36 Facts About Lillian Thomas

Lillian Thomas was born on 1949 and was a city councillor in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada from 1989 until her retirement in 2010.

Lillian Thomas served on the council initially for Elmwood, and later for its successor ward of Elmwood-East Kildonan.

Lillian Thomas has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Lakehead University, and a Master of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Manitoba.

Lillian Thomas is married to Len Dalman, and they have a son, David.

Lillian Thomas was a long-time member of the New Democratic Party.

Lillian Thomas was first elected to Winnipeg City Council in the 1989 municipal election, defeating veteran councillor Alf Skowron in the Elmwood ward.

Re-elected in 1992, Lillian Thomas soon emerged as an opponent of new mayor Susan Thompson, who succeeded five-term incumbent Bill Norrie.

Lillian Thomas was appointed to both the Planning and Community Services Committee and the Protection, Parks and Culture Committee in 1993, when the left and right wings of council formed a temporary alliance to overturn Thompson's planned appointments.

Lillian Thomas opposed plans to build a new arena for the Winnipeg Jets hockey team in the mid-1990s.

Lillian Thomas criticized municipal expenditures on the Charleswood Bridge, and called for the project's funding to be redirected toward infrastructure renewal.

Lillian Thomas supported Sunday shopping with some restrictions, and endorsed a 1994 proposal to extend benefits to the same-sex partners of civic employees.

Lillian Thomas was re-elected in 1995 over a strong challenge from former councillor Ray Brunka.

Lillian Thomas was almost relieved of her three board positions in late 1996, as the result of a controversial process that many believe was politically motivated.

Lillian Thomas retained her positions with the Art Gallery board and medical advisory committee following a lengthy debate, but was removed from the Zoological Society.

Lillian Thomas sought to become deputy speaker of the Winnipeg City Council in late 1997, but lost to John Prystanski.

Lillian Thomas received an endorsement from the New Democratic Party in the 1998 election, and was re-elected under its banner over another challenge from Ray Brunka.

Lillian Thomas called for the number of city councillors to be increased in this period, arguing that Winnipeg is too large to be governed by only fifteen representatives.

Lillian Thomas opposed term limits for councillors, and described anti-mosquito fogging as a "necessary evil".

Lillian Thomas endorsed the principle of rent controls, after school trustee Mario Santos proposed their abolition.

In July 2001, Lillian Thomas announced a two million dollar investment in inner-city development with funding from the federal, provincial and municipal governments.

Lillian Thomas was re-elected in the 2002 municipal election, and retained her status as Deputy Mayor and her position on the Fiscal Issues Committee.

Lillian Thomas was a prominent supporter of Glen Murray's "new deal" plan for Winnipeg, and endorsed a full smoking ban in the city's public indoor spaces.

Lillian Thomas relinquished her responsibilities as Deputy Mayor in a November 2003 cabinet shuffle, and was appointed to oversee relations with the provincial government.

Murray indicated that he made this appointment because Lillian Thomas was trusted by members of Gary Doer's administration.

In 2004, Lillian Thomas encouraged Manitoba New Democratic Party members to maintain their policy of endorsing Winnipeg council and school board candidates.

Lillian Thomas supported Dan Vandal's bid to become his successor in the by-election that followed.

Lillian Thomas nevertheless retained her position in Katz's executive committee, and in October 2004 was shuffled to the position of Secretary for Urban Aboriginal Opportunities.

Lillian Thomas opposed Katz's plan to privatize municipal garbage collection in 2005, arguing that it would encourage private monopolies and drive prices upward in the long run.

Lillian Thomas was dropped from the city's executive in October 2005.

Lillian Thomas subsequently charged that Katz was stalling the creation of urban aboriginal reserves, and took the unusual step of releasing her report on the subject before it was submitted to committee.

Lillian Thomas later opposed the establishment of an Olywest pork production plant in Winnipeg's east end, and pressured the city to remove its financial incentives for the project.

Lillian Thomas later voted against a private-public partnership for Winnipeg's Disraeli Bridge and Freeway, and endorsed Jim Maloway's proposal to expand the bridge from four to six lanes.

Lillian Thomas opposed plans for Winnipeg to spend $7 million to subsidize a Canada Inns private water park, expressing concern that low-income residents would not be able to afford access to the site.

In September 2010, Lillian Thomas announced she would retire rather than seek reelection in the following month's municipal elections.

Lillian Thomas was succeeded on the council by Thomas Steen.

Lillian Thomas endorsed Bill Blaikie's bid for the federal New Democratic Party leadership in 2002.