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Alan Milliken Heisey Sr.

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Alan Milliken Heisey Sr.
Alan Heisey Sr. 1962
Alderman Ward 8 City of North York
In office
January 1, 1976 – December 31, 1980
Preceded byRobert O'Dell Roche[1]
Succeeded byAndy Borins
Personal details
Born(1928-05-20)May 20, 1928
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
DiedNovember 2, 2014(2014-11-02) (aged 86)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Political partyConservative
Other political
affiliations
Progressive Conservative (until 2003)
OccupationCanadian publisher, author, activist and politician
Known forCanadian anti-nationalist

Alan Milliken Heisey Sr. (May 20, 1928 – 2 November 2014)[2][3] was a Canadian publisher,[4][5] author, activist, political columnist[6] and politician from Toronto who wrote the book The Great Canadian Stampede - The Rush to Economic Nationalism - Right or Wrong[7][8][9][10][11] in 1973 which presaged free trade between Canada and the United States and opposed Canadian economic nationalism.

Background

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He was born in Toronto and attended Oakwood Collegiate Institute and St. Andrew's College, Aurora, Class of 1946.[12] He graduated from University of Toronto in Engineering in 1951.[13] and from Harvard University with an MBA in 1953. He was married to Barbara Muriel Cornes (b. 1930) in 1953.[14] His father was Karl Brooks Heisey a mining engineer. He had 3 sons Alan Heisey II, Peter and Robin.[15] Heisey earned a commission in the Toronto Scottish Regiment.[16]

Student activism

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While attending the University of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering he was a member of the Student Executive of the University of Toronto Engineering Students' Society.[17][18] At the height of the Cold War in 1951 he led a group of 60 anti-communist engineering students in assuming control of a Communist affiliated group called the Peace Council of the University of Toronto for the purpose of destroying the organisation.[19][20]

Anti-nationalism

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He was an early advocate of free trade between Canada and the United States in the 1960s and 1970s and was an opponent of Canadian nationalism[21][22][23][24][25] and Canadian cultural protectionism.[26] He was described as Canada's leading anti-nationalist in 1976.[27] Free trade between Canada and the United States occurred with the passage of the Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement in 1988, eventually superseded by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1994.

Political activities

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He ran for the Parliament of Canada in the 1968 federal election as the Progressive Conservative candidate for York—Scarborough[28][29][30] and lost to Liberal Robert Stanbury. Heisey ran for the Progressive Conservative nomination in the 1974 federal election for the York-Scarborough riding and lost to Ron Collister, a CBC reporter (Collister eventually lost to Stanbury the incumbent MP).[31]

He was an active member in the Progressive Conservative Party[32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39] and that party's successor, the Conservative Party of Canada.[40] During the 1980s Heisey was Chairman of PC Metro, an umbrella organization of 31 Federal Progressive Conservative Party riding associations in and around what was then Metropolitan Toronto[41][42][43] He was outspoken in his criticism of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's treatment of Nigel S. Wright in the Canadian Senate expenses scandal at the 2013 Conservative Party National Convention in Calgary.[44][45]

He was first elected alderman for Ward 8 in the former Borough of North York, now Ward 15 Don Valley West, in the 1976 election defeating Beverley Salmon.[46] Heisey ran again as alderman for Ward 8 in the 1978 election and was acclaimed.[47][48][49] He was chairman of the Works Committee[50] and an active member of North York Council[51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64] As alderman he championed the equitable distribution of group homes throughout the city,[65] naming rather than numbering city electoral districts,[66][67] market value assessment for property taxes[68][69] and criticised the conduct and decorum of fellow council members.[70]

In November 1979 Heisey supported the introduction of a new Toronto Transit Commission Bus Route 115, servicing the Silver Hills area in North York, that travelled through a wealthy neighbourhood in face of strong opposition.[63][71][72] He ran for reelection in the 1980 election and lost to Andy Borins[73] who campaigned against the new bus service.[74][75]

Heisey served on the Board of Governors of Seneca College from 1978 to 1980.[76]

Civic activism

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Alan Heisey 2014

He was an activist in local politics in the City of Toronto and the Township of Georgian Bay.[77]

He ran as a fringe candidate for mayor of Toronto at the age of 68 in the 1997 municipal election.[78][79][80][81][82]

For the last 20 years of his life he advocated for representation by population and electoral equality for urban voters in Canada concerned about city dwellers electoral under-representation at the provincial and federal levels of government and wrote extensively on the topic.[83]

Heisey Islands, Georgian Bay

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As a result of Heisey's contributions as a writer and as a long time resident in the Township of Georgian Bay the Ontario Minister of Natural Resources officially named a group of islands in the Township of Georgian Bay located to the northwest of Beausoleil Island near Honey Harbour, on the Georgian Bay after him on July 17, 2017, pursuant to Section 4 of the Ontario Geographic Names Board Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.16.[84]

Heisey Islands - OGNB decision

References

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  1. ^ "F0396 - Robert Roche fonds".
  2. ^ "Obituary of Alan Milliken Heisey U.E., P.Eng. M.B.A.", Toronto Star, November 8, 2014
  3. ^ Alan Heisey: Obituary
  4. ^ "Former DCN Publisher "The Hize" loved construction", Daily Commercial News, November 18, 2014 http://dailycommercialnews.com/Home/News/2014/11/Former-DCN-publisher-The-Hize-loved-construction-1003856W/
  5. ^ "About Us". Archived from the original on 2016-01-31. Retrieved 2016-01-24.
  6. ^ "Tory invades Grit stronghold" by Alan Heisey, The Mirror, February 3, 1965, p.1A
  7. ^ The Great Canadian Stampede - The Rush to Economic Nationalism - Right or Wrong, Alan Heisey, Griffin Press Limited, Toronto 1973 ISBN 0 88760 062 X
  8. ^ "Politics in Print", Douglas Fisher, Toronto Sun, November 26, 1973, p.9
  9. ^ "A fresh look at economic dependence" (review of The Great Canadian Stampede, by Alan Heisey) J.D.M., The Hamilton Spectator, May 10, 1975, p. 77
  10. ^ "Walter Gordon and the Rise of Canadian Nationalism", Steven Azzi, McGill-Queen's Press, MQUP, 1999 page 299
  11. ^ "Canadas of the Mind: The Making and Unmaking of Canadian Nationalisms" Hilmer and Chapnick, McGill Queens Press, MQUP, 2007 page 87
  12. ^ The Andrean Spring 2015 issue page 54 http://issuu.com/standrewscollege/docs/the_andrean-spring_2015
  13. ^ "Cold Iron and Lady Godiva: engineering education at Toronto 1920-1972" University of Toronto Press, 1973, authors Harris and Montagne edited Alan Heisey et al, Toronto ISBN 0802020623
  14. ^ St Andrew's College Review, Christmas 1953. SAC. 1953.
  15. ^ He is a descendant of Norman Milliken an American Loyalist settler after whom Milliken, Ontario may be named. His family has a history of involvement in local government in Southern Ontario, Ancestor Benjamin Milliken II a United Empire Loyalist a Major in the York Militia and a Justice of the Peace put down 1837 Upper Canada Rebellion and relations William Milliken, Councillor and Deputy Reeve, Township of Markham, York County Council 1871-1876, Orville Heisey, Reeve, Village of Markham, York County Council 1938-1943. List of mayors of Markham, Ontario "Markham, 1793-1900", Markham Historical Society, 1979 ISBN 0969090005 pp 74-5 http://www.ourroots.ca/page.aspx?id=4109137&qryID=c58850cd-db67-4b77-97b1-0cd50a6b3c84[permanent dead link]. "Toronto and County of York, Biographical Notices", 1885, p. 299 "Our Roots / Nos Racines". Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2015-03-01.
  16. ^ "Alan Heisey Obituary (2014) - Toronto, ON - Toronto Star". Legacy.com.
  17. ^ Skule Yearbook 1951, University of Toronto Engineering Students' Society https://archive.org/stream/skuleyearbook1951toro/skuleyearbook1951toro_djvu.txt
  18. ^ "Trade Skule? Engineer's Potential" by Dave Coates and Al Heisey, The Varsity, January 25, 1951, p.2
  19. ^ "Fighting Fire with Fire", Time (Canadian edition), April 2, 1951, p.28
  20. ^ "Warrior Nation: Rebranding Canada in an Age of Anxiety", Ian McKay, Jamie Swift, 2013, ISBN 9781926662770
  21. ^ "Closer Ties to U.S. Far in Future" by Alan Heisey, New York Times, January 28, 1972
  22. ^ "Toronto PC group supports news chains at media inquiry" Toronto Star, May 1, 1970, p.59
  23. ^ "Foreign Ownership Issue likened to Sexual Fantasy", Winnipeg Free Press, February 3, 1975, p.51
  24. ^ "Yesterday's view of our tomorrow," Review of "Canada's First Century", by Donald Creighton, Executive 12 (May 1970), 52, Alan Heisey
  25. ^ "A Brief History of the Writing (and Re-Writing)of Canadian National History", Thesis by Jennifer Hamel, The College of Graduate Studies and Research (Department of History, University of Saskatchewan), University of Saskatchewan, 24 July 2009 p. 108
  26. ^ "Canadian Publishers Sitting on their Hands demanding protection", Toronto Star, June 23, 1986, B.10, Alan Heisey
  27. ^ "What this country needs is a new holy trinity", Ottawa Citizen, May 12, 1976, Betty Lee
  28. ^ "Whatever happened to Tory Toronto?" by Wesslely Hicks, Toronto Life, August 1969, p.36
  29. ^ "Were the Tories left at the post?" by Alan Heisey, Globe and Mail, June 19, 1969, p.7
  30. ^ "Politicians at post for federal stakes" The Enterprise, May 15, 1968 p.1,Vol. 41, No. 27
  31. ^ "4 York Tories try for chance to beat Stanbury", Toronto Star, March 17, 1974, Dan Turner
  32. ^ "Tories must organize at grassroots to be Y-S Liberals" by Al Heisey, The North York Mirror, April 8, 1970 p.7
  33. ^ "Tories appeared more interested in power than policy" by Anthony Westell, Toronto Star, March 22, 1974
  34. ^ "Rank and file deserve a voice in Tory policy" by Alan Heisey, Toronto Star, March 10, 1986 p. A13
  35. ^ "City Lib", Stephen Clarkson, Hakkert, 1972 p.180
  36. ^ "Three men have put themselves forward thus far for the presidency of Metro Conservatives Constituency Associations: Alan Heisey, a former federal candidate is one of them", Toronto Star, 22 April 1976: B1, Michael Hanlon
  37. ^ "Tories Shy in Toronto", Montreal Gazette, June 27, 1979, Duart Faquharson
  38. ^ "New delegate votes sought by Wilson in up to 10 ridings", Montreal Gazette, April 10, 1983, p.7
  39. ^ "Why Communists are gaining on our Tories", Heisey, Alan; Toronto Star; (Apr 5, 1987), p. B.3
  40. ^ "The Decline of Parties-Political Machine usurps power of the people", Canwest News Service, January 15, 2009, Richard Foot
  41. ^ "Tories in Metro vote to get more active in municipal politics" by Adam Corelli, Globe and Mail February 18, 1985 p 14:"Renegade PCs cause strife over issue of municipal activism" by Ross Howard Globe and Mail February 15, 1985 p. M4
  42. ^ "Tory in-fighting continues in Spadina" by Ross Howard, Toronto Star, March 22, 1984, A19
  43. ^ "Metro PC's won't talk until leadership vote" Toronto Star, September 19, 1981, p.A10
  44. ^ "Conservative Party delegates uneasy about Steven Harper's Treatment of Nigel Wright during Senate Crisis", National Post, November 1, 2013, Jen Gerson
  45. ^ "Jaded Tories thinking wistfully about a future without Harper", National Post, November 3, 2013, John Ivison
  46. ^ "TORONTO MUNICIPAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN LITERATURE" (PDF). Retrieved 2023-02-03.
  47. ^ Toronto Municipal Election Campaign Literature (including the former Metropolitan Toronto Municipalities)", City of Toronto Public Library
  48. ^ "Choices for a Better City", Toronto Star, 4 December 1976, B2,
  49. ^ "North York Council no Longer Brawling", Toronto Star, March 23, 1977, D1, Michael Best
  50. ^ "Rookie aldermen picked to lead 5 North York Committees" Toronto Star, December 21, 1976
  51. ^ "Health Board Member has a Babysitter's Fee Paid", Toronto Star, May 10, 1977, B2, Murdoch Davis
  52. ^ "Confidential Note Leak Worries North York", Toronto Star, November 9, 1977, B2, Trish Irvin
  53. ^ "North York Townhouse Owners Denied Extra Garbage Pick-up", Toronto Star, February 3, 1978, A4, Harold Hilliard
