Elayne Brenzinger

Elayne Brenzinger (born 1951, in Scotland) was a Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia, serving as a member of the British Columbia Liberal Party from 2001-2005. She was a key figure in the formation of the Democratic Reform British Columbia Party and was its first MLA.

Elayne Brenzinger
Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly
for Surrey-Whalley
In office
May 16, 2001 – May 17, 2005
Preceded byJoan Smallwood
Succeeded byBruce Ralston
Personal details
Born1951 (age 71–72)
Scotland
Political partyLiberal → Democratic Reform
Spouse
Leo
​
(m. 1981)​
Children3

Career

She was first elected to the Legislative Assembly as a member of the British Columbia Liberal Party in the 2001 provincial election for the riding of Surrey-Whalley. Brenzinger defeated cabinet minister and long time NDP MLA, Joan Smallwood, winning 45.73 percent of the vote.[1] Aside from Brenzinger's term in office, Surrey-Whalley has been a predominantly NDP riding.[2]

She resigned from the Liberal caucus to sit as an independent in March 2004 because of a dispute with the party leadership, including over concerns with the sale of BC Rail to CN.[3][4] She claimed then-premier and party leader Gordon Campbell humiliated her at a caucus meeting in 2003, cursing and yelling at her.[5]

In March 2004, following her departure from the party, she made public allegations of improper conduct against liberal MLA Richard Stewart, claiming he had groped her at a night club in Victoria.[6][7] Stewart was suspended from office,[8] though Brenzinger later retracted the allegations and issued a formal apology.[9][10][11] Stewart retracted his defamation lawsuit after the apology.[12]

She was a key force in the creation of the Democratic Reform BC party, which was officially founded on January 15, 2005, and became its first MLA four days later.[11]

On May 17, 2005, Brenzinger was defeated by New Democratic candidate Bruce Ralston in her Surrey-Whalley riding.

Election results
2005 British Columbia general election: Surrey-Whalley
Party Candidate Votes%
New DemocraticBruce Ralston8,90355.00
LiberalBarbara Steele4,94930.57
GreenRoy Whyte1,2387.65
Democratic ReformElayne Brenzinger6073.75
MarijuanaMelady Belinda Earl3021.87
IndependentJoe Pal1390.86
PlatinumNeil Gregory Magnuson500.31
Total 16,188 100.00
B.C. General Election 2001: Surrey-Whalley
Party Candidate Votes  % ± Expenditures
LiberalElayne Brenzinger6,69345.73%$53,614
  NDP Joan Smallwood 4,536 30.99% $42,735
GreenTerry McComas1,65211.28%–$100
UnityJohn A. Conway8385.73%$2,880
MarijuanaKhalid Damien Arnaout5443.72%$394
ReformMike Runté3742.55%$7,957
Total valid votes 14,637 100.00%
Total rejected ballots 85 0.58%
Turnout 14,722 66.79%

References
  1. "RIDING PROFILE: Surrey-Whalley - Surrey Now-Leader". Surrey Now Leader. 2020-10-16. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
  2. Zytaruk, Tom (2017-05-10). "ELECTION 2017: Surrey — a city divided - Peace Arch News". Peace Arch News. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
  3. Hansard, October 6, 2004, quoted in the BC Legislature Raids blog
  4. Tenove, Chris (2004-03-11). "The Lonely Life of the Independent MLA". The Tyee. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
  5. Smyth, Mike; Bailey, Ian (2004-03-21). "MLA calls ugly split with Liberals 'smear campaign'". Edmonton Journal. pp. A5. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
  6. Hayes, Kelly (2004-03-30). "Liberal Mudslinging Continues - BC News". www.castanet.net. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
  7. "B.C.'s political fringe paints itself as middle-of-road choice". Canadian Press NewsWire. 2004-10-07 – via ProQuest.
  8. Rockel, Nick (2004-04-01). "It's question period for the B.C. Liberals". The Georgia Straight. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
  9. Foulds, Christopher (2004-05-16). "This MLA's apology just isn't enough". Kamloops This Week. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
  10. Meissner, Dirk (2004-05-13). "MLA retracts accusations of lewd conduct". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
  11. Mickleburgh, Rod (2005-05-27). "No evil doers here, only a farcical MLA". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
  12. Willcocks, Paul (2004-05-13). "I was wrong, says Brenzinger, he never touched me". Daily Townsman. p. 3. Retrieved 2022-08-24.


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