Rod Sykes | |
|---|---|
| 30th Mayor of Calgary | |
| In office October 22, 1969 – October 31, 1977 | |
| Preceded by | Jack Leslie |
| Succeeded by | Ross Alger |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 19, 1929 Montreal, Quebec |
James Rodney Winter Sykes (born May 19, 1929)[1] is a Canadian politician. He served as the 30th Mayor of Calgary from 1969 to 1977 and as leader of the Alberta Social Credit Party from 1980 to 1982. He ran as a Liberal candidate in the 1984 federal election.
Early life
Sykes was born in 1929 in Montreal, Quebec, and was primarily raised in Victoria, British Columbia. He attended Sir George Williams University in Montreal. He also has a sister, Anne, who lives in Victoria.
Political career
Sykes served as mayor of Calgary from 1969 to 1977. He was defender of the underdog and the importance of financial safety nets for the needy, attacked corruption among the rich and powerful, and left office after ensuring Calgary would begin on LRT construction.[2] During his time as mayor, Calgary switched from the pro-rep (STV) system to plurality election in single-member wards.
Sykes was leader of the Alberta Social Credit Party from 1980 to 1982. He quit as party leader in 1982, frustrated by the party's internal and financial problems.
In 1984, he was nominated by Alan Clarke, Calgary East Federal Liberal Riding Association Vice President, to run for the Liberal Party for a seat in the House of Commons, in the riding of Calgary East. At the time this was the largest riding in Canada.
Sykes was acclaimed at a nomination meeting with over six-hundred members in attendance. Despite being the only Liberal candidate endorsed by the Calgary Sun that year, he lost to Progressive Conservative Alex Kindy in the general election.
Personal life
He and his wife Gisèle (Deceased) have five children and fourteen grandchildren.
Sykes was a long-time friend of professional wrestler and promoter Stu Hart.[3]
References
- ^ http://www.calgary.ca/DocGallery/BU/cityclerks/cmayors.pdf
- ^ Marshall, Thin Power
- ^ Marshall, Andy (2016). Thin Power: How former Calgary Mayor Rod Sykes stamped his brand on the city . . . And scorched some sacred cows. FriesenPress. ASIN B01IQ54CUE.
External links
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Jack Leslie | Mayor of Calgary 1969–1977 | Succeeded by Ross Alger |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by Robert Curtis Clark | Social Credit Party of Alberta Leader 1980–1982 | Succeeded by Martin Hattersley |