-02-07|title=NDP MLA George Heyman staying out of leadership contest |url=https://www.straight.com/news/583391/ndp-mla-george-heyman-staying-out-leadership-contest|access-date=2023-03-15|publisher=The Georgia Straight|first=Carlito|last=Pablo|language=en-CA}}</ref> In the 40th Parliament of British Columbia he served as critic for the environment, green economy and technology.<ref>{{Cite web|title=40th Parliament Members at dissolution on April 11, 2017: George Heyman |url=https://www.leg.bc.ca/learn-about-us/members/40th-Parliament/heyman-George|access-date=2023-03-15|publisher=Legislative Assembly of British Columbia|language=en-CA}}</ref> Until February 2016 he also held responsibility for film, television and TransLink.
After winning re-election in the 2017 provincial election,<ref>{{Cite news|date=2017-05-10|title=NDP win new seat in City of Vancouver but lose tight race in False Creek |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/ndp-win-new-seat-in-city-of-vancouver-but-lose-tight-race-in-false-creek-1.4104037|access-date=2023-03-15|publisher=CBC News|first=Maryse|last=Zeidler|language=en-CA}}</ref> Heyman was appointed the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy in the newly formed NDP minority government on July 18, 2017.<ref name="VanSun170719"/>
Heyman defeated Liberal candidate and former Vancouver city councillor George Affleck at the 2020 provincial election,<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-10-25|title=B.C. election 2020: Vancouver-Fairview results |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7335871/bc-election-202-vancouver-fairview/|access-date=2023-03-15|publisher=Global News|first1=Richard|last1=Zussman|first2=Simon|last2=Little|language=en-CA}}</ref> as the NDP achieved a majority government. Following the election, on November 24, 2020 he was given the additional role of Minister responsible for TransLink in the second cabinet of Premier John Horgan.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-11-26|title=B.C.'s new cabinet: Rob Fleming out as education minister, Selina Robinson heads finance |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7486060/b-c-premier-to-swear-in-cabinet-following-majority-election-win/|access-date=2023-03-15|publisher=Global News|first1=Richard|last1=Zussman|language=en-CA}}</ref> In the new cabinet announced by Premier David Eby on December 7, 2022, he retained the post of Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, while the separate TransLink portfolio was abolished.<ref>{{Cite web |title=B.C. Premier David Eby unveils new cabinet with Niki Sharma, Katrine Conroy and Ravi Kahlon in top posts |url=https://vancouversun.com/news/politics/bc-premier-david-eby-new-cabinet |access-date=2022-12-07 |newspaper=Vancouver Sun |language=en-CA}}</ref>
On March 4, 2024, Heyman announced he would not be seeking re-election in that year's general election.
==Electoral record== {{2020 British Columbia general election/Vancouver-Fairview}} {{2017 British Columbia general election/Vancouver-Fairview}} {{2013 British Columbia general election/Vancouver-Fairview}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category|George Heyman}} * [http://georgeheymanmla.ca George Heyman] * [https://www.leg.bc.ca/mla/40thParl/heyman-George.htm MLA Profile]
{{s-start}} {{Canadian federal ministry navigational box header |ministry=David_Eby}} {{ministry box cabinet posts | post1preceded = cont'd from Horgan Ministry | post1 = Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Strategy | post1years = November 18, 2022 – | post1note = | post1followed = Incumbent | post2preceded = cont'd from Horgan Ministry | post2 = Minister responsible for TransLink | post2years = November 18, 2022 – December 7, 2022 | post2note = | post2followed = position abolished }} {{Canadian federal ministry navigational box header |ministry=John_Horgan}} {{ministry box cabinet posts | post1preceded = Jordan Sturdy | post1 = Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Strategy | post1years = July 18, 2017 – November 18, 2022 | post1note = | post1followed = cont'd into Eby Ministry | post2preceded = position established | post2 = Minister responsible for TransLink | post2years = November 24, 2020 – November 18, 2022 | post2note = | post2followed = cont'd into Eby Ministry }} {{s-end}}
{{Eby ministry}} {{Horgan Ministry}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Heyman, George}} Category:Living people Category:Academic staff of Simon Fraser University Category:British Columbia New Democratic Party MLAs Category:Canadian environmentalists Category:Canadian people of Polish-Jewish descent Category:Ministers of the environment of Canadian provinces Category:Jewish Canadian politicians Category:Members of the Executive Council of British Columbia Category:Politicians from Vancouver Category:Sierra Club people Category:Trade unionists from British Columbia Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:21st-century members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia