Ray Skelly Explained

Ray Skelly
Office:Member of Parliament
Term Start:1979
Term End:1993
Successor:John Duncan
Constituency:
North Island—Powell River (1988–93)
Birth Name:Raymond John Skelly
Birth Date:1 July 1941
Birth Place:New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Death Place:Comox, British Columbia
Party:New Democratic Party
Profession:Teacher

Raymond John Skelly (July 1, 1941 – July 14, 2019) was a Canadian politician.

A teacher by profession, Skelly was first elected as the New Democratic Party Member of Parliament for Comox—Powell River in the 1979 federal election. He served for fourteen years until being defeated in the 1993 federal election in the renamed riding of North Island—Powell River. This defeat was partly in response to the electorate's dissatisfaction with the provincial government led by New Democratic Party Premier Mike Harcourt. As a result, 15 of 17 incumbent New Democratic Party parliamentarians failed in their re-election bids in 1993.[1]

During his time in Parliament, Skelly served as critic on several portfolios of particular concern to his constituents including economic development in Western Canada, fisheries, and mines & energy. He attempted a comeback in the 2000 federal election in Cariboo—Chilcotin but was defeated. He is the brother of fellow politician Bob Skelly, who served in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia and led the British Columbia New Democratic Party. In the 1988 federal election, Ray and Bob pulled off a rare feat with both elected to the 34th Parliament and are the most recent siblings to have served in Parliament together.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Tyee — Charting the Vote for Incumbents. thetyee.ca. July 17, 2016.
  2. Web site: NDP brothers in Quebec hoping for a sibling sweep. July 17, 2016.