George Little (May 22, 1937 – May 15, 2021) was a Scottish-Canadian teacher and politician. He served as leader of the New Brunswick New Democratic Party (NDP) from 1980 to 1988.
George Little | |
|---|---|
| Leader of the New Brunswick New Democratic Party | |
| In office 1980–1988 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 22, 1937 Bellshill, Scotland |
| Died | May 15, 2021 (aged 83) Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada |
| Nationality | Scottish-Canadian |
| Political party | New Democratic |
| Spouse |
Pearl Floey Cassels (m. 1959) |
| Children | 2 |
| Occupation | teacher, politician |
Early life
editLittle was born in Bellshill, Scotland, on May 22, 1937, one of five children of George Sr. and Mary (Wyper).[1] He started his teaching career in Oban,[1] before relocating to South Yemen and Saudi Arabia.[2][3] He and his family immigrated to Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada in 1964.[4]
Career
editLittle was head of the English department at Simonds High School for more than three decades.[4][5] He was also the author of many published poems and short stories.[1] One of his books of short stories, The Many Deaths of George Robertson, was published by Goose Lane Editions in 1990.[6]
Politics
editLittle was elected leader of the provincial NDP in 1980.[5] During the provincial election two years later, the party ran on the platform of creating 17,000 jobs during their first year in power, a bill of rights for workers, affordable housing, cheaper energy, and the amelioration of education, healthcare, and transportation. A staunch advocate for environmental controls, Little was of the opinion that nuclear power was "expensive, risky, and not even necessary for our own power needs".[3] He stated that the construction of the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station "was a mistake, and we're determined that the same mistake should not be made again", in light of the four heavy water spills that occurred there during its first six months of operation.[3] However, he was forced to make a key concession to his party – who risked losing some of its traditional votes over the issue – which took a neutral stance on nuclear energy.[3] Under his leadership, the NDP received more than 10% of the province-wide vote for the first time and won seats in the legislative assembly for the first time.[4] It ultimately gained two seats, although one of their members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) ended up defecting to the Liberals.[5]
Little himself ran in the electoral district of Kings West in the 1978, 1982 and 1987 provincial elections, but failed to win a seat.[5] He stepped down as leader in 1988.[7] He also ran for the federal New Democratic Party in Fundy Royal in the 1980 federal election, but was defeated by Robert Corbett of the Progressive Conservative Party.[8]
Personal life
editLittle married Pearl Floey (Cassels) in 1958. They remained married for 62 years until his death. Together, they had two children: Jacqueline and Alison.[1][3]
Little died on May 15, 2021, at Saint John Regional Hospital in Saint John, New Brunswick. He was 83 years old.[4][9]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Obituary for George Little". Fundy Funeral Home. May 16, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
- ^ Harris, Michael, "Looking on the NDP's bright side," Globe and Mail, September 3, 1982
- ^ a b c d e Plaskin, Robert (October 10, 1982). "New Brunswick's NDP maybe only winner Oct. 12". United Press International. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
- ^ a b c d "George Little, former New Brunswick NDP leader, dead at 83". CBC News. May 16, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Story, Alan, "NDP leader is 'fired up' by support," Toronto Star, September 14, 2007
- ^ Little, George (1990). The Many Deaths of George Robertson. Goose Lane Editions. ISBN 9780864921246.
- ^ "NDP leader quits in New Brunswick," Globe and Mail, March 2, 1988
- ^ Library of Parliament FUNDY--ROYAL (1980/02/18), Election result
- ^ Perry, Brad (May 17, 2021). "Former N.B. NDP Leader Dies At 83". CKNI-FM. Retrieved May 18, 2021.