  54. ^ "Return to 1-Man Cruisers Urged', Toronto Star, February 7, 1978, A4
  55. ^ "New Definition of Block Busting", Toronto Star, April 16, 1978, A8
  56. ^ "Let's Have a Look at Metro Economy", Toronto Star, July 20, 1978, A8
  57. ^ "North York Lacks Industrial Tax Base Committee Decides", Toronto Star, July 31, 1979, A20, Harold Hillard
  58. ^ "Needed Cure for Traffic Jams", Toronto Star, August 25, 1979, B2
  59. ^ "North York Makes a Last Try to Keep CBC HQ in Don Mills", Toronto Star, October 3, 1979, A14, Harold Hillard
  60. ^ "School-Council Merger Urged to Cut Costs", Toronto Star, October 25, 1979, A20, Harold Hillard
  61. ^ "Leslie, Lawrence Extensions Urged to Solve Traffic Jams", Toronto Star, August 22, 1979, A24
  62. ^ "Lastman Denies Using Tax Scare Prediction", Toronto Star, November 8, 1979, A18, Warren Potter
  63. ^ a b "Obstacles Ahead for York Mills Bus", Toronto Star, November 30, 1979, A16, Warren Potter
  64. ^ "Two North York Aldermen Pressing Province for Direct Metro Election", Toronto Star, December 3, 1979, A14, Warren Potter
  65. ^ "Turning Away People in Need", Toronto Star, January 10, 1979, A8
  66. ^ "Let's Name Wards, Not Number Them", Toronto Star, April 27, 1977, D1, Michael Best
  67. ^ "Ward Names Could Put Romance into Civic Politics - - Alderman", Toronto Star, March 9, 1977, B2, Warren Potter
  68. ^ "Lastman Bitter as Assessment Scheme Kayoed", Toronto Star, April 18, 1979, A4, Harold Hillard
  69. ^ "Wells Should Act on Property Tax Reform", Toronto Star, September 11, 1978, A8
  70. ^ "North York Windbags Assailed", Toronto Star, November 5, 1979, A15, Warren Potter
  71. ^ "Bus for Posh Area Okayed in Rowdy Meeting", Toronto Star, November 2, 1979, A16, Harold Hillard
  72. ^ "Bus Along Posh Street Gets Go-Ahead for '81", Toronto Star, July 30, 1980, A24, Vivienne Jones
  73. ^ "Lastman's Leading in Ho-Hum Race", Toronto Star, November 3, 1980, A17
  74. ^ Borins was subsequently removed from office for conflict of interest by judge's order "Libel lawsuit against controller sparked alderman's downfall", Globe and Mail, 18 April 1985, M1
  75. ^ Heisey's son Alan Heisey as vice chair to the TTC voted to restore and improve service to Bus Route 115 in 2015 https://www.ttc.ca/About_the_TTC/Commission_reports_and_information/Commission_meetings/2015/May_27/Reports/More_Off_Peak_Service_Expansion_of_All_Day_Every_Day_Network.pdf
  76. ^ Seneca College Alumni Magazine, 40 Anniversary Edition, 2005 pg. 62-3
  77. ^ "Closed meetings on Georgian Bay come under attack" Mark Bourrie, Toronto Star, October 13, 1989, pg. A12
  78. ^ "Going after mayor's job, Heisey style On the campaign trail with the man who would be 'Hize Honour'", Toronto Star, October 19, 1997, A6; Catherine Dunphy
  79. ^ "Odd Group seeks megacity mayoralty job", The Hamilton Spectator, September 3, 1997, F.10
  80. ^ "Lastman to Launch MegaCity Mayor Bid" Toronto Star, August 16, 1997, Gail Swainson p. A.20
  81. ^ "Mayor Hopeful says he will be "Giant Slayer", Toronto Star, August 25, 1997, Stan Josey, A.7
  82. ^ "Issues could get lost in mayoralty fight" by David Lewis Stein, Toronto Star, June 25, 1997
  83. ^ "Boundary Changes Criticized", Toronto Star, October 7, 1999, 1, Paul Moloney; "Whatever happened to rep by pop?", Globe and Mail, May 8, 2000, Alan Heisey; "Toronto not Represented", Toronto Star, August 4, 2001, H07, Alan Heisey; "Our Cities Deserve Better representation", Toronto Star, January 1, 2002, Alan Heisey; "Sticking it to Cities", Now Magazine, June 24, 2004, Alan Heisey; "Who will speak for electoral reform?", The Ensign, October 10, 2007, Alan Heisey
  84. ^ "Place names - Heisey Islands".