Lillian Thomas

{{Short description|Canadian politician}} {{for|the Canadian journalist and feminist|Lillian Beynon Thomas}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Lillian Thomas | caption = | birth_date = | birth_place = Port Arthur, Ontario, Canada | office1 = Deputy Mayor of Winnipeg | term_start1 = 1998 | term_end1 = 2003 | predecessor1 = Jae Eadie | successor1 = Dan Vandal | office2 = Secretary of Urban Aboriginal Opportunities (Winnipeg) | term_start2 = 2004 | term_end2 = 2005 | predecessor2 = position created | successor2 = Mike Pagtakhan<ref>Pagtakhan was styled as Secretary of Aboriginal Opportunities.</ref> | office3 = Secretary of Intergovernmental Affairs (Winnipeg) | term_start3 = 2003 | term_end3 = 2004 | predecessor3 = Jae Eadie | successor3 = position eliminated | office4 = Member of Winnipeg's Executive Policy Committee | term_start4 = 1998 | term_end4 = 2005 | predecessor4 = | successor4 = | office5 = Winnipeg City Councillor for Elmwood-East Kildonan Ward | term_start5 = 2002 | term_end5 = 2010 | predecessor5 = ward created | successor5 = Thomas Steen | office6 = Winnipeg City Councillor for Elmwood | term_start6 = 1989 | term_end6 = 2002 | predecessor6 = Alf Skowron | successor6 = ward eliminated | party = | occupation = }}

'''Lillian Thomas''' (born 1949) was a city councillor in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada from 1989 until her retirement in 2010. She served on the council initially for Elmwood, and later for its successor ward of Elmwood-East Kildonan Ward.

==Early life==

Thomas was born in Port Arthur, which is now part of Thunder Bay, Ontario. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Lakehead University, and a Master of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Manitoba. She is married to Len Dalman (1978), and they have a son, David (1985).

Thomas was a long-time member of the New Democratic Party.<ref>Nick Martin, "Can WIN broaden its base? ...", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 25 June 1995.</ref>

==City councillor==

;Norrie and Thompson administrations (1989–1998)

Thomas was first elected to Winnipeg City Council in the 1989 municipal election, defeating veteran councillor Alf Skowron in the Elmwood ward. She was a member of the centre-left Winnipeg into the '90s (WIN) coalition that also included future mayor Glen Murray. In 1991, she served on a committee that recommended against the spraying malathion to combat the city's mosquito population.<ref>Val Werier, "Ban mosquito fogging forever" [editorial], ''Winnipeg Free Press''.</ref>

Re-elected in 1992, Thomas soon emerged as an opponent of new mayor Susan Thompson, who succeeded five-term incumbent Bill Norrie. Thomas was appointed to both the Planning and Community Services Committee and the Protection, Parks and Culture Committee in 1993, when the left and right wings of council formed a temporary alliance to overturn Thompson's planned appointments.<ref>Dan Lett, "Alliance approves postings: Civic factions unite to bypass mayor", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 4 November 1993.</ref>

Thomas opposed plans to build a new arena for the Winnipeg Jets hockey team in the mid-1990s.<ref>Nick Martin, "Arena-boosting kitty trimmed", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 13 October 1994. See also Dan Lett, "WIN airs budget with bigger tax hike", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 22 February 1994.</ref> She also criticized municipal expenditures on the Charleswood Bridge, and called for the project's funding to be redirected toward infrastructure renewal.<ref>Nick Martin, "Bridge over troubled body", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 17 September 1994.</ref> She supported Sunday shopping with some restrictions,<ref>"Sunday decision resented", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 31 March 1993.</ref> and endorsed a 1994 proposal to extend benefits to the same-sex partners of civic employees.<ref>Dan Lett, "Same-sex debate stews", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 5 July 1994.</ref>

Thomas was re-elected in 1995 over a strong challenge from former councillor Ray Brunka. Along with Glen Murray and Dan Vandal, she was one of only three WIN members returned to the new council. After the election, she was appointed to the Winnipeg Art Gallery board of governors, the Zoological Society of Manitoba and the medical advisory committee. In 1996, she opposed Mayor Thompson's proposed roll-back of municipal wages.<ref>Aldo Santin, "Wage rollback abandoned", 21 March 1996, A1.</ref> Thomas was almost relieved of her three board positions in late 1996, as the result of a controversial process that many believe was politically motivated. She retained her positions with the Art Gallery board and medical advisory committee following a lengthy debate, but was removed from the Zoological Society.<ref>Also Santin, 'Gang' hands out civic plums, ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 7 November 1996, A4.</ref> In 1997, she opposed businessman Sam Katz's proposal to construct a new baseball park in Winnipeg.<ref>Kelly Taylor, "City puts ball park on first with vote", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 29 May 1997, D3. She had previously criticized Mayor Thompson's decision to merge the city's fire and ambulance departments, on the grounds that it was undertaken without due consultation. See Aldo Santin, "Merger expert's hiring draws fire", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 21 February 1997, A5 and "Council gives blessing to fire-ambulance merger", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 23 July 1998, A7.. Thomas was one of two councillors to vote against the merger, along with Harry Lazarenko.</ref>

