Dan Heap
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The Reverend Dan Heap (born September 24 1925) was a Canadian politician with the New Democratic Party. He represented the riding of Spadina, which, in 1988, was renamed Trinity—Spadina, from 1981 until 1993.
From a wealthy background, Heap attended the elite Upper Canada College, but soon rejected turned to socialism. He became an Anglican minister, and was renowned for his help in the community, which went so far as to sell his home to help the poor.
Heap entered politics to continue to fight poverty and homelessness, and joined with the leftist NDP. He was elected to Toronto city council. When the Liberal Member of Parliament for Spadina, Peter Stollery, was appointed to the Senate in 1981, Heap decided to run in the subsequent by-election. Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau has recommended Stollery for appointment to the Senate in order open the "safe Liberal riding" for his advisor Jim Coutts. Heap defeated Coutts in the by-election, however, and was re-elected in the 1984 and 1988 elections. He retired prior to the 1993 election.
Heap was an outspoken MP, and a prominent spokesperson for social justice issues both in Canada and abroad becoming. He was very concerned with issues such as refugees, the situation in East Timor, and South Africa. Heap is also noted for hiring a young Olivia Chow as his assistant.
Despite retiring from politics, Heap is still involved, strongly backing the anti-war movement, and supporting NDP candidates in the region.
| Preceded by: Peter Stollery, Liberal | Member of Parliament for Spadina 1981-1988 | Succeeded by: riding abolished in 1988 |
| Preceded by: first member, riding created in 1987 | Member of Parliament for Trinity—Spadina 1988-1993 | Succeeded by: Tony Ianno, Liberal |