Svend Robinson
Politician
Svend Robinson is a former Canadian member of Parliament who represented Burnaby-area constituencies for the New Democratic Party from 1979 to 2004, making him one of British Columbia’s longest-serving federal MPs. He became especially known for his work on human rights, LGBTQ+ equality, environmental issues, and assisted dying. [3]
Last updated
Career and work
Robinson was elected to the House of Commons in 1979 at age 27 and represented Burnaby-area constituencies for the New Democratic Party until 2004. During his 25 years in Parliament, he became known for work on human rights, LGBTQ+ equality, Indigenous rights, environmental protection, and assisted dying. He was also the first Canadian member of Parliament to come out as gay while in office. [4][3]
After leaving Parliament, Robinson continued working internationally on public-interest issues. He worked with Public Services International and later with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. In 2020–21, he served as the J.S. Woodsworth Resident Scholar at Simon Fraser University, where he taught and participated in public discussions on human rights and social justice. [5][3]
What has been publicly discussed
“They can live a full life with mental illness, but they have to listen to the warning signals.”
— Svend Robinson [2]
