Retiring Conservative Calgary MP Len Webber makes good on promise to late wife
They had fallen in love in the mid-1980s when they were both varsity athletes at Red Deer College in central Alberta.
Heather Macdonald-Webber was 47, and the couple had been married 23 years.
"She shed a tear knowing that she wasn't able to donate any of her organs," said Webber, a member of Parliament.
"I told her that it's OK. I will do what I can."
That promise turned into an effort to combine two of life's certainties: death and taxes.
Webber announced last month his retirement from politics, after 10 years as an Alberta Progressive Conservative legislature member and 11 years as the Conservative MP for Calgary Confederation.
"I'm not a spring chicken. I'm going to be 65 this year. If I went one more round, I'd be 69, 70-ish. And then what? 10 years of life?" said Webber.
"It was time to go now."
As he prepares to leave politics, one of Webber's defining legacies will be his advocacy for increasing Canada's rate of organ donations by offering a consent option on tax forms.
A lack of organ transplants continues to be a deadly issue. The Canadian Institute for Health Information says a third of Canadians on the transplant list were taken off in 2023 because they died while waiting.
As an Alberta MLA, Webber introduced a private member's bill to establish one agency to co-ordinate organ and tissue donations and set up a provincial organ donor registry.
In 2015, taking a narrow victory to federal office, he marched on by introducing a bill that would add a question to tax forms, signalling interest in becoming an organ and tissue donor. Those who wish to become donors would be contacted by their province for details on registration.
Years later, the bill passed unanimously through the House of Commons and was sent to the Senate to receive royal assent.
But an election was called in 2019, forcing the Senate to drop the matter and Webber to return to the start line.
"It was incredibly disappointing, because it took years to get where it was," he said.
Webber came back around for another shot after he was re-elected in 2019. His name, as he remembered, was the first pulled from a lottery determining "order of precedence" for considering private members' bills.
"It was just a sign that this was meant to pass," he said.
Once again, the bill passed with a unanimous vote across party lines and received royal assent in June 2021.
Because provinces are responsible for organ donations, many haven't yet agreed to add the checkbox on their tax forms. Ontario and Nunavut were the first to commit, starting in 2022. Alberta has said it's working on adding the box and B.C. added it this year.
"I've been lobbying them all," Webber said.
In 2023, about 2.5 million Ontario taxpayers indicated they were interested in becoming organ donors. In Nunavut, 3,900 taxpayers ticked the box.
"Hopefully, perhaps, I saved somebody's life because of this," said Webber.
Webber will also be remembered for triggering the revolt against former Alberta premier Alison Redford in 2014, as a controversy over her travel expenses dogged — and eventually ended — her leadership.
"She's really just not a nice lady," Webber famously said the day he resigned from caucus to sit as an Independent.
Redford resigned six days later.
"Some people give me a pat on the back for it," Webber recalled. "Sometimes you just need to do the right thing. I just saw too many times some negativity out of that leadership, so I could not be a part of it."
His retirement is likely to make for a competitive race in Calgary Confederation. Polls widely suggest the riding, with its long history of sending conservatives to Ottawa, will be a toss-up between the Liberals and Conservatives.
About six months before his wife died, Webber travelled with her to Hawaii so she could watch three people she coached run in the Honolulu Marathon. After her death, he ran it three times in her honour.
