Ernest Winch

Ernest Edward (Ernie) Winch (March 22, 1879 – January 11, 1957) was a socialist British Columbia politician, trade unionist and organizer. He served eight terms as a BC Co-operative Commonwealth Federation MLA in the British Columbia Legislative Assembly from 1933 until his death in 1957. He was the father of Harold Winch, who was the leader of the BC CCF from 1939 to 1953.

Biography Born in England, Winch's father was a master bricklayer. The younger Winch apprenticed in the trade. In 1899 he went to Australia briefly and returned again in 1903 but again went back to England. In 1909, he came to Canada with his young family.

Winch began studying socialism in 1910 and joined the Social Democratic Party of Canada the following year, becoming its provincial secretary by 1913.

He was an active member of various left-wing parties including the Socialist Party of Canada and the Independent Labour Party. He helped to re-establish the Socialist Party of Canada (British Columbia) in 1932, which then affiliated with the new Co-operative Commonwealth Federation. He also was a founder of the Association for the Protection of Fur-Bearing Animals.

Ernie Winch died on January 11, 1957. A Burnaby park is named after him.