Thomas sought to become deputy speaker of the Winnipeg City Council in late 1997, but lost to John Prystanski.<ref>"Thompson announces new city team", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 6 November 1997, A5.</ref>

The WIN organization dissolved after the 1995 campaign.<ref>Aldo Santin, "WIN exiting city scene", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 17 October 1996, A16.</ref> Thomas received an endorsement from the New Democratic Party in the 1998 election, and was re-elected under its banner over another challenge from Ray Brunka.<ref>Linda Quattrin, "10 New Democrats run under banner", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 18 August 1998, A3. Thomas was also endorsed by the Canadian Union of Public Employees. See Bill Redekop, "Civic union puts out political wish list", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 5 October 1998, A3.</ref> While seeking re-election, she highlighted her success in adding a social equity component to the City of Winnipeg Act, in order to add a social dimension to urban planning.<ref>Glen MacKenzie, "Crime an issue in hot battle in Elmwood", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 22 October 1998, A5.</ref>

;Murray administration

Thomas's ally Glen Murray was elected as Mayor of Winnipeg in 1998, and subsequently appointed Thomas to his Executive Policy Committee as Deputy Mayor.<ref>Kim Guttormson, "Murray drafts balanced team", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 4 November 1998, A3.</ref> Over the next five years, she often represented the mayor at official events such as ribbon-cutting ceremonies and luncheons.<ref>Patti Edgar, "Key signatures", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 13 March 2004, H1.</ref> She also served on the Fiscal Issues Committee.<ref>David O'Brien, "Who wants to spend like a millionaire?", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 11 December 1999, A1.</ref>

Thomas called for the number of city councillors to be increased in this period, arguing that Winnipeg is too large to be governed by only fifteen representatives.<ref>Keith McArthur, "Overhaul begins on city political map", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 31 May 1999, A3.</ref> She opposed term limits for councillors, and described anti-mosquito fogging as a "necessary evil".<ref>David O'Brien, "EPC rejects term limits for council", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 5 October 2000, A14 [term limits]; David O'Brien, "No need to fear fogging, city says", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 11 June 1999 [fogging].</ref> She also endorsed the principle of rent controls, after school trustee Mario Santos proposed their abolition.<ref>Nick Martin, "Santos urges gov't to lift rent controls", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 11 January 2001, A7.</ref>

In July 2001, Thomas announced a two million dollar investment in inner-city development with funding from the federal, provincial and municipal governments.<ref>David O'Brien, "Three levels of government provide $2 million", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 7 July 2001, A6.</ref> Two months later, she was appointed to a provincial panel charged with charting the future of the Winnipeg region.<ref>Bill Redekop, "U of M professor to lead panel on capital region", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 20 September 2001, A20.</ref>

Thomas was re-elected in the 2002 municipal election, and retained her status as Deputy Mayor and her position on the Fiscal Issues Committee.<ref>Leah Hendry, "Mayor keeps inner-circle team intact", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 6 November 2002, A3; Mary Agnes Welch, "Rookies win plum positions on city council", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 13 November 2002, A6.</ref> She was a prominent supporter of Glen Murray's "new deal" plan for Winnipeg, and endorsed a full smoking ban in the city's public indoor spaces.<ref>Leah Hendry, "'All-out' butt ban is near: mayor", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 16 January 2003, A1; Mary Agnes Welch, "Tide hasn't turned against plan: Murray", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 22 October 2003, A3.</ref> She relinquished her responsibilities as Deputy Mayor in a November 2003 cabinet shuffle, and was appointed to oversee relations with the provincial government. Murray indicated that he made this appointment because Thomas was trusted by members of Gary Doer's administration.<ref>Mary Agnes Welch, "Is this Winnipeg's next mayor?", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 6 November 2003, D1.</ref>

In 2004, Thomas encouraged Manitoba New Democratic Party members to maintain their policy of endorsing Winnipeg council and school board candidates. Delegates overwhelmingly approved the policy at the party's convention.<ref>Nick Martin, "Endorsements to remain", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 8 March 2004, A5.</ref>

;Katz administration

Glen Murray resigned as mayor in mid-2004 to run for the House of Commons of Canada. Thomas supported Dan Vandal's bid to become his successor in the by-election that followed.<ref>Patti Edgar, "Ex-councillors trash garbage fees", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 18 May 2004, B1.</ref> The winning candidate was Sam Katz, whose platform Thomas had criticized.<ref>"Mayor Katz moves in", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 3 July 2004, B1.</ref> After the election, she opposed Katz's decision to shelve the implementation of a rapid transit plan for Winnipeg.<ref>Mary Agnes Welch, "Bus ride enlightens mayor", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 11 September 2004, B1.</ref> She nevertheless retained her position in Katz's executive committee, and in October 2004 was shuffled to the position of Secretary for Urban Aboriginal Opportunities.<ref>"Who got what", 20 October 2004, A8.</ref>

Thomas opposed Katz's plan to privatize municipal garbage collection in 2005, arguing that it would encourage private monopolies and drive prices upward in the long run.<ref>Mary Agnes Welch, "Trash talk angers union", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 17 May 2005, B1.</ref> She also spoke against the mayor's plan to build condominiums in Assiniboine Park.<ref>Mary Agnes Welch, "Katz facing battle to get condos in park", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 20 September 2005, A1.</ref> She was dropped from the city's executive in October 2005.

Thomas subsequently charged that Katz was stalling the creation of urban aboriginal reserves, and took the unusual step of releasing her report on the subject before it was submitted to committee.<ref>Mary Agnes Welch, "Stalling of urban reserve alleged", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 5 November 2005, B1.</ref> She later opposed the establishment of an Olywest pork production plant in Winnipeg's east end, and pressured the city to remove its financial incentives for the project.<ref>Bartley Kives, "Backing out on OlyWest bad idea, council told", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 20 May 2006, B1.</ref> The project was canceled in 2007.

Re-elected without difficulty in 2006, she soon emerged as one of Mayor Katz's most prominent critics on the new council.<ref>Mary Agnes Welch, "Thomas leads verbal charge", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 7 December 2006, B2.</ref> In early 2007, she spoke against Katz's plans to close the Kelvin Community Centre in her ward.<ref>Bartley Kives, "Community centre doomed", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 25 January 2007, B1.</ref> She later voted against a private-public partnership for Winnipeg's Disraeli Bridge and Freeway, and endorsed Jim Maloway's proposal to expand the bridge from four to six lanes.<ref>Bartley Kives, "Mayor blasts MLA on Disraeli plan", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 15 May 2008, B2.</ref>

Thomas opposed plans for Winnipeg to spend $7 million to subsidize a Canada Inns private water park, expressing concern that low-income residents would not be able to afford access to the site.<ref>Bartley Kives, "Water park plan all wet: councillors", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 16 July 2008, B1; Bartley Kives, "We'll decide on Point Douglas in August: Katz", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 17 July 2008. B1.</ref> In March 2009, she supported an unsuccessful motion by councillor Dan Vandal that would have banned corporate and union donations in municipal elections.<ref>Bartley Kives, "IKEA project gets council's OK", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 26 March 2009, B1.</ref>

In September 2010, Thomas announced she would retire rather than seek reelection in the following month's municipal elections.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/herald/Lillian-Thomas-reflects-on-20-year-career-103451164.html | title = Lillian Thomas reflects on 20-year career | work = The Herald | publisher = Canstar Community Newspapers | date = 2010-09-23 | accessdate = 2012-11-26}}</ref> She was succeeded on the council by Thomas Steen.

==Federal politics==

Thomas endorsed Bill Blaikie's bid for the federal New Democratic Party leadership in 2002. When Blaikie announced his retirement in 2007, she announced that she would consider seeking the party nomination for Elmwood—Transcona in the 2008 federal election.<ref>"Thomas considers running for NDP nomination in Elmwood-Transcona", ''Winnipeg Free Press'', 21 March 2007, Web Extra.</ref> She eventually decided to stay in municipal politics.

==Electoral record==

{{2006 Winnipeg municipal election/Councillor, Elmwood-East Kildonan Ward}}

{{2002 Winnipeg municipal election/Councillor, Elmwood-East Kildonan Ward}}

All electoral results from 1995 onward are provided by the City of Winnipeg. Results from 1989 and 1992 are taken from the ''Winnipeg Free Press'' newspaper.

==Footnotes== {{reflist}}

==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20090923023739/http://www.winnipeg.ca/council/thomas/cnclabot.htm Municipal biography page]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thomas, Lillian}} Category:Winnipeg city councillors Category:Living people Category:Women municipal councillors in Manitoba Category:Lakehead University alumni Category:Politicians from Thunder Bay Category:Women in Manitoba politics Category:1949 births Category:20th-century Canadian municipal councillors Category:20th-century Canadian women politicians Category:21st-century Canadian municipal councillors Category:21st-century Canadian women politicians