Whether he runs in the marathon again is up for debate. He didn't say what might come next.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Cision Canada
25 minutes ago
- Cision Canada
Canada Invests in Firefighting Training Français
OTTAWA, ON, Aug. 18, 2025 /CNW/ - Wildfire season is in full effect across much of Canada, and the Government of Canada is committed to supporting Canadians and ensuring our wildfire resilience, prevention, mitigation and recovery are best-in-call by strengthening our fire response capacity. Today, Corey Hogan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced an investment of $540,300 for two projects through the Government of Canada's Fighting and Managing Wildfires in a Changing Climate Program (FMWCC) – Training Fund. The funding includes: $335,000 to Yorkton Tribal Council in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, to support the training of 35 community members in wildland fire management, integrating traditional knowledge and cultural burning practices to address wildfire risk reduction and mitigation. $204,800 to the Rural Municipality of Piney, Manitoba, to support the training of up to 60 individuals from the Rural Municipality of Piney and Buffalo Point First Nation in basic wildland firefighting training and to strengthen local capacity for wildfire response. Through this investment, community members in Manitoba and Saskatchewan — two provinces that have faced severe wildfire conditions this year — will receive wildland firefighting training to enhance their communities' capacity to prepare and respond to wildfires. These investments will also equip people with the necessary skills and opportunities to pursue employment in wildland firefighting. The addition of these 95 trainees has us on track to train over 2,800 wildland firefighters in Canada, greatly surpassing our original target of training over 1,000 community members. Parliamentary Secretary Hogan also delivered the latest national wildfire forecast. Looking ahead, Environment and Climate Change Canada's weather forecasts point to above-average temperatures across much of Canada through August into September, with dry conditions continuing in the coming weeks, particularly in the west and north. Based on these weather forecasts, Natural Resources Canada's modelling predicts elevated wildfire danger for August across British Columbia, Yukon, the Northwest Territories and the Prairie provinces to Ontario, as well as parts of Atlantic Canada. In September, above normal activity is expected to continue across the west. As Canadians continue to face the impacts of wildfires, which are becoming more frequent and more intense, the Government of Canada remains committed to strengthening wildfire resilience, supporting those on the front lines and equipping communities to stay safe. Quotes "Wildfires pose a serious threat to the safety, health and economic well-being of communities across Canada. Today's announcement reflects our government's continued commitment to train Canadians to fight fire in their communities. This investment helps protect Canadian families, homes and the environment — now and in the future." The Honourable Tim Hodgson Minister of Energy and Natural Resources "As wildfires continue to threaten communities across the country, we're focused on making sure people have the support they need to stay safe. That means investing in firefighter training and helping volunteers build the skills to respond quickly and effectively. It's one part of our plan to build stronger, more-resilient communities across Canada." The Honourable Eleanor Olszewski Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada "Firefighters across Canada are showing extraordinary courage as they work to protect lives, homes, businesses and communities from devastating wildfires. Their bravery is saving lives and supporting impacted communities across the country. These fires are a direct and growing consequence of climate change — becoming more frequent, more intense and more destructive every year. That's why strengthening local firefighting capacity is essential to protecting the places we call home. Projects like this are critical as we confront the escalating threat of climate change together." The Honourable Julie Dabrusin Minister of Environment and Climate Change "Yorkton Tribal Council's participation in this training initiative marks an important step forward in wildfire planning, response and recovery. First Nation communities are among the most vulnerable to wildfires, especially as the threat of climate change grows stronger. First Nations are the only people who, with the combination of their traditional knowledge and access to specialized wildland firefighting training, will be able to secure and promote resilient communities across their territories." The Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty Minister of Indigenous Services "Canadians are currently on the front lines protecting their communities and neighbours from wildfires across the country. Through today's announcement, we're strengthening local firefighting capacity by investing in the training of new volunteers and community members. By investing in and delivering firefighting training, more people will be equipped to protect lives and respond to the growing threat of wildfires." Corey Hogan Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources "The Rural Municipality of Piney thanks Natural Resources Canada for its generous support, which will greatly enhance our firefighting capabilities and empower our volunteer firefighters through vital training. This funding arrives at a critical time, as our region and province face increasing wildfire risks driven by a changing climate and more-frequent forest fires. In partnership with Buffalo Point First Nation, we are building a stronger, safer and more-resilient community prepared to meet these growing challenges." Martin Van Osch Chief Administrative Officer, the Rural Municipality of Piney, Manitoba "As the Emergency Management Coordinator for Yorkton Tribal Council, I would like to express our extreme gratitude to Natural Resources Canada for the funding to move ahead with the project protecting our lands, especially now during one of the worst fire seasons in Saskatchewan. This funding will allow us to bring back our Indigenous cultures to preserve the landscapes and to mitigate wildfire risks and their impact within our communities." Emergency Management Coordinator, Yorkton Tribal Council Quick Facts Today's announcement is part of the federal government's FMWCC Training Fund, which is a $28-million investment to train more than 1,000 new, community-based wildland firefighters by 2028, focusing on Indigenous communities, to increase local fire management capacities and capabilities across Canada. The FMWCC Training Fund included a two-year pilot phase from 2022–2024 that supported 10 training projects valued at $8.2 million and helped inform the design and launch of the full Training Fund in 2024, which offered over $16 million to new applicants. The pilot supported the training of 294 firefighters and 116 fire guardians. The International Association of Fire Fighters Responding to the Interface program also upskilled 323 existing municipal structural firefighters. The FMWCC Equipment Fund was also launched in 2022 to support provinces and territories to purchase specialized wildfire firefighting equipment including personal protective equipment, vehicles, mobile units, hoses, pumps and enhanced communications equipment, many of which were used to combat wildfires last season. Through the FMWCC Equipment Fund, 12 agreements were signed with eligible jurisdictions, representing a total funding commitment of $254.3 million over five years. Visit for a complete list of links to various federal supports for individuals impacted by wildfires. Associated Links Follow Natural Resources Canada on LinkedIn.
