Elaine McCoy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elaine McCoy
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McCoy in 2010
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| Facilitator of the Independent Senators Group |
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| In office September 27, 2016 – September 25, 2017 |
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| Deputy | None |
| Preceded by | Position created |
| Succeeded by | Yuen Pau Woo |
| Senator for Alberta | |
| In office March 24, 2005 – December 29, 2020 |
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| Nominated by | Paul Martin |
| Appointed by | Adrienne Clarkson |
| MLA for Calgary-West | |
| In office 1986–1993 |
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| Preceded by | Peter Lougheed |
| Succeeded by | Danny Dalla-Longa |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 7, 1946 Brandon, Manitoba, Canada |
| Died | December 29, 2020 (aged 74) Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Political party | Canadian Senators Group (2019–2020) |
| Other political affiliations |
Independent Senators Group (2016–2019) Independent Progressive Conservative (2013–2016) Progressive Conservative (2005–2013) Alberta PC (until 1993) |
| Alma mater | University of Alberta |
Elaine Jean McCoy (March 7, 1946 – December 29, 2020) was a Canadian politician from Alberta. She was a member of the Senate of Canada. The Senate is a part of Canada's Parliament.
In 2005, McCoy was chosen to be a Senator. She first joined the Progressive Conservative Party. Later, in 2016, she became part of the Independent Senators Group (ISG). She even helped lead this group for a year. In 2019, she joined the Canadian Senators Group.
Before becoming a Senator, McCoy was a member of the provincial parliament (MLA) for Calgary-West. This was from 1986 to 1993. During that time, she held important jobs in the provincial government. She was a minister for consumer affairs, women's issues, and labour.
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Early Life and Education
Elaine Jean McCoy was born in Brandon, Manitoba. Her parents were John Frederick and Jean Stewart McCoy.
She went to the University of Alberta. There, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1968. The next year, in 1969, she earned a law degree (LLB).
Before she started her political career, McCoy worked as a lawyer. She was a senior legal advisor for an energy board in Alberta. She also worked as a lawyer for a power company.
Alberta Politics
From 1986 to 1993, Elaine McCoy was an MLA for Calgary-West. An MLA is a Member of the Legislative Assembly. This means she was a representative in Alberta's provincial parliament. She took over this role from Peter Lougheed, a former Premier.
McCoy was surprised when she was immediately chosen for the provincial cabinet. This is a group of top government ministers. Premier Don Getty made her the Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs. She also became the Minister responsible for Women's Issues.
As a minister, McCoy helped create the Insurance Council of Alberta. She also helped change the Alberta Securities Commission. This group oversees financial markets. She introduced new rules to protect people who buy goods and services. She also worked on helping immigrant professionals use their skills in Canada.
In 1989, McCoy became Alberta's Minister of Labour. She was also responsible for Human Rights. In this role, she helped set up an inquiry into a group called Aryan Nations. This inquiry looked into and worked to stop hateful activities in the province. McCoy also brought attention to violence against women. She led the creation of the Lake Louise Declaration. This was Alberta's first plan to fight violence against women. It was also the first plan of its kind across all of Canada.
Running for Leader
When Premier Don Getty retired in 1992, McCoy decided to run for leader of her party. She was one of nine people who wanted the job. She placed 8th and did not win. Ralph Klein became the new leader. He did not ask her to be in his cabinet. She then decided not to run for re-election in 1993.
Senate of Canada
Elaine McCoy was chosen to be a Senator on March 24, 2005. The Governor General Adrienne Clarkson appointed her. This was based on the suggestion of Prime Minister Paul Martin. She represented Alberta in the Senate.
At first, she was part of the Progressive Conservative group in the Senate. She was the last Senator to be a Progressive Conservative after 2011. In 2013, she changed her title to Independent PC. Then, in 2016, she became non-affiliated. This happened after the government decided the Senate should be less about political parties.
In September 2016, she and 14 other non-affiliated Senators formed the Independent Senators Group (ISG). This group worked to make sure independent Senators had a fair say. They wanted to be treated equally on committees and get funding like other party groups. McCoy was chosen to lead this new group for a year. In December 2016, the Senate agreed to recognize the ISG. They also agreed to give them funding. Independent Senators also started getting fair numbers of spots on Senate committees.
On November 4, 2019, she joined the Canadian Senators Group.
After becoming a Senator, McCoy spoke up for the role of individual Senators. She also pushed for changes to the Senate. She believed in a Canada where everyone feels included. She also spoke about Alberta's place in Canada. McCoy was one of the first Senators to share her experiences online. She used blogs and social media to talk about politics. A magazine called Maclean's wrote about her. They called her a "symbol of defiance." This was because she was one of the last Progressive Conservative Senators. She described herself as someone who cared about social progress and careful spending.
Personal Life
Elaine McCoy was married to Miles Patterson, who was also a lawyer. She passed away on December 29, 2020, in Ottawa.
See also
In Spanish: Elaine McCoy para niños
