Hedy Fry
- Born
- August 6, 1941 — San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago
- Family
- Has three adult sons and four grandchildren
- Education
- Equivalent of a BSc; medical training at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland
- Career
- Physician, St. Paul's Hospital (Vancouver) for 23 years, president of the British Columbia Federation of Medical Women in 1977, the Vancouver Medical Association from 1988 to 89, and the BC Medical Association from 1990 to 91. Chaired the Canadian Medical Association's Multiculturalism Committee from 1992 to 1999. Host on the nationally televised CBC show Doctor Doctor.
- Political Experience
- Elected to the House of Commons of Canada in 1993, re-elected in 1997, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2025. Served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Health and Welfare from 1993 until 1996 when she was appointed to the Cabinet as Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and Status of Women. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration with special emphasis on Foreign Credentials. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development with special emphasis on the Internationally Trained Workers Initiative. Official Opposition Critic for Canadian Heritage. Liberal Critic for Health. Member of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians. Member of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, and the Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic. Heads Canada's delegation to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's Parliamentary Assembly, and is the Special Representative for gender issues.
- Notable
- Canada's longest-serving female Member of Parliament. First person to unseat a sitting prime minister in their first run for office. Fifth person to unseat a sitting prime minister. Launched leadership campaign saying that Canada's diversity is its greatest competitive advantage - "our weapon of mass inclusion" - and called for a "non-ideological" approach to problem solving.
Based on publicly available information — may contain inaccuracies
Business & Financial Interests
Before entering federal politics in 1993, Hedy Fry had a long career in medicine. She worked as a family physician in Vancouver for two decades, practicing at St. Paul's Hospital. Her involvement in the medical community also included leadership roles. She served as the president of the Vancouver Medical Association, the British Columbia Medical Association, and chaired the Canadian Medical Association's Multiculturalism Committee. This background in healthcare has been a significant part of her public profile.
Key Relationships & Connections
As one of the longest-serving MPs, Hedy Fry has established relationships across several Liberal governments. She was appointed to cabinet by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, serving as Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and Status of Women. She continued to serve in a similar role under Prime Minister Paul Martin. Fry is also a prominent member of international parliamentary groups. She has held roles in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), including serving as a Special Representative on Gender Issues, which connects her with parliamentarians from across Europe, Central Asia, and North America.
Public Controversies
In 2001, Hedy Fry became the subject of a significant national controversy. During a debate in the House of Commons, she claimed that racist incidents were happening in Prince George, British Columbia, stating that "crosses are being burned on lawns as we speak." The statement was immediately challenged and strongly denied by the mayor of Prince George and the local RCMP, who said there was no evidence of any such events. Facing intense criticism and calls for her resignation from her cabinet post, Fry later issued a public apology. She stated that she had received the information from a mayor in a different British Columbia city and had misspoken. The incident generated widespread media coverage and remains a notable event in her political career.
Where Hedy falls on key policy spectrums
Your Money
People & Society
How We're Governed
Land & Community
How does Hedy Fry's voting record line up with your values?
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34(1), I have the honour to present to the House, in both official languages, the following reports. They are the Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly, 21st Autumn Meeting in Yerevan, Armenia, from November 18 to 20, 2023, and the Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and