Evelyne Reese
Encyclopedia
Evelyne Reese is a retired politician in Winnipeg
, Manitoba
, Canada
. She served on the Winnipeg City Council
for fifteen years, and ran for the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba
on two occasions as a candidate of the Liberal Party
.
Reese was first elected to the Winnipeg City Council in the 1974 municipal election
, defeating incumbent councillor Michael Dennehy in the St. Boniface ward of Winakwa. She was endorsed by a centre-left group called the Civic Reform Coalition, while Dennehy was part of the governing centre-right Independent Citizens' Election Committee. Reese later ran in the 1977 provincial election
, and finished third against Progressive Conservative
Abe Kovnats
in Radisson. She was not a candidate in the 1977 municipal election, but returned to council in 1980 with a victory over incumbent councillor George Provost
in the redistributed Langevin ward. She was re-elected in 1983
.
Reese narrowly lost to right-wing candidate Louise Dacquay
in 1986
, but was returned over Dacquay in 1989
as a candidate of the newly formed centre-left Winnipeg into the '90s
coalition. In 1991, Reese led an effort to have Petro Canada remove gasoline-contaminated soil from a site in her ward. She also criticized a report by retired judge Ted Hughes
into the mismanaged prosecution of a Winnipeg attorney for what turned out to be an unfounded accusation of sexual assault. Reese argued that Hughes singled out the police for criticism, and did not adequately address problems in the provincial justice department.
Reese was re-elected for the redistributed St. Boniface ward in 1992
as a candidate of the renamed Winnipeg in the '90s group. She was appointed as deputy speaker of Winnipeg City Council in November 1993, and later served as acting chair of the city's riverbank management committee.
She opposed unrestricted Sunday shopping
for Winnipeg, and strongly criticized a plan to cut a traditional Christmas
bonus for welfare recipients in late 1993. She also opposed councillor Al Golden
's plan to create an eight-lane bridge linking St. Boniface and St. Vital with downtown Winnipeg, arguing that it would create traffic problems for her ward. Reese made several attempts to have an abandoned Canada Packers plant in her ward demolished, without success. In 1995, she called for suburban zoning to be expanded to allow for rooming houses in single-family areas.
Reese supported various plans to expand recreational space at Whittier Park in her ward. She opposed Al Golden's 1993 proposal to remove a baseball diamond from an historical site on the park grounds, arguing that the field was needed for children's recreation. She was later skeptical of a proposal to turn Louis Riel
's birthplace near the park into an historical landmark, on the grounds that it could prevent the construction of a soccer field in the area. In late 1994, she supported a plan to have Whittier Park designated as the site for Sam Katz
's Winnipeg Goldeyes
baseball team. She was opposed in this initiative by Dan Vandal
of the Old St. Boniface Residents Association, who argued that the plan would create several traffic problems for the area.
Reese opposed spending public money on a new arena for the Winnipeg Jets hockey
team during most of her time on council. She shifted to a pro-arena position for an important May 1995 vote, but later returned to the opposition camp when various complications emerged. The Jets eventually left the city when an agreement for the arena could not be reached. Jim Silver later published a book entitled Thin Ice: Money, Politics and the Demise of an NHL Franchise, in which he argued that Reese and other councillors only supported the arena plan due to "unbearable arm-twisting" from its supporters.
She opposed the extension of employee benefits to the same-sex partners of civic employees in 1994, arguing that the city was not under a legal obligation to extend the benefits as same-sex partnerships were not "spousal relationships".
Reese was nominated as the Liberal Party candidate for Niakwa in May 1994, in anticipation of the 1995 provincial election
. She remained a member of city council during the campaign. Although considered a strong candidate, she was hurt by her party's weak provincial campaign and finished second against Progressive Conservative
incumbent Jack Reimer
.
Reese left Winnipeg in the '90s (WIN) in 1994, citing policy differences. She was defeated by WIN-endorsed candidate Dan Vandal in the 1995 municipal election
. Reese's handling of the arena issue was cited as a factor in her defeat. She initially said that she planned to run again in 1998
, but ultimately did not do so. She has not returned to public life since this time.
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
, Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
, Canada
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...
. She served on the Winnipeg City Council
Winnipeg City Council
The Winnipeg City Council is the governing body of the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.Members represent wards throughout the city, and are known as councillors.-2006-2010:Council elected in the 2006 election:-2010-2014:...
for fifteen years, and ran for the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba
Legislative Assembly of Manitoba
The Legislative Assembly of Manitoba and the lieutenant governor form the Legislature of Manitoba, the legislature of the Canadian province of Manitoba. Fifty-seven members are elected to this assembly in provincial general elections, all in single-member constituencies with first-past-the-post...
on two occasions as a candidate of the Liberal Party
Manitoba Liberal Party
The Manitoba Liberal Party is a political party in Manitoba, Canada. Its roots can be traced to the late nineteenth-century, following the province's creation in 1870.-Origins and early development :...