an hour ago
Federal labour board deems Air Canada flight attendants' strike 'unlawful'
The independent tribunal that administers Canada's labour laws has deemed the strike by Air Canada's some 10,000 flight attendants illegal and is ordering workers back to the skies. In a decision released Monday morning, the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) said the defiance of a back-to-work order on Sunday by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is unlawful. The order calls on the union to cease all activities that declare or authorize an unlawful strike of its members and to direct the members of the bargaining unit to resume the performance of their duties by noon ET. The directive, written by CIRB vice-chairperson Jennifer Webster, also calls on the flight attendants themselves to resume their duties immediately. The decision comes after a hearing on Sunday following a frazzled weekend for travellers. Flight attendants walked off the job early Saturday morning, leading to hundreds of flight being grounded. Less than 12 hours later after the strike and lockout took effect, Ottawa intervened. Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu invoked a contentious section (new window) of the Canada Labour Code, asking the CIRB to send the two sides to binding arbitration and to order the airline and its flight attendants back to work in the meantime to maintain or secure industrial peace. Air Canada says it hopes service returns ASAP Air Canada announced early Sunday that it planned to resume flights in the evening, but just hours later, the union representing more than 10,000 flight attendants said in a statement that its members would remain on strike, defying the back-to-work order handed down by the CIRB. CUPE has accused the Liberal government of rewarding Air Canada's refusal to negotiate fairly by giving them exactly what they wanted. WATCH | PM on Air Canada flight attendants' strike: In a statement following the CIRB directive, Air Canada said it estimates 500,000 customers' flights have been cancelled as a result. Air Canada regrets this impact on its customers and is fully committed to returning to service as soon as possible, the airline said. On Monday, Prime Minister Mark Carney said it's important that flight attendants are compensated equitably at all times and called for quick resolution. It was the judgment of both the union and the company that they were at an impasse. That's not my judgment, that's their judgment, Carney said. So … we are in a situation where literally hundreds of thousands of Canadians and visitors to our countries are being disrupted by this action. He suggested Hajdu will have more to say later in the day. Air Canada and CUPE have been negotiating a new contract for flight attendants after the previous 10-year contract expired in March. CUPE says that wages, work rules and unpaid hours are the big issues in contention. According to CUPE, many duties performed by flight attendants prior to boarding and after deplaning, including performing required safety checks and assisting passengers, go unpaid under the current pay structure. Catharine Tunney (new window) · CBC News · Reporter Catharine Tunney is a reporter with CBC's Parliament Hill bureau, where she covers national security and the RCMP. She worked previously for CBC in Nova Scotia. You can reach her at With files from Racy Rafique
Cision Canada
an hour ago
- Cision Canada
Making health equal by investing in community projects Français
OTTAWA, ON, Aug. 18, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, announced over $3 million for 14 projects to make sure everyone has a fair chance to be healthy. By improving access to food and housing security, job stability, and better health outcomes, these projects, to be completed over the next two years, will help everyone in Canada reach their full health potential and live their healthiest life. Launched in 2021, the Intersectoral Action Fund (ISAF) supports communities to overcome complex public health challenges by strengthening their capacity to collaborate with community members, stakeholders and decision-makers to improve the social conditions that affect health, building the foundation for resilient communities. With the projects announced today, ISAF has now funded 57 projects to advance health equity and strengthen communities to face current and future health challenges across the country. Quotes "By giving everyone a fair chance to live a healthier life, we are not only improving individual well-being, we are also reducing health care costs, boosting productivity and building a stronger economy. These projects demonstrate the importance of working together to address the root causes of health inequities, so all Canadians can have the opportunity to live their healthiest life possible." The Honourable Marjorie Michel Minister of Health Quick Facts Social determinants of health are the social, economic and environmental factors that relate to an individual's place in society and determine individual and population health. This could include gender, race, income, education or employment. These determinants are shaped by the distribution of wealth, power and opportunities within and between populations. Intersectoral action refers to the ways that different groups and sectors of society work together to enhance the health of communities. ISAF helps communities strengthen their capacity for such action and address the social determinants of health and health inequities. Related Products Supporting projects to advance health equity Associated Links Intersectoral Action Fund SOURCE Public Health Agency of Canada
