John Brewin

Who is John Brewin?

John F. Brewin is a Canadian politician, who served as Member of Parliament for Victoria from 1988 to 1993. He is a member of the New Democratic Party, as was his father Andrew Brewin. He was married to Gretchen Brewin, who served concurrently as mayor of the city of Victoria. He married Patricia Thompson in 1997.

Brewin first ran for federal office in 1984 against veteran PC incumbent Allan McKinnon. He came in second in that election, losing by 4,108 or 8 per cent. McKinnon did not run again in the 1988 election, and Brewin won the riding easily over PC candidate Geoff Young. In 1993, he lost his attempt at re-election to Liberal David Anderson. He came in third, also behind the Reform Party candidate.

In 2002, he "raised eyebrows" in the media and the party when he correctly predicted that NDP leader Alexa McDonough would step down that year. He also correctly predicted the strength of the then-potential Jack Layton candidacy for the leadership.

Brewin now practises law for the Toronto firm of Ryder Wright Blair and Holmes.