.
Reese was first elected to the Winnipeg City Council in the 1974 municipal election
Winnipeg municipal election, 1974
The 1974 Winnipeg municipal election was held on October 23, 1974 to elect a mayor, councillors and school trustees in the city of Winnipeg.Stephen Juba was re-elected in the mayoral contest.-Results:...
, defeating incumbent councillor Michael Dennehy in the St. Boniface ward of Winakwa. She was endorsed by a centre-left group called the Civic Reform Coalition, while Dennehy was part of the governing centre-right Independent Citizens' Election Committee. Reese later ran in the 1977 provincial election
Manitoba general election, 1977
The Manitoba general election of October 11, 1977 was held to elect Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Manitoba, Canada. It was won by the Progressive Conservative Party, which took 33 seats out of 57...
, and finished third against Progressive Conservative
Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba
The Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba is the only right wing political party in Manitoba, Canada. It is also the official opposition party in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.-Origins and early years:...
Abe Kovnats
Abe Kovnats
Abe Kovnats was a politician in Manitoba, Canada. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 1977 to 1988, serving as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party....
in Radisson. She was not a candidate in the 1977 municipal election, but returned to council in 1980 with a victory over incumbent councillor George Provost
George Provost
George R. Provost was a businessman and city councillor in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He served on council from 1977 to 1980, and later sought election to the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.-Councillor:...
in the redistributed Langevin ward. She was re-elected in 1983
Winnipeg municipal election, 1983
The 1983 Winnipeg municipal election was held on October 26, 1983 to elect a mayor, councillors and school trustees in the city of Winnipeg. There were also two referendum questions, on bilingualism and nuclear disarmament....
.
Reese narrowly lost to right-wing candidate Louise Dacquay
Louise Dacquay
Louise Dacquay is a politician in Manitoba, Canada. She was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba frm 1990 to 2003, and served as speaker of the assembly from 1995 to 1999....
in 1986
Winnipeg municipal election, 1986
The 1986 Winnipeg municipal election was held on October 22, 1986 to elect a mayor, councillors and school trustees in the city of Winnipeg.Bill Norrie was re-elected to a fourth term as mayor, defeating former Member of the Legislative Assembly Russell Doern and ten other...
, but was returned over Dacquay in 1989
Winnipeg municipal election, 1989
The 1989 Winnipeg municipal election was held on October 25, 1989 to elect a mayor, councillors and school trustees in the city of Winnipeg.Bill Norrie was re-elected to a fifth term as mayor without serious opposition.-Councillors:...
as a candidate of the newly formed centre-left Winnipeg into the '90s
Winnipeg into the '90s
Winnipeg into the '90s was an alliance of progressive and left-leaning municipal politicians in the Canadian city of Winnipeg, Manitoba. It endorsed several candidates in the city's municipal elections of 1989, 1992 and 1995, including future mayor Glen Murray and future provincial Premier Greg...
coalition. In 1991, Reese led an effort to have Petro Canada remove gasoline-contaminated soil from a site in her ward. She also criticized a report by retired judge Ted Hughes
Ted Hughes (judge)
Edward N. "Ted" Hughes is a retired Canadian judge. He is best known for overseeing prominent investigations in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia, one of which led to the resignation of Premier Bill Vander Zalm....
into the mismanaged prosecution of a Winnipeg attorney for what turned out to be an unfounded accusation of sexual assault. Reese argued that Hughes singled out the police for criticism, and did not adequately address problems in the provincial justice department.
Reese was re-elected for the redistributed St. Boniface ward in 1992
Winnipeg municipal election, 1992
The 1992 Winnipeg municipal election was held on October 28, 1992 to elect a mayor, councillors and school trustees in the city of Winnipeg.Susan Thompson defeated Greg Selinger in the mayoral contest.-Councillors:...
as a candidate of the renamed Winnipeg in the '90s group. She was appointed as deputy speaker of Winnipeg City Council in November 1993, and later served as acting chair of the city's riverbank management committee.
She opposed unrestricted Sunday shopping
Sunday shopping
Sunday shopping refers to the ability of retailers to operate stores on Sunday, a day that Christian tradition typically recognizes as the Sabbath, a "day of rest". Rules governing shopping hours, such as Sunday shopping, vary around the world but some European nations continue to ban Sunday shopping...
for Winnipeg, and strongly criticized a plan to cut a traditional Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
bonus for welfare recipients in late 1993. She also opposed councillor Al Golden
Al Golden (politician)
Allan Golden is a politician and businessman in Winnipeg, Manitoba.Golden is involved in many business operations, including the St. Vital Hotel and the Transcona Country Club. He entered politics after being encouraged by former Mayor of Winnipeg Stephen Juba, to run in the 1980 mayoral election...
's plan to create an eight-lane bridge linking St. Boniface and St. Vital with downtown Winnipeg, arguing that it would create traffic problems for her ward. Reese made several attempts to have an abandoned Canada Packers plant in her ward demolished, without success. In 1995, she called for suburban zoning to be expanded to allow for rooming houses in single-family areas.
Reese supported various plans to expand recreational space at Whittier Park in her ward. She opposed Al Golden's 1993 proposal to remove a baseball diamond from an historical site on the park grounds, arguing that the field was needed for children's recreation. She was later skeptical of a proposal to turn Louis Riel
Louis Riel
Louis David Riel was a Canadian politician, a founder of the province of Manitoba, and a political and spiritual leader of the Métis people of the Canadian prairies. He led two resistance movements against the Canadian government and its first post-Confederation Prime Minister, Sir John A....
's birthplace near the park into an historical landmark, on the grounds that it could prevent the construction of a soccer field in the area. In late 1994, she supported a plan to have Whittier Park designated as the site for Sam Katz
Sam Katz
Samuel Michael Katz, OM is the 42nd mayor of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He is also a businessperson and a member of the Order of Manitoba.- Life before mayorship :...
's Winnipeg Goldeyes
Winnipeg Goldeyes
The Winnipeg Goldeyes are a professional baseball team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in Canada. The Goldeyes play in the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. From 1994 to 2010, the team was a member of the Northern League.The...
baseball team. She was opposed in this initiative by Dan Vandal
Dan Vandal
Daniel 'Dan' Vandal is a politician in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He has represented St. Boniface on the Winnipeg City Council for all but two years since 1995, and ran unsuccessfully for Mayor of Winnipeg in 2004...
of the Old St. Boniface Residents Association, who argued that the plan would create several traffic problems for the area.
Reese opposed spending public money on a new arena for the Winnipeg Jets hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
team during most of her time on council. She shifted to a pro-arena position for an important May 1995 vote, but later returned to the opposition camp when various complications emerged. The Jets eventually left the city when an agreement for the arena could not be reached. Jim Silver later published a book entitled Thin Ice: Money, Politics and the Demise of an NHL Franchise, in which he argued that Reese and other councillors only supported the arena plan due to "unbearable arm-twisting" from its supporters.
She opposed the extension of employee benefits to the same-sex partners of civic employees in 1994, arguing that the city was not under a legal obligation to extend the benefits as same-sex partnerships were not "spousal relationships".
Reese was nominated as the Liberal Party candidate for Niakwa in May 1994, in anticipation of the 1995 provincial election
Manitoba general election, 1995
The Manitoba general election of April 25,1995 was held to elect Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Manitoba, Canada. It was won by the Progressive Conservative Party, which won 31 seats out of 57...
. She remained a member of city council during the campaign. Although considered a strong candidate, she was hurt by her party's weak provincial campaign and finished second against Progressive Conservative
Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba
The Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba is the only right wing political party in Manitoba, Canada. It is also the official opposition party in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.-Origins and early years:...
incumbent Jack Reimer
Jack Reimer
Jack Reimer is a Progressive Conservative politician in Manitoba, Canada. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 1990 to 2007, and served in the government of Gary Filmon....
.
Reese left Winnipeg in the '90s (WIN) in 1994, citing policy differences. She was defeated by WIN-endorsed candidate Dan Vandal in the 1995 municipal election
Winnipeg municipal election, 1995
The 1995 Winnipeg municipal election was held on October 25, 1995 to elect a mayor, councillors and school trustees in the city of Winnipeg.Susan Thompson defeated Peter Kaufmann and Terry Duguid in the mayoral contest.-Councillors:...
. Reese's handling of the arena issue was cited as a factor in her defeat. She initially said that she planned to run again in 1998
Winnipeg municipal election, 1998
The 1998 Winnipeg municipal election was held on October 28, 1998 to elect a mayor, councillors and school trustees in the city of Winnipeg.Centre-left candidate Glen Murray defeated populist right-winger Peter Kaufmann in the mayoral contest.-Councillors:...
, but ultimately did not do so. She has not returned to public life